Molly Petersen

Name meaning, origin and global statistics

Molly Petersen — beloved
85K People worldwide
United States Most common in
1970s Peak popularity
Gender
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Molly Petersen is a name that combines English origins. The first name Molly is a feminine given name of English origin. Molly (also spelled Molli or Mollie) is a diminutive of the feminine name Mary that, like other English hypocorisms in use since the Middle Ages, substituted l for r. Molly evolved from the English diminutive Mally. English surnames such as Moll, Mollett, and Mollison are derived from Molly. Molly has also been used as a diminutive of Margaret and Martha since the 1700s and as an independent name since at least 1720. The surname Petersen: Adolf Dahm-Petersen, Norwegian voice specialist Anja Petersen, German operatic soprano and university lecturer Anker Eli Petersen, Faroese writer and artist Arona Petersen, (1908-1995), author, chef and businesswoman from the Virgin Islands Christina Petersen (born 1974), German actress Devon Petersen (born 1986), South African darts player Elmer Petersen, American artist Eugen Petersen (1836-1919), German classical archaeologist and philologist Gustaf Munch-Petersen, Danish writer and painter John Hahn-Petersen, Danish actor Josef Petersen, Danish novelist Patrick Petersen, American actor Pau. Molly is a distinctive first name, carried by approximately 85K people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Molly reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Molly

Meaning: beloved

English

Molly (also spelled Molli or Mollie) is a diminutive of the feminine name Mary that, like other English hypocorisms in use since the Middle Ages, substituted l for r. Molly evolved from the English diminutive Mally. English surnames such as Moll, Mollett, and Mollison are derived from Molly. Molly has also been used as a diminutive of Margaret and Martha since the 1700s and as an independent name since at least 1720.

Surname: Petersen

Scandinavian

Adolf Dahm-Petersen, Norwegian voice specialist Anja Petersen, German operatic soprano and university lecturer Anker Eli Petersen, Faroese writer and artist Arona Petersen, (1908-1995), author, chef and businesswoman from the Virgin Islands Christina Petersen (born 1974), German actress Devon Petersen (born 1986), South African darts player Elmer Petersen, American artist Eugen Petersen (1836-1919), German classical archaeologist and philologist Gustaf Munch-Petersen, Danish writer and painter John Hahn-Petersen, Danish actor Josef Petersen, Danish novelist Patrick Petersen, American actor Pau.

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Geographic Distribution

The first name Molly is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

United States 51%
United Kingdom 27%
Australia 13%
Canada 10%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Molly by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
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Notable People Named Molly Petersen

People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.

Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Molly Petersen:

8
Expression Number

Ambition and material success. Represents power, business acumen and the drive to achieve significant goals.

3
Soul Urge Number

Creativity and self-expression. Associated with artistic flair, optimism and sociability — a natural communicator.

5
Personality Number

Freedom and adaptability. A dynamic, versatile personality that embraces change and seeks new experiences.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name Molly?
The first name Molly originates from English. Molly (also spelled Molli or Mollie) is a diminutive of the feminine name Mary that, like other English hypocorisms in use since the Middle Ages, substituted l for r. Molly evolved from the English diminutive Mally. English surnames such as Moll, Mollett, and Mollison are derived from Molly. Molly has also been used as a diminutive of Margaret and Martha since the 1700s and as an independent name since at least 1720.
When was Molly most popular?
The name Molly reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
What is the origin of the surname Petersen?
The surname Petersen originates from Scandinavian. Adolf Dahm-Petersen, Norwegian voice specialist Anja Petersen, German operatic soprano and university lecturer Anker Eli Petersen, Faroese writer and artist Arona Petersen, (1908-1995), author, chef and businesswoman from the Virgin Islands Christina Petersen (born 1974), German actress Devon Petersen (born 1986), South African darts player Elmer Petersen, American artist Eugen Petersen (1836-1919), German classical archaeologist and philologist Gustaf Munch-Petersen, Danish writer and painter John Hahn-Petersen, Danish actor Josef Petersen, Danish novelist Patrick Petersen, American actor Pau.
What are the origins of the name Molly Petersen?
The name Molly Petersen combines two different traditions: the first name Molly has English roots, while the surname Petersen originates from Scandinavian.
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