Proper noun

1. An English and Irish pet name for Mary, also used as a formal given name.

Quotations

• 1866 Elizabeth Gaskell: Wives and Daughters: Chapter 6:

  "My name's Molly. It is an old-fashioned name, and I was christened Mary. But Papa likes Molly."

  "That's right. Keep to the good old fashions, dear."

  "Well, I must say I think Mary is prettier than Molly, and quite as old a name, too," said Mrs Hamley.

  "I think it was," said Molly, lowering her voice, and dropping her eyes, "because mamma was Mary, and I was called Molly when she lived."