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[Opinions] Mary
by Wisteria (Tawnee)
4/7/2015, 3:38 PM
My mom's name was Mary. She passed away this past January. If I ever have a daughter, I know I want to honor her with the name. Before I've always thought I'd use Mary as a middle name, but I'm actually thinking of using it as a first name. I feel like Mary as a FN would be somewhat refreshing these days. So what are some middle names that go well with Mary? My naming style is very eclectic. I like classics, but I also like some pretty out there names too, so feel free to throw anything at me. :)
http://www.behindthename.com/pnl/72895"It is human nature to think wisely and act in an absurd fashion." ~ Anatole France
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Replies

- Gingersnap (Ranchie)
4/9/2015, 7:41 PM
I agree that Mary would be a refreshing first name today. I'd love to meet a little Mary. Mary Louise
Mary Rose
Mary Isobel
Mary Sage
Mary Fiona
Mary Grace
Mary Katherine
Mary Frances
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- autumn23
4/9/2015, 6:05 PM
Mary is lovely. It'd be great to see Mary used in this day.Mary Katherine
Mary Elizabeth
Mary Luneth
Mary Luna
Mary Nova
Mary Isabel
Mary Belisent
Mary Annalena
Mary Regina
Mary Frost
Mary Wildflower
Mary Wilhelmina
Mary Elodie
Mary Louise
Mary Ivana
Mary Anneliese
Mary Saskia
Mary Robina
Mary Juliet
Mary Julietta
Mary Bernadette
Mary Vivienne
Mary Petula
Mary Rosita
Mary Pilar
Mary Odette
Mary Celeste
Mary Cadenza

This message was edited 4/9/2015, 10:02 PM

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- Genevieve   +3
4/8/2015, 5:07 PM
I love Mary, especially as the first part of a double name (I'm Southern and I'm Catholic, so . . .). I think pairing Mary with something a little spicier as a MN is fantastic.Mary Magnolia
Mary Ophelia
Mary Elspeth
Mary Zelda
Mary Natasha
Mary Jessamine
Mary Keturah
Mary Gwendolen
Mary October
Mary TallulahI have a (not so) secret love for Mary+boy's name as a double name (again with the Southern-- my grandmother's name was Mary Bruce).Mary Dillon
Mary Clark
Mary Clay
Mary Kent
Mary Frank
Mary Evan
Mary Owen
Mary James
Mary StuartAnother new Mary love: Using a sort of portmanteau of Mary+MN as a NN. For instance, my friend has a new cousin whose name is Mary Love (Love is a family name), and she is called Marlo. I just adore this (and I'm not even a huge fan of the name Marlo). Another example: I know a girl name Mary Magdalene who is called Marlene.

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- Wisteria (Tawnee)
4/9/2015, 3:29 PM
I likeMary Elspeth
Mary Jessamine
Mary Keturah
Mary October
Mary Lara
Mary Nell = Marnie. I love this one! Thank you! :)
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- Bear   +1
4/8/2015, 5:31 PM
I love some of your ideas, especially going "full on nun." My husband had a memorable teacher, Sister Finbarr. I love the idea of Mary Finbarr in her honor. As for your portmanteau idea, what about Mary June, nn Moon? Mary Adelaide, nn Milady? Mary Beatrix, nn Maybe? OK, so no one would really call a child Maybe. But it's a fun hypothetical exercise.
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- Genevieve
4/8/2015, 7:04 PM
Mary Finbarr! That's amazing!
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- Bear (guest)   +4
4/8/2015, 11:43 AM
Mary is a wonderful choice. Mary may have been overly used in the past. But it's more than ready for a come-back. It's so sweet and cheerful. And if gives cover for some pretty funky middle names. Sorry for any repeates:Mary Siobhan
Mary Elena
Mary Nolwenn
Mary Skye
Mary Edelweiss
Mary Charlotte / Carlotta
Mary Matilda
Mary Beeblossom
Mary Foxglove
Mary Linden
Mary Bluebell
Mary Columbine
Mary Fionnuala / Finola
Mary Isolde
Mary Felicitas
Mary Snow
Mary Linnet
Mary Nightingale
Mary Agatha
Mary Clementina
Mary Tess
Mary Adelaide
Mary Scholastica
Mary Blaithin ("blah-HEEN," = little flower)
Mary Sinéad / Jeanette ("shi-NAYD")
Mary Dulcinea

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- Wisteria (Tawnee)
4/9/2015, 3:27 PM
- Genevieve   +2
4/8/2015, 5:14 PM
Oh wow, I love so many of these.Mary Elena
Mary Edelweiss
Mary Linden
Mary Felicitas
Mary Nightingale
Mary Agatha
Mary Adelaide
Mary Blaithin
Mary Fleur
Mary BlytheI'm digging Mary+word name.
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- Wisteria (Tawnee)
4/9/2015, 3:27 PM
So am I! :D It works so well.
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- Bear
4/8/2015, 5:33 PM
Thanks! :0D
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- Wisteria (Tawnee)
4/9/2015, 3:23 PM
- Bear
4/8/2015, 12:45 PM
Mary Vivian -- lovely
Mary Victoria -- classic
Mary Shelley -- for your own little monster :0P
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- Wisteria (Tawnee)
4/9/2015, 3:20 PM
Have I mentioned before how much I love your taste in names and think we are long lost twins? Haha.I loveMary Amarantha
Mary Aveline
Mary Blossom
Mary Boudicca
Mary Celestine
Mary Constantia
Mary Cordula
Mary Corisande
Mary Diantha
Mary Dulcinea
Mary Elowen
Mary Elsabet
Mary Everild
Mary Georgiana
Mary Hannelore
Mary Honora
Mary Isolde
Mary Joyce - My grandmother's name is Joyce. This would be double honoring! :)
Mary Juniper
Mary Kamala
Mary Kerensa
Mary Lorraine
Mary Nightingale
Mary Noor
Mary Olwen
Mary Plum
Mary Scholastica
Mary Tabitha
Mary Ursula
Mary Viola
Mary ZinniaGreat list! Thank you!
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- Bear   +5
4/8/2015, 12:42 PM
Wait. Mary Ursula. Of course. I thought I was going to write all about Mary Boudicca and how fun that combo is. But Mary Ursula floors me. So, so many other great options here. You need to do this professionally. :0P
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- Tiggs   +4
4/8/2015, 3:00 PM
Bear!How nice to see you! Have missed your posts and I thought of you when I scanned through my lists and picked these two combos to suggest. Yours ears must have been itching. ;)Don't know if you're interested, but I found some really interesting names in an 1871 publication detailing the descendants of my 10th gr grandfather who was an early settler in Massachusetts. You might like them; posted in 5 batches over the last couple of weeks. Currently posting from an 1888 publication, but not as unique as the other.
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- Wisteria (Tawnee)
4/9/2015, 3:21 PM
I know! I've been thinking about you, Bear. We all missed you here on the Ops board. Please tell us you're here to stay for a while. :)
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- kudriashkajo (jodirae)
4/9/2015, 2:00 PM
Another 'nice to see you' from me! :)
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- Bear   +1
4/8/2015, 3:08 PM
You are so sweet! It's good to have the time to post again. Work has been hectic. And usually when I come here I can't stop with just one post. I will look out for your threads. Old names, especially ones in the family (or extended family?) are too cool.
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- Tiggs
4/8/2015, 5:52 PM
Just took a look and the old ones are nearly off the page; will try to link here. In the 1871 family line there are lots of Puritan names, like Wealthy Jane, but also really obscure things like Eliphalet and Epaphroditus. Some are my direct ancestors or their siblings (and I noted those) most would be cousins of various degrees. Many are not included in the database here at BtN; if you know about them, I'd love to hear!1871 Batch 1: http://www.behindthename.com/bb/baby/4596127
1871 Batch 2: http://www.behindthename.com/bb/baby/4596244
1871 Batch 3: http://www.behindthename.com/bb/baby/4596438
1871 Batch 4: http://www.behindthename.com/bb/baby/4596718
1871 Batch 5: http://www.behindthename.com/bb/baby/4597253

This message was edited 4/8/2015, 5:53 PM

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- Sadie-Janae   +2
4/8/2015, 12:03 AM
I think naming your daughter Mary would be a lovely way to honor your mother.Mary Cosima
Mary Tabitha
Mary Soleil
Mary Lucinda
Mary Vanessa
Mary Jemimah
Mary Georgiana
Mary Amelie
Mary Lilian
Mary Coraline
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- Wisteria (Tawnee)
4/9/2015, 3:15 PM
Thank you!I likeMary Tabitha
Mary Soleil
Mary Georgiana
Mary Amelie
Mary Coraline
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- Bear
4/8/2015, 12:38 PM
Great list, especially Mary Jemima. :0)
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- Julia (JuliaF)   +2
4/7/2015, 11:12 PM
I'm sorry for your loss.I love Mary and would be delighted to see it on a child. I think you can go pretty out-there in the middle since Mary is so classic. I took a look at your PNL for MN ideas.Mary Acantha
Mary Alastriona
Mary Anthea
Mary Anwen (love this!)
Mary Aveline
Mary Branwen
Mary Calanthia
Mary Calypso
Mary Cateline
Mary Celeste
Mary Elowen
Mary Elysia
Mary Emmeline
Mary Evanthia
Mary Gabrielle
Mary Gwenaelle
Mary Ilana
Mary Juniper
Mary Lucasta
Mary Sophronia
Mary Sylvana
Mary Tamsin
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- Wisteria (Tawnee)
4/9/2015, 3:14 PM
Yes, I'm finding out that Mary is so versatile as to do well paired with pretty much anything! I love that. :)I love all your suggestions, of course, because I love all those names! :D
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- Bear
4/8/2015, 12:38 PM
Mary Acantha, Mary Alastriona, Mary Anthea are mesmerizing. :0)
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- Moirrey   +2
4/7/2015, 11:10 PM
My name is Mary and people often comment on how pretty it is and how nice it is to see on a young person. I wholeheartedly recommend it. Mary Adelaide
Mary Anwen
Mary Beatrix
Mary Calista
Mary Elowen
Mary Evelina
Mary Georgina
Mary Imogen
Mary Kerensa
Mary Linnea
Mary Pearl
Mary Rosamund
Mary Theodosia
Mary Veronica
Mary Violet
Mary Xanthe
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- Wisteria (Tawnee)
4/9/2015, 3:13 PM
- Bear
4/8/2015, 12:37 PM
Great list, all.
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- Just Jonquil   +2
4/7/2015, 10:30 PM
I like Mary Rose but as a deliberate double name
Otherwise:
Mary Catalina
Mary Evelyn
Mary Francesca
Mary Georgina
Mary Helena
Mary Juliana
Mary Katrina
Mary Lavinia
Mary Leonora
Mary Raphaela
Mary Tamsin
Mary Victoria

This message was edited 4/7/2015, 10:31 PM

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- Wisteria (Tawnee)
4/9/2015, 3:12 PM
I likeMary Catalina - I always forget about Catalina, but I love it!
Mary Helena
Mary Juliana
Mary Leonora
Mary Raphaela - So musical.
Mary Tamsin
Mary VictoriaThank you!
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- Bear
4/8/2015, 12:36 PM
Is there anything Mary doesn't go well with? Mary Georgina is my favorite here, but they are all terrific. :0)
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- Indy (Likeyeahwhatev)   +2
4/7/2015, 7:41 PM
I love Mary, it's my moms name too and I would definitely consider using it to honor her.How about:Mary Lark
Mary Ophelia
Mary Minerva
Mary Colette
Mary Astrid
Mary Gwendolyn
Mary Niamh
Mary Juliet
Mary Helena
Mary Gretchen
Mary DahliaIt sounds good with practically anything, honestly. Plus there are more traditional combos like Mary Anne, Mary Elizabeth and Mary Alice, which I also love.
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- Wisteria (Tawnee)
4/9/2015, 3:11 PM
Yes, I'm a fan of Mary Alice too! Mary Ann was actually my mom's full name. :) I likeMary Lark
Mary Minerva
Mary Niamh
Mary Juliet
Mary Helena
Mary DahliaThank you!
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- Bear
4/8/2015, 12:36 PM
Mary Niamh! Another why-didn't-I-think-of-that-one name. Mary Gwendolyn flows effortlessly.
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- Elena   +2
4/7/2015, 7:34 PM
Mary is so sweet. It's a shame that it's been so overdone because I'd almost forgotten how lovely it is. That being said, I'd only use it paired with a mn that I'd also use FT.My faves are:Mary Isobel (Mary Bel)
Mary Eleanor (Mary Elle)
Mary Alexandra (Mary Alex)
Mary Elizabeth (Mary Beth, Mary Bess)
Mary Louisa
Mary Charlotte
Mary Claire
Mary Helena
Mary Juliet
Mary Rose
Mary Susanna
Mary Victoria
Mary Katherine or Mary Kathleen (Mary Kate)
Mary Teresa (Mary Tess)Hope this helps!
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- Wisteria (Tawnee)
4/9/2015, 3:10 PM
Yes, I wouldn't mind if I had a daughter who wanted to go by her middle name instead, but I just love the idea of honoring by using it in the first name position. :) I likeMary Eleanor
Mary Alexandra - I also like Mary Alexandria.
Mary Charlotte
Mary Helena
Mary Juliet
Mary Rose
Mary Susannah
Mary Victoria - Very queenly.Thank you!
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- Bear
4/8/2015, 12:35 PM
Mary Bel and Mary Bess may come over to play any time they'd like. Who could resist them? :0)
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- lusia   +2
4/7/2015, 5:48 PM
I think Mary is a lovely first name.
Mary Amalia
Mary Linnea
Mary Eulalia
Mary Amira
Mary Alva
Mary Lavinia
Mary Winter
Mary Orla
Mary Wyatt - don't know why I chose this, but it sounds nice.
Mary Sybella
Mary Garla
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- Wisteria (Tawnee)
4/9/2015, 3:08 PM
- Bear
4/8/2015, 12:27 PM
Lovely combos for a lovely name:Mary Amalia
Mary Linnea (a neat twist on Mary Lynn)
Mary Eulalia
Mary Alva
Mary Lavinia
Mary Orla
Mary Sybella (prefer Sibylla):0)
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- Pie   +2
4/7/2015, 5:43 PM
I'm so sorry about your mum. Hope you're doing okay.
Thumbs up to Mary as a first name! It goes so well with fancier names, in fact with most things:Mary Jacomina
Mary Aurelia
Mary Elain
Mary Mathilde
Mary Iolanthe
Mary Romola
Mary Lilias
Mary Bryony
Mary Adelais
Mary Fern
Mary Magnolia
Mary Lucasta
Mary Sybilla
Mary Berengaria, go on I dare you :)
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- Wisteria (Tawnee)
4/9/2015, 3:07 PM
Thank you! I'm coping, but it's been hard. We were best friends. And Mary is a great name for pairing with just about anything, isn't it? :)I likeMary Elain
Mary Lilias
Mary Bryony
Mary Adelais
Mary Fern
Mary Lucasta
Mary Berengaria - I'd totally do this. Just watch me! :D
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- Bear
4/8/2015, 12:25 PM
Clapping with my feet at:Mary Jacomina
Mary Aurelia
Mary Mathilde
Mary Iolanthe
Mary Romola
Mary Lilias
Mary Lucasta
Mary Sybilla (prefer Sibylla)
Mary Berengaria (I double dog dare Wisteria)
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- RoxStar   +2
4/7/2015, 5:39 PM
Mary is definitely less common today than it has ever been, but it still feels very default and ubiquitous. I would not want to be named Mary at all. The one really good thing about it is that it goes very well with lots of middle names, and sounds good as a double-barreled name too.Mary Amber
Mary Bliss (only throwing this one out because it's the main character in "Little Bitty Lies" which is a very fluffy but very good book)
Mary Carla
Mary Dawn
Mary Ellen (I really like Ellen)
Mary Fern
Mary Giselle
Mary Heather
Mary Jessica
Mary Kathleen
Mary Lucia
Mary Natasha
Mary Opal
Mary Portia
Mary Robin
Mary Sky
Mary Tanya
Mary Vanessa
Mary Yasmine
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- Wisteria (Tawnee)
4/9/2015, 3:05 PM
I likeMary Dawn
Mary Fern
Mary Lucia
Mary RobinThank you!
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- Bear
4/8/2015, 12:24 PM
Aw. So sweet:Mary Ellen
Mary Heather
Mary Kathleen
Mary Robin:0)
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- whim   +4
4/7/2015, 4:50 PM
I have a Mary thread on another site. It's a beautiful name and I love it's meaning for you. This list below is a combination of my own combos and those suggested to me. There is a bit of everything down there. I figured I'd just toss them all out there and see if anything appeals. :)Mary Adele
Mary Adeline
Mary Athena
Mary Avis
Mary Azalea
Mary Blossom
Mary Clementine
Mary Eliza
Mary Iris
Mary Olive
Mary Zelda
Mary Solace
Mary Willow
Mary Juniper
Mary Clover
Mary Theodosia
Mary Aurelia
Mary Lavender
Mary Jessamine
Mary Prudence
Mary Genevieve
Mary Emmeline
Mary Rosamund
Mary Winifred
Mary Valentine
Mary Celeste
Mary Leontine

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This message was edited 4/7/2015, 6:03 PM

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- Wisteria (Tawnee)   +2
4/9/2015, 3:01 PM
I likeMary Adele
Mary Athena
Mary Clementine - So many have suggested this, and it is so perfect.
Mary Solace - This is quite beautiful.
Mary Willow
Mary Juniper
Mary Clover - For some reason, I'm loving Mary paired with nature names!
Mary Lavender
Mary Jessamine
Mary Prudence - I think Temperance works too.
Mary Emmeline
Mary Valentine
Mary Celeste
Mary Leontine
Mary Avalon - I love this. Avalon works really well with Mary!
Mary Guinevere - So does Guinevere. :)
Mary Leonora
Mary Lilac
Mary Rose
Mary Beatrix / Beatrice
Mary Eleanor
Mary Rosaline
Mary Patience
Mary Christabel

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This message was edited 4/9/2015, 3:01 PM

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- whim   +1
4/11/2015, 7:44 AM
I think when Mary is paired with more classic names it can feel very severe. But when paired with a more modern or nature name Mary really livens up and seems more approachable.
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- Wisteria (Tawnee)
4/17/2015, 10:47 PM
Yes, I think that's it exactly. :)
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- New_Chloe   +3
4/7/2015, 4:27 PM
My condolences on the loss of your mother. :(Mary would indeed be a refreshing, unexpected choice these days. About five years ago, a friend of a friend had a little girl and named her Mary Isobel, and at the time I was very surprised by the choice (in a good way!). I myself am quite partial to the combo of Mary Celeste (like the mysterious ship).The nice thing about Mary is that it's such a mellow classic that it works with a wide variety of names. So I'll just throw out some random ideas - maybe something will inspire :)Mary Valentine
Mary Autumn
Mary Annabelle
Mary Cressida
Mary Clementine
Mary Lenore
Mary Georgiana
Mary Fern
Mary Hyacinth
Mary Cordelia
Mary Juliet
Mary Willow
Mary Octavia
Mary Zelda
Mary Mabel
Mary Stella
Mary Christabel
Mary Dove
Mary Eglantine
Mary Katharina
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- Wisteria (Tawnee)
4/9/2015, 2:55 PM
Thank you! My mom and I were best friends. We were really close, and I'd love the chance to honor her by using her name in the prominent first name position. :) I'd think she'd really like it too. I likeMary Valentine - So sweet.
Mary Autumn - Soft and gentle.
Mary Clementine - Charming!
Mary Lenore - I love Poe too so bonus!
Mary Georgiana - Very regal.
Mary Fern
Mary Juliet - Romantic.
Mary Willow - Beautiful like Fern and Autumn above.
Mary Christabel - Coleridge reference ftw.
Mary Eglantine - Beautiful.Thank you!
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- Genevieve
4/8/2015, 5:09 PM
Oooh, love Mary Celeste. Marie Celeste used to be a favorite combo of mine (or Marie-Celeste as a double name), but I may like Mary Celeste more now.
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- Bear (guest)
4/8/2015, 12:14 PM
From the why-didn't-I-think-of-that file:Mary Valentine
Mary Octavia
Mary Zelda -- awwww
Mary Eglantine
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- Bear
4/8/2015, 11:45 AM
Lovely list, especially Mary Olympia. I wish Olympia got more attention.

This message was edited 4/8/2015, 11:45 AM

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- Puck (BBH)   +2
4/7/2015, 4:08 PM
I would use Mary as a first name, and the middle name would be Keturah, after an ancestor. Other beloved Mary combos:Mary Matilda
Mary Olivia
Mary Emily
Mary Cecily
Mary Eleanor
Mary Elinor
Mary Ruth
Mary Jane
Mary Beatrix

This message was edited 4/7/2015, 4:08 PM

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- Wisteria (Tawnee)
4/9/2015, 2:49 PM
Mary Keturah is a really great combo. :)I also like Mary Eleanor, Mary Ruth, Mary Olivia, and Mary Beatrix! I might swap out Beatrix for Beatrice though.Thanks!
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- Bear
4/8/2015, 11:45 AM
Mary Keturah is stunning.
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- m4yb3_daijirou   +3
4/7/2015, 4:04 PM
Like I said on Sadie-Janae's post, my suggestions are unusual but if you want other users like me throw anything at you, then you've got it.Mary Everild
Mary Kesa
Mary Blake
Mary Lorna
Mary Quinn
Mary Ellice
Mary Kathryn
Mary Magali
Mary Ilona
Mary Shola
Mary Rona
Mary Diem
Mary Xaviere
Mary Linza
Mary Cybil
Mary Silver
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- Wisteria (Tawnee)
4/9/2015, 2:48 PM
Wow, great suggestions! When I said throw anything at me, I meant it. :) I like Mary Everild
Mary Lorna
Mary Ilona
Mary Cybil / Sibyl
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- Genevieve
4/8/2015, 5:10 PM
I'm digging Mary Lorna.
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- Bear
4/8/2015, 11:44 AM
Great list, especially Mary Everild and Mary Ilona. :0)
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