Mila vs Molly
Mila and Mollycompared on official birth-registration statistics and Namewise's recorded data. This page states what each name's record shows — it never picks a winner or scores one name against the other.
Head to head
Ranks are only compared within one published list and one year. Two ranks from different years, from a boys' and a girls' list, or from different registrars are not comparable, so they are not placed side by side.
New Zealand · Girls
In 2023, Mila was ranked #11 and Molly #69 among girls in New Zealand.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
In 2025, Mila was ranked #80 and Molly #20 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
In 2021, Mila was ranked #22 and Molly #100 among girls in New South Wales, Australia.
Northern Ireland · Girls
In 2024, Mila was ranked #150 and Molly #28 among girls in Northern Ireland.
Scotland · Girls
In 2024, Mila was ranked #30 and Molly #68 among girls in Scotland.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2025, Mila was ranked #40 and Molly #120 among girls in England and Wales.
Norway · Girls
In 2025, Mila was ranked #102 and Molly #217 among girls in Norway.
Mila and Molly over time
Mila and Molly appear together in 6 published lists, across 105 years of shared records. Neither was ahead in more lists than the other.
The order between them changed and held in 3 of those lists — a change in that published list, never a claim that one name displaced the other.
Molly reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 6 of those lists, and Mila in none. Each position is a place inside its own list, so this compares when they peaked and never how high.
Counted list by list. Two names in the same published list are measured on the same scale in the same year, so those comparisons are real — but positions from different lists are not, so nothing here is combined into an overall standing.
How this pair is related
The relationship kinds these two qualify for, each under its own stated rule. Every one is drawn from a list they both appear in.
- One took the other's place near the top
In New Zealand · Girls, Mila moved into the top 50 at #31 in 2011 as Molly fell out of it to #53, having been #38 the year before.
- One moved ahead of the other
In 2018, Mila moved ahead of Molly in England and Wales · Girls — #74 and #58 the year before became #49 and #58.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Mila and Molly changed places 4 times in Norway · Girls between 2004 and 2025, ending at #102 and #217.
- Longest-running competitions
Mila and Molly were both ranked in England and Wales · Girls for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025, ending at #40 and #120.
List by list
England and Wales · Girls30 shared years, 1996–2025
Mila held the stronger position in 8 of those years, Molly in 22.
Highest recorded here: Mila #35 in 2023, Molly #15 in 2001.
The order changed in 2018: Mila moved ahead. In 2017 they stood at #74 and #58; by 2018 that had become #49 and #58.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Mila #40, Molly #120.
Republic of Ireland · Girls23 shared years, 2002–2025
Mila held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Molly in 23.
Highest recorded here: Mila #58 in 2022, Molly #18 in 2019.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Mila #80, Molly #20.
Norway · Girls19 shared years, 2004–2025
Mila held the stronger position in 13 of those years, Molly in 6.
Highest recorded here: Mila #82 in 2019, Molly #167 in 2011.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Mila #102, Molly #217.
Northern Ireland · Girls14 shared years, 2011–2024
Mila held the stronger position in 0 of those years, Molly in 14.
Highest recorded here: Mila #72 in 2018, Molly #20 in 2014.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Mila #150, Molly #28.
New Zealand · Girls11 shared years, 2010–2023
Mila held the stronger position in 10 of those years, Molly in 1.
Highest recorded here: Mila #4 in 2022, Molly #38 in 2010.
The order changed in 2011: Mila moved ahead. In 2010 they stood at #84 and #38; by 2011 that had become #31 and #53.
Most recent shared year, 2023: Mila #11, Molly #69.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls8 shared years, 2011–2021
Mila held the stronger position in 7 of those years, Molly in 1.
Highest recorded here: Mila #21 in 2020, Molly #53 in 2011.
The order changed in 2012: Mila moved ahead. In 2011 they stood at #73 and #53; by 2012 that had become #58 and #61.
Most recent shared year, 2021: Mila #22, Molly #100.
Two names moving past each other in a ranking is a fact about the ranking. Namewise does not claim one name displaced the other, that families chose between them, or that either influenced the other — none of that is in this data.
Side by side
| Field | Mila | Molly |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Official statistical record (evidence-only) |
| Gender usage | female | female |
| Meaning | Commonly interpreted as 'gracious, dear', from the Slavic element milu. Originally used as a short form of longer names containing that element before becoming an independent given name. | Not yet recorded |
| Origin | Slavic | Not yet recorded |
| Pronunciation | /ˈmi.ɫa/ | |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Not yet recorded |
| Recorded regional usage | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO, NZ | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO, NZ |
| Most recent popularity observation | New South Wales, Australia · Girls #21 (2025) | Republic of Ireland · Girls #20 (2025) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | 90/100 | Not yet recorded |
| Spelling simplicity (demonstration score) | 95/100 | 94/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Mila has a recorded origin (Slavic); Molly does not have one recorded yet.
- Mila and Molly both have 2 syllables.
- A meaning is recorded for Mila; Molly doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO, NZ.
How each name got here
Mila
Popularity journey
First recorded1981
First recorded at #653 among girls in Norway in 1981 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Girls
Highest recorded2010–2023
Highest recorded position: #4 among girls in New Zealand, in 2022 (recorded 2010–2023).
New Zealand · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #40 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls
Molly
Popularity journey
First recorded1989
First recorded at #408 among girls in Republic of Ireland in 1989 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
Highest recorded1996–2025
Highest recorded position: #15 among girls in England and Wales, in 2001 (recorded 1996–2025).
England and Wales · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #120 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls