Molly is a medieval diminutive of Mary, now often used independently. It developed from earlier forms such as Malle and Molle, which were common pet names for Mary in the Middle Ages. The substitution of 'r' for 'l' was a typical feature of English hypocorisms; as noted, Mally (a variant of Mary) became Molly, just as Mary became Polly or Sally. The name has been recorded as an independent given name since at least 1720, and corresponding surnames like Moll, Mollett, and Mollison derive from it. Through time, Molly was not only used as a contraction for Mary but also for names such as Margaret and Martha. It became especially popular in the American public sphere during the 20th century, enhanced by representations such as James Joyce’s ’Ulysses’ from 1922. In the novel, Molly Bloom is the wife of the main character. Furthermore, legendary figures like Molly Pitcher, a heroine from the American Revolutionary War, contributed to establishing the name’s widespread recognition, particularly among Irish-American and Jewish-American families looking for an English variant of names like Miriam or Malka.