[Opinions] Mary
Would you find it strange if a non-religious person named their daughter Mary?
I really like the name Mary but it feels overtly religious to me. I have the same problem with Miriam and Magdalen.
I feel like especially now that Mary isn’t extremely popular that people would assume the family to be very religious if they had a daughter named Mary.
Besides that, what do you think of Mary? Is it dated and boring to you or do you think it’d be refreshing and nice to meet a little one? Do you know any young Mary’s?
Middle names always appreciated but never required. Maybe something more modern or spunky to spice Mary up?
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Used to be Azula
My ratable list: https://www.behindthename.com/pnl/174843/136932
I really like the name Mary but it feels overtly religious to me. I have the same problem with Miriam and Magdalen.
I feel like especially now that Mary isn’t extremely popular that people would assume the family to be very religious if they had a daughter named Mary.
Besides that, what do you think of Mary? Is it dated and boring to you or do you think it’d be refreshing and nice to meet a little one? Do you know any young Mary’s?
Middle names always appreciated but never required. Maybe something more modern or spunky to spice Mary up?
_________________
Used to be Azula
My ratable list: https://www.behindthename.com/pnl/174843/136932
Replies
I LOVE the name Mary. A name I consider for my daughter.
Not at all. I'm a Maria who grew up atheist, and when people were surprised about that, it was never due to my name, always due to Catholicism being the norm in Poland. I really like Mary and would be happy to use it as a middle name with a flashier FN, and I'd be happy to meet one of any age.
Mary...
Arabella
Caroline
Clarissa
Harriet
Jemima
Lark
Thomasina
Mary...
Arabella
Caroline
Clarissa
Harriet
Jemima
Lark
Thomasina
We gave our first daughter two middle names, after both our mothers. So she was Fn Beatrice Mary. MIL's name was Bertha Maria, but we preferred Mary, and we are probably the least religious people we know. So, I'd assume that Mary was a family name - just about every family has a Mary ancestor somewhere, if not several - or else that they just liked it, same as we did.
Mary Olivia
Mary Lilian
Mary Emilia
Mary Lucinda
Mary Olivia
Mary Lilian
Mary Emilia
Mary Lucinda
...No? Since when was Mary only allowed for religious people to use? It doesn’t feel overtly religious - it’s definitely a Christian name, sure, but there are plenty of non-religious people who have and use Christian names.
It’s kinda on the dated side, and a bit plain, but I wouldn’t be displeased to see a little Mary among all the Emmas, Olivias and Isabellas. It could even be a breath of fresh air, in fact.
Mary can always be spiced up with a more eye-catching middle name to complement it. Maybe something like Mary Delphine or Mary Gabrielle?
It’s kinda on the dated side, and a bit plain, but I wouldn’t be displeased to see a little Mary among all the Emmas, Olivias and Isabellas. It could even be a breath of fresh air, in fact.
Mary can always be spiced up with a more eye-catching middle name to complement it. Maybe something like Mary Delphine or Mary Gabrielle?
I feel like in the US Mary has always been more tied to the religious figure, and doesn’t have those British royalty vibes that someone below commented about. If it was a top 10-20 name I think there’d be less hesitation about using it, due to its popularity. It definitely isn’t as popular as it once was and because its immediate namesake and the one that most people think of first is the Virgin it feels very religious to me.
On that note, I find I quite enjoy “dated, plain names.” I really like Jane and Frances as well. :)
On that note, I find I quite enjoy “dated, plain names.” I really like Jane and Frances as well. :)
It’s such a common name it doesn’t have a particularly religious vibe,
I don't really see it as religious, perhaps English and royal. I do know an adorable Mary aged 5
No. There's nothing wrong with religion, it's beautiful and useful. I think it would be awesome if more people were named Mary; the BVM is an amazing namesake. I have a little cousin named Mary; granted, she's Catholic, but I don't feel like it would be someone's immediate assumption. Her name is Mary Antoinette.
There’s nothing wrong with religion but as a non-religious person I wouldn’t want it assumed that I am a very religious person because of my child’s name. Granted, I’m not expecting or planning to be so this is all just for fun and hypotheticals. Mary Antoinette is a very pretty name. :)
Yeah, mine are just for fun too. Thanks
This message was edited 12/28/2020, 7:21 PM