Mollye is a unique and charming female given name of Irish origin. It is derived from the Irish surname "Ó Maoliosa," which is believed to mean "descendant of Maoliosa." Maoliosa was an early Christian saint whose name means "servant of God."
The name Mollye has a rich history that dates back to ancient Ireland. It is thought to have been first used as a given name in the 17th century, although it may have been used earlier as a surname or diminutive form of other names such as Mary or Molly.
Throughout history, many notable figures have borne the name Mollye. One of the most famous was Molly Yore (also spelled Molly O'Ree), who was born into slavery in Maryland around 1823. She escaped slavery and became a prominent abolitionist and women's rights activist in the mid-19th century.
Today, Mollye remains a unique and distinctive name that is often associated with Irish heritage or culture. Despite its long history, it is still relatively rare compared to more popular names such as Emma or Olivia. However, for those who choose this name, Mollye offers a beautiful blend of tradition and uniqueness that sets it apart from other names.
In terms of pronunciation, Mollye is typically pronounced /məˈliː/ in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), which sounds like "ma-LEE." It rhymes with words such as jelly or alley.
The statistics provided show the annual number of births for the name Mollye in the United States from 1891 to 1997. Over this period, there were a total of 388 babies named Mollye.
During these years, the popularity of the name Mollye varied significantly. The highest number of births occurred in 1912 and 1917 with 12 births each year. Conversely, there were only 5 births in several years such as 1906, 1936, 1941, and others.
The data shows a noticeable decrease in the popularity of the name Mollye after the late 1980s, with most years having fewer than 10 births. However, it's important to note that population growth and changing naming trends could also contribute to these fluctuations.
These statistics offer an interesting snapshot into the history of the name Mollye in the United States over a century ago, providing insight into how names can shift in popularity over time.