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Maureen
I have always loved this name. Was surprised to see many negative comments about it here. From what I have found, it means "Star of the Sea", or "bitter and dark", (derived from Mary) or translated from Gaelic to "little Mary". Although Called Mo by my brothers when I was young, I'd never acknowledge anyone trying to call me Reen or Reenie. The first man to fall in love with me told me you can't pronounce the name without your lips forming the shape of a kiss, from the first syllable. I've discovered when traveling in the UK that the accent is placed on the first syllable, which sounded odd to my ears. After reading some of the negative comments here, I begin to understand why I have occasionally heard I don't look like a Maureen. It's all about one's perception of a name, isn't it?
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I don't like it. I'm not really a fan of Irish names.
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I work with a girl named Maureen, she's 25. My sister chose Maureen as her Confirmation name. I don't mind it, but it does seem dated and as a previous poster mentioned, it does sound sad. Much like Maude and Morgan.
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Aw. Maureen (Mo) is my niece's name. We live in the Pacific Northwest in the U.S. Her mother (my sister-in-law) wanted to name her daughter after the most beautiful woman she could think of. Maureen O'Hara came to mind. My sister-in-law is very, very smart. :-)Our whole family was thrilled with the name choice when they announced it (in the 80s), Maureen Elizabeth. My niece is a darling and I think it's actually had an impact on the local area. According to my niece, there are three little Maureens, about ten years younger than her, at the local school. (My SIL is a teacher there.) Granted, it's a Catholic school and heavily Irish-American. So it could be a coincidence. But I like to think my little Momo inspired other parents. My SIL's family took a little more time to get used to it. Her grandmother's reaction was, "Why did they name the little girl 'Marine?'" (as in the marines). I hope they now find it as lovely as I do. My niece graces the name beautifully. I love the reaction of the first man to fall in love with you. I'll have to pass that on to my Maureen. :-*

This message was edited 8/30/2013, 3:24 PM

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I know 3 people named Maureen; an aunt, a cousin, and a longtime friend of my mother's. I always liked Maureen, and could never understand why so many would hate it. It's fancy, too.
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I think Maureen is a pretty attractive name, though I've only met one. She was a couple years older than me. It does sort of have a sad sound to it but I don't know why.
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