Molly in Chinese
Molly in Chinese is 莫莉 (Mò Lì).
- Origin
- Hebrew/Irish
- Meaning
- beloved
Etymologically, Molly is Hebrew/Irish and is commonly glossed as "beloved". It has been in continuous US use since Social Security records begin in 1880, peaking in the 1990s. Names sharing the same root meaning include David, Amy.
3 ways to write Molly
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
莫莉
Mò Lì
The standard transliteration of Molly: 莫 (mò, "do not (phonetic 'mo')"), 莉 (lì, "jasmine"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
Syllable by syllable: 莫 (mò) carries "mol", 莉 (lì) carries "ly". The tone contour is 4-4 (falling, falling).
Character breakdown
21 strokes total (simplified)- 莫
mò
Tone 4 · 11 strokes (simplified)
do not (phonetic 'mo')
- 莉
lì
Tone 4 · 10 strokes (simplified)
jasmine
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
乐瑶
Lè Yáo
Inspired by "beloved": 乐 (lè, "joy, happiness; music") + 瑶 (yáo, "precious jade"), expressing love, joy and blessings.
Why these characters?
The idea of "beloved" behind Molly is rendered by 乐, "joy, happiness; music"; 瑶, "precious jade", completes it.
Character breakdown
19 strokes total (simplified)- 乐
lè
Tone 4 · 5 strokes (simplified)
joy, happiness; music
- 瑶
yáo
Tone 2 · 14 strokes (simplified)
precious jade
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Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
茉欣
Mò Xīn
茉 (mò, "jasmine (茉莉)") + 欣 (xīn, "joyful, glad"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
Instead of the purely phonetic 莫, this uses 茉 (mò, "jasmine (茉莉)") for the "mol" sound, then 欣 ("joyful, glad") for meaning.
Character breakdown
16 strokes total (simplified)- 茉
mò
Tone 4 · 8 strokes (simplified)
jasmine (茉莉)
- 欣
xīn
Tone 1 · 8 strokes (simplified)
joyful, glad
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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Recent US usage of Molly
In the Social Security Administration’s 2020–2025 snapshot, Molly ranked 193 among names recorded for girls, with 9,221 registrations in that group across the period. These are US birth-name records, rather than search counts or a ranking of Chinese names. The period covers part of a decade; it is not a final ranking for the whole 2020s.
Compare the dated figures in the SSA’s official 2020s name table. This snapshot was checked on 2026-10-15; any historical figures on this page describe their own stated period.
Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 163,300 girls named Molly since 1880, with the high point in 1991 (4,651 births) and the busiest decade being the 1990s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #80 to #166 among girls.
- Peak year
- 1991
- Peak decade
- 1990s
- First year
- 1880
- Total since 1880
- 163,300
More About Molly in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Molly offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Molly, you'll find options that work for you.
Names with the same root meaning include David in Chinese, and Amy in Chinese, which share similar origins or meanings.
If you're exploring Chinese names for girls, you might also be interested in David in Chinese, Amy in Chinese, and Lillian in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Alexa in Chinese, April in Chinese, Charlotte in Chinese, Audrey in Chinese, and Madeline in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Molly, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Molly to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
How is Molly translated into Chinese?
莫莉 (Mò Lì), identical in simplified and traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
How many strokes does 莫莉 have?
21 strokes in simplified form; per character: 莫 11, 莉 10.
How popular is the name Molly?
US Social Security records show 163,300 girls named Molly since 1880, with the high point in 1991 (4,651 births) and the busiest decade being the 1990s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #80 to #166 among girls.