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Original poster

What's Molly short for?

16 replies

GrumbleBee · 02/01/2011 21:07

Mary?
Margaret?
Anything else?

Does it have to be short for anything?

Am not due for a few more weeks, but I'm suffering from chronic Late Pregnancy Indecision :)

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ivykaty44 · 02/01/2011 21:08

millicent

CountessVonKnackerstein · 02/01/2011 21:09

Margaret.

(as in the children's book character Milly Molly Mandy, her full name is Millicent Margaret Amanda)

ValiumTinselton · 02/01/2011 21:10

In the old days, Mary, but now, anything begining with M with an l in it too? Melissa? Mildred, Millicent, Emilia, Melanie?

Actually, Melanie is much nicer than Molly. Has a bit more to it.

moomaa · 02/01/2011 21:11

I have a Molly who is just called Molly, not short for anything. Other Molly's I have come across are just Molly too. I think it used to be a standard shortening for Mary until it fell out of favour in the 30s.

amistillsexy · 02/01/2011 21:11

Milly-Molly-Mandy's real name is
Millicent-Margaret-Amanda so i suppose that makes Molly short for Margaret (in the Nice White Cottage with the Thatched Roof, that is Grin ).

Clary · 02/01/2011 21:11

Traditionally, Mary, but yes, Margaret in Milly Molly Mandy.

It's a name in its own right now, surely. I know a fair number of Mollys or Mollies and I don't think any of them are short for anything.

Teela · 02/01/2011 21:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

amistillsexy · 02/01/2011 21:12

Sorry, Countess, X-post

sharbie · 02/01/2011 21:13

nn is 1 letter longer than proper name

Hulababy · 02/01/2011 21:13

My DD is called Mollie and it isn't short for anything. Mollie has been a name in its own right for over 100 years.

Mollie/Molly can be a pet form of Mary or short for Margaret too.

southeastastra · 02/01/2011 21:15

my nan's nickname in the 20s was molly but her real name was lilian

thereisalightanditnevergoesout · 02/01/2011 21:15

Mary - but I think Margaret, too (I think that was Moll Flanders' given name).

Original poster
GrumbleBee · 02/01/2011 21:35

Ah, I knew Mumsnet wouldn't let me down!

Valium, I guess I'd think of Mildred, Emilia, Millicent being Milly, but I like the Melissa suggestion!

Sounds like Molly just on its own is good enough! Maybe I'm just lily-gilding.

And of course, how could I forget Milly-Molly-Mandy? Will have to come up with a Little Friend Susan from somewhere :)

OP posts:
Original poster
GrumbleBee · 02/01/2011 21:37

And Moll Flanders is certainly a namesake I hadn't thought of! :)

OP posts:
ShoppingDays · 03/01/2011 00:32

Mary

ThatVikRinA22 · 03/01/2011 00:39

i have a 13yr old Molly. she is just Molly. and she is gorgeous.

never occured to me to have it as a shortened version of another name.

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