molly
/ˈmɒli/
noun
Origin
English
Mary — Diminutive of Mary
Overview
Meaning Now
- A diminutive form of the female given name Mary.
- A species of small, live-bearing freshwater fish in the genus Poecilia.
- Slang term for the pure crystalline powder form of MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine).
Language path
Proto-Indo-European → Hebrew → Latin → Old French → Middle English → English
Earliest form
Molly
Earliest period
16th century
Journey
The name Molly originated as a nickname for Mary, following a phonetic pattern common in English diminutives where the rhotic 'r' was replaced by a lateral 'l' (similar to Sall from Sarah or Hal from Harry). By the 18th century, 'molly' was also used as a colloquialism for a person, often pejoratively for men considered effeminate.
Evolution
- Late Latin
Maria
“From Hebrew Miryam”
- Middle English
Molle
“A nickname for Mary”
Common shift from 'r' to 'l' in English hypocoristics
- 17th century
Molly
“Common name for a woman of lower status”
Often used in literary works as a generic name
- 20th century
Molly
“Small aquarium fish (Poecilia)”
Shortened from the generic name Mollienesia
- 21st century
Molly
“MDMA”
Derived from the word 'molecular'
Connections
Word parts
Moll
root
hypocoristic of Mary
-y
suffix
diminutive
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Related to molly
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.