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ArchivesRe: the name molly -origins
in reply to a message by mikheala
I have no idea whether or not Molly can be connected with Mael. Someone who is an expert on medieval Irish names would have to comment.
But I think you are confused about the "wished for child" interpretation. I do not think that Mary or Molly ever were used in Ireland as part of a phrase with that meaning. "Wished for child" is one of the theories on what Miriam, the Old Testament name Mary is derived from, might have meant in ancient Hebrew. And it is one of the more recent ideas put forth by scholars of ancient Hebrew. The "sea of bitterness" idea mentioned on this site is probably the oldest interpretation, though the "sea" part of that may come from confusing it with the Latin word for sea, mare. I don't think Christians would have interpreted Mary or Miriam as "wished for child" in the 17th century or before.
In any event, the interpretation of "wished for child" certainly has nothing to do with any association of Mary with "devotion" in Ireland.
But I think you are confused about the "wished for child" interpretation. I do not think that Mary or Molly ever were used in Ireland as part of a phrase with that meaning. "Wished for child" is one of the theories on what Miriam, the Old Testament name Mary is derived from, might have meant in ancient Hebrew. And it is one of the more recent ideas put forth by scholars of ancient Hebrew. The "sea of bitterness" idea mentioned on this site is probably the oldest interpretation, though the "sea" part of that may come from confusing it with the Latin word for sea, mare. I don't think Christians would have interpreted Mary or Miriam as "wished for child" in the 17th century or before.
In any event, the interpretation of "wished for child" certainly has nothing to do with any association of Mary with "devotion" in Ireland.
This message was edited 9/14/2009, 5:31 AM
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