Mumsnet Talk

Molly. Or is it a fad name that will date quite quickly. I ask because it's a name that's been around for years but is rarely referred to as a classic as, say, Catherine or Elizabeth are. I really want to avoid a name that will sound dated in a few years time. Ta.

No I don't think its a classic. I also think its pretty dated already - sorry!
What about Polly or Holly?

Why not go for Mary with Molly as a nn?

mary classic
molly not so much

Molly was popular a while ago so already a bit dated in my opinion.

But if you like it then use it!

I think it's already a bit dated, sorry. I haven't heard of any recently. The youngest one I know is 7.

Although already being 'dated' may work in your favour - you could be the one to revive it

My 7 yr old is Polly, she has had at least two Mollys in every nursery/ class/ rainbows/ swim class she has been to.

I've got about 14 mollys in my brownie pack at the moment (slight exageration)

I also can't picture them as 40 year olds called molly???

I had a Great Aunt Molly. She was very elegant. I always thought her name and her elegance were juxtaposed.

I like Molly. I can imagine a 40 year old Molly.

Molly is not considered classic like Catherine or Elizabeth because they are "upstairs" names and Molly is a "downstairs" name. It's more of a nn than a real name.

Molly is a nickname for Mary, which is a classic name.

A downstairs name? you mean like a maids name?

That's what it means usualsuspect, yes.

I personally think it is a lovely name, and know many Mollys, so please don't think I'm being derogatory. But, yes, traditionally Molly and such names were serving girl's names.

I know a 60 year old Molly but strangely, no little ones.

It's a pretty name!

Have I slipped into a time warp?

<jumps to the left>

<steps to the right>

<fires up DeLorean and transports self back to 2012>

I prefer Polly to Molly, although both are lovely names.

Molly is a nice name, it's been around for years so it could be called classic as it's stood the test of time. I don't understand a name being "dated". Surely if a name is fashionable it would mean it was common and therefore not one to choose? If Molly is a "dated" name it seems a very good reason to choose it to me.

well said, Haircare!

Molly is lovely and whether it's going through s resurgence or not, if you like it, you should use it.

<Disclaimer: has an Aunt Molly who is in her 90s>

Molly Weasley - the only member of the Order of the Phoenix shown using the killing curse.

It's not exactly a classic (probably because of its history as a nn), but I like it, and think it does work at all ages.

I think it is a name which has gone and come back into popularity rather than one which has been consistently popular.

It has a kind of Victorian vibe to me and I do like it but I think it could end up a little dated to the current trend of all the Millies, Maisies, Maddies etc.

To me a classic is a name that has enduring popularity. Names that come and go on the popularity front are therefore not classics. That doesn't mean they aren't nice names, it just means you may be able to easily guess when a person was born if they were named when the name is popular.