Margery
I've been growing fond of the girl's name Margery lately. It's a good, less common alternative to the similar-sounding Margaret -- a name which (in my opinion) is decent, but rather bland. I also like it far better than Margorie or Marjorie, which definitely carries an old-lady vibe. For me, Margery brings to mind a youthful, astute young lady; however, it's also appropriate for someone older.
What do you think? Is is usable in a modern context, or is it too much of an "old lady" name? Do you prefer Margorie, Marjorie, or another alternative spelling?
What do you think? Is is usable in a modern context, or is it too much of an "old lady" name? Do you prefer Margorie, Marjorie, or another alternative spelling?
This message was edited 4/20/2011, 4:04 PM
Replies
I like Margery. I like Marjorie too, but in a different, totally equal way. Margery is sturdy, secretive, and darkly Medieval. Marjorie is much lighter, more "modern" in that it makes me think of a 1940's secretary with a tiny little waist and great shoes who plays baseball on the weekends.
Margorie I don't like as much, because it looks like the g should be hardened in that case.
Margorie I don't like as much, because it looks like the g should be hardened in that case.
I like both Marjorie and Margery, though I'd go with Marjorie for family reasons. I've been told that Marjorie is more likely to be Scottish and Margery English, but I can't prove it and I don't much care.
I think it's highly usable, with a pretty appearance, sound and rhythm. The only thing that puts me off is the ghastly possibility of Marge, or Margie. Forget the Simpsons - they were awful anyway.
Spellings. I've never seen Margorie, and I hope my luck holds. I did know a Marjory once, who did her best to persuade one and all that it was the original, traditional and best English spelling. She was a lovely woman, but the spelling still looks wrong to me.
I think it's highly usable, with a pretty appearance, sound and rhythm. The only thing that puts me off is the ghastly possibility of Marge, or Margie. Forget the Simpsons - they were awful anyway.
Spellings. I've never seen Margorie, and I hope my luck holds. I did know a Marjory once, who did her best to persuade one and all that it was the original, traditional and best English spelling. She was a lovely woman, but the spelling still looks wrong to me.
I listed Margorie in the original post because a commenter on the Margery page said they preferred that spelling. Though personally, I've never seen it spelled that way either.
I like Marjorie best, perhaps because I like "ie" names.
I prefer the spelling Marjorie the best. I think it's the prettiest. It doesn't seem like an old lady name to me. I think it's definitely usable in a modern context. I'm not the biggest fan of the name, but I think it's all right.
Marjorie was extremely popular in the 1920s, and has always been the more popular spelling in the United States (well, since the 1880s at least). I prefer Marjorie, and it seems fresher and younger to me. Margery is fine too, but it looks more medieval. Margorie looks weird; I've never seen that spelling before. Margery / Marjorie is usable in a modern context. It's not any more "old lady" than Alice and Eleanor and other names rising in popularity.
http://www.behindthename.com/top/search.php?terms=margery+marjorie
Marjorie, Dorothy, Virginia
Margery, Amabel, Lettice
That's the feeling I get from the different spellings.
http://www.behindthename.com/top/search.php?terms=margery+marjorie
Marjorie, Dorothy, Virginia
Margery, Amabel, Lettice
That's the feeling I get from the different spellings.
I like Margery, and in fact it's my preferred spelling of Marjorie. It sounds nice and like a great alternative to Margaret. Marge is too Marge Simpson IMO. I think Margery is nice on it's own, without any nicknames.
Margery was also the name of the woman who wrote The Velveteen Rabbit, one of my favorite children's stories. Her full name was Margery Williams Bianco.
Margery was also the name of the woman who wrote The Velveteen Rabbit, one of my favorite children's stories. Her full name was Margery Williams Bianco.
This message was edited 4/20/2011, 6:35 PM
I love Marjorie -- spelled that way. Margery looks older to me, like a spelling made up to support the nickname Marge (which is in no way modern-sounding IMO!) although its entry says it is the older spelling. I think Marjorie/Margery is totally usable. It fits right in with other old-fashioned name revivals. I know nonagenarian sisters named Marjorie and Edith, and I LOVE that sibset.
Margery is the name of my recently deceased grandmother. We had a bizarre relationship, so I feel the same way about the name as I felt about her. Torn.
I am a fan. I prefer Margery I think. Totally usable IMO.