Molly as a form of or nn to Mary

jmay4

Sadly and unexpectedly, my mother-in-law passed away on the weekend of a heart attack.  It has been a rough week for us.  I am now consumed with figuring out how to honor her if this baby is a girl.

The name Molly has always been on my list and I've loved it for a long time.  My MIL's name was Mary.  Since Molly is an old nn of Mary, I think it may be a neat way honor her, but I wonder if that is common knowledge to most people or will I constantly have to explain to pp that Molly is a form of Mary, to honor her Grandmother who she wasn't able to meet?  Just wanted your thoughts on that.

Otherwise Mary is an easy name I could put in the mn slot or as a second mn, but thought Molly was a cute alternative.

rrcraz7

I have never heard that so I probably wouldn't make the connection. Mary as a middle name would is nice and goes with most first names.

scoutkate

I always thought the Mary/Molly connection was pretty well known.

That said, I adore the name Mary and would encourage to use it even if you call her Molly.  I also think Mary almost always works best as a fn.  I know some people on this board are against, but I see nothing wrong with a child being called by her mn. 

I also think it's lovely that you plan to honor your MIL this way.  I'm very sorry for your loss.

evaazalea

I have heard that, to me it is the same as having a John and calling him Jack. I have no experience with this and don't know if it would be a hassle or not but someone on this board does have a DS with the John/Jack name so hopefully she can weigh in for you. 

JaneGold

It may be a traditional nickname but I don't think most will make that connection.

From someone whose parents gave her a totally nonsensical nickname that she had to explain her entire life (think, nn Rachel for full name Charlotte Rebecca) - I would recommend you just name your child what you want to actually call her. Molly Mary Lastname would be a lovely name and would still honor your MIL.

I'm sorry for your loss.

BLPL101

I've never heard that Molly is a NN for Mary so I wouldn't have made that connection. I'm really sorry for your loss.

LoCarb

I haven't heard of the NN Molly for Mary either. I always thought of Molly as a stand alone name. That being said I really like the name.

I'm sorry to hear about your MIL passing.

LMK613

my BFF from high school was named Mary, but called Molly.

after she got married she legally changed her name to Molly because NO ONE knew her as Mary & it was a pain when trying to explain it to others.

I think both names are beautiful on their own as stand alone names, so you can't really go wrong.  Good luck with your choice! 

austenreader85

I always thought that Mary nn Molly was a pretty well known thing.  It came about when Mary was the number 1 girl name for centuries.  Just like Peggy for Margaret.  Not terribly common now and it has made it's way to the stand alone spot but it doesn't mean you can't do it.

I see this quite differently than calling them by middle name because that's the name you want but feel like you have to honor someone with the first name.  You could also just name her Molly and tell family that she is named after MIL since Molly is a variation of Mary.  Either way, a great name!

plunderb

I agree that Mary nn Molly is pretty commonly known, just like John/Jack, Robert/Bob, William/Bill, etc.

I'd use Mary as a fn w/ nn Molly.

Wufroggy79

I had never heard the Molly and Mary connection.

queenbone

plunderb:

I agree that Mary nn Molly is pretty commonly known, just like John/Jack, Robert/Bob, William/Bill, etc.

I'd use Mary as a fn w/ nn Molly.

This.  I love Mary and Molly.  I would totally side eye the name Molly Mary Lastname because it is redundant IMO.

miblue

plunderb:

I agree that Mary nn Molly is pretty commonly known, just like John/Jack, Robert/Bob, William/Bill, etc.

I'd use Mary as a fn w/ nn Molly.

 This. I think if you're from a Catholic upbringing it's more common knowledge that they're nn's for the more formal name.

 I'd definitely go with Mary and use the nn Molly. 

Sharon&Paul

I thought Molly was short fro Margaret. I love the name Molly and considered it many times.

jmay4

Thanks ladies - I would use Molly as a first name OR Mary as a middle name ... never both together.  And you're right, I could always just say "she's named after her grandmother" and not have to elaborate.  It's high on our list so we will see!