Calligraphy: Molaise Og, in Angular Half-uncial script

The name breaks down into two Irish words, Mo Laise: Mo, meaning "my", and Laise, which is a proper name possibly related to the word for a calf. The final syllable is pronounced "sh" as in the name, Sean.

The prefix, Mo, is the equivalent of "my dear... " , and this affectionate diminutive, to use the technical name for it, is often used in the names of early Celtic saints. Another example is Mogue, whic, as Mo-Aedh-og, is the name Aedh, preceded by My, and followed by "Og", meaning "young", as in, "my dear young Aedh". 

Molaise was a common name in sixth century Ireland and Scotland. There was a Molaise of Devenish, and another - or possibly the same man - of Innismurray, off the coast of Donegal; there was a different Molaise of Arran, off the North East, with links to Iona, and an Abbot Laisrean of Iona, also. 

The latin form of the name of both Molaise and Laisrean (pro. Lazrann) is Laserian.