Molly in Chinese
Origin: Hebrew/Irish
Meaning: beloved
The standard Chinese transliteration of Molly, pronounced Mò Lì. The characters are chosen for sound: 莫 (mò, "do not (phonetic 'mo')"), 莉 (lì, "jasmine"). Native speakers will immediately recognize it as the name Molly.
Character Breakdown
Note: Reads as the name "Molly" to native speakers; the characters are chosen for sound, so don't expect a poetic meaning. Use a proper calligraphy font and have a native speaker check the final stencil (stroke order and orientation).
A Chinese-style given name inspired by the meaning of Molly ("beloved"), expressing love, joy and blessings: 嘉 (jiā, "excellent, praiseworthy") + 怡 (yí, "joyful, harmonious").
Character Breakdown
Note: A meaning-based Chinese given name; it will not sound like your English name, so pair it with an explanation if that matters to you. Use a proper calligraphy font and have a native speaker check the final stencil (stroke order and orientation).
Opens with 茉 (mò, "jasmine (茉莉)"), which echoes the first sound of Molly (Mò), and adds 瑶 (yáo, "precious jade") for love, joy and blessings. It reads like a natural Chinese given name with a nod to your English one.
Character Breakdown
Note: Looks and sounds like a genuine Chinese given name while still echoing your name; a popular choice for tattoos. Traditional form 茉瑤 differs from simplified 茉瑶; pick one script and keep it consistent. Use a proper calligraphy font and have a native speaker check the final stencil (stroke order and orientation).
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you write Molly in Chinese?
The most common way is 莫莉 (traditional: 莫莉), pronounced Mò Lì. This is the standard phonetic transliteration you would see in Chinese media and translations.
What does 莫莉 mean?
莫莉 is a sound-based transliteration, so as a whole it simply means "Molly". Individually: 莫 (mò) = do not (phonetic 'mo'); 莉 (lì) = jasmine. If you want real meaning, try 嘉怡 (Jiā Yí), inspired by the meaning of Molly: "beloved".
Which Chinese name for Molly is best for a tattoo?
Choose 莫莉 if you want people to recognize your name, 嘉怡 if you prefer meaning over sound, or 茉瑶 for a natural-sounding Chinese name that still echoes Molly. Whatever you pick, use a calligraphy font and ask a native speaker to check the final design.