[Opinions] Mary
What do you think of the name Mary? Do you prefer it in the first or middle name spot? If you had a daughter named Mary would you call her that, use a nickname, use a first and middle combination, or call her by a middle name?
Of these three Mary nicknames, which one would you choose?
Molly, Marion, Polly
Thoughts on these combos? Any of your own?
Mary Rosamund
Mary Rosalind
Mary Cordelia
Mary Victoria
Mary Isobel
Mary Eudora
Mary Clemence
Mary Florence
Mary Fleur
Mary Berenice
Mary Eleanor
Mary Solveig
Mary Georgette
Mary Georgine
Mary Isabeau
Mary Alexandra
Mary Isidora
Mary Colette
Mary Nicolette
Mary Elspeth
Mary Clementine
Of these three Mary nicknames, which one would you choose?
Molly, Marion, Polly
Thoughts on these combos? Any of your own?
Mary Rosamund
Mary Rosalind
Mary Cordelia
Mary Victoria
Mary Isobel
Mary Eudora
Mary Clemence
Mary Florence
Mary Fleur
Mary Berenice
Mary Eleanor
Mary Solveig
Mary Georgette
Mary Georgine
Mary Isabeau
Mary Alexandra
Mary Isidora
Mary Colette
Mary Nicolette
Mary Elspeth
Mary Clementine
Replies
I adore Mary. So much that I chose my daughter's name specifically because it had Mary in it. (Mary is probably my favorite name, but sounded bad with our last name).
If I could have I totally would have named her Mary. I think Molly and Polly are cute, but I would definitely not have used a nickname. I would be extremely tempted to use it as a double barrel, I just love so many Mary double barrels, though I love Mary alone as well.
My fav Mary combos are
Mary Augusta (my fav)
Mary Edith
Mary Claire
Mary Alice
Out of yours I love:
Mary Rosamund
Mary Rosalind
Mary Cordelia
Mary Florence
Mary Eleanor
Mary Georgette
Mary Georgine
Mary Elspeth
Mary Clementine
If I could have I totally would have named her Mary. I think Molly and Polly are cute, but I would definitely not have used a nickname. I would be extremely tempted to use it as a double barrel, I just love so many Mary double barrels, though I love Mary alone as well.
My fav Mary combos are
Mary Augusta (my fav)
Mary Edith
Mary Claire
Mary Alice
Out of yours I love:
Mary Rosamund
Mary Rosalind
Mary Cordelia
Mary Florence
Mary Eleanor
Mary Georgette
Mary Georgine
Mary Elspeth
Mary Clementine
Boring and overused in any form or position.
Not an uncommon opinion. :)
Yay!
I was starting to feel so very alone.
I was starting to feel so very alone.
Not alone
I also agree. Besides, "Mary, Mary, quite contrary..." is all I can think about.
But I like Mara, Maria, Marie... Just about any other form of Mary except Mary!
I also agree. Besides, "Mary, Mary, quite contrary..." is all I can think about.
But I like Mara, Maria, Marie... Just about any other form of Mary except Mary!
Ditto
I like Mary but in the abstract. I find it quite dull when I meet a Mary probably because it's so common. I haven't come across one younger than late 30s in a long time. I have noticed that the Marys that quite often are Mary Ellen, Mary T, Mary Ellen, etc.
I like Mary Kate but I would use a nn - I like Molly a lot, don't like Marion, find Polly a bit cutesy.
I had a great-aunt Mary who my mother was very fond of so I have positive associations with Mary.
I like Mary Kate but I would use a nn - I like Molly a lot, don't like Marion, find Polly a bit cutesy.
I had a great-aunt Mary who my mother was very fond of so I have positive associations with Mary.
I think I would be very surprised to meet a Mary around my age.
I used Mary as a 2nd mn, in preference to Maria (DH's late mother).
I like it as a fn, and would probably not use a nn at all. If I did, I'm extremely fond of Polly (which is in my family as a nn, going way back); I heartily dislike Molly (which sounds bland and flabby, though it was the given name of DH's lovely aunt who was neither); and I see Marion as an independent name.
A friend of mine has a Mary Rosamond daughter! I also like Isobel, Solveig, Georgina (but not Georgine) and Victoria, and I think I like Mary Barbara but I'm not sure yet.
I like it as a fn, and would probably not use a nn at all. If I did, I'm extremely fond of Polly (which is in my family as a nn, going way back); I heartily dislike Molly (which sounds bland and flabby, though it was the given name of DH's lovely aunt who was neither); and I see Marion as an independent name.
A friend of mine has a Mary Rosamond daughter! I also like Isobel, Solveig, Georgina (but not Georgine) and Victoria, and I think I like Mary Barbara but I'm not sure yet.
It makes me happy to know that there's a Mary Rosamond somewhere in the world. Mary Barbara is very nice! I have a Barbara in my family tree (way back), so I like it quite a lot.
Your post just made me decide to like it.
I've only personally known one Mary who was my own age, so I haven't had the experience that it's common, only the impression from having heard of so many Marys. And I like M-r names, and -ry ... so, why not?
I like Marion a little more than I like Mary.
I don't care for Molly or Polly.
I think it's okay spelled Mari.
I also like Marie and Maria and Mariah, but not Miriam / Mariam.
I would not use a double or hyphenated name, it's nms. I think Mary combines well with other short common names - Mary Anne, Mary Beth, Mary Ellen, and Mary Jane are nice, and familiar enough to not sound stilted. I kinda like the combo Mary Linda.
I've only personally known one Mary who was my own age, so I haven't had the experience that it's common, only the impression from having heard of so many Marys. And I like M-r names, and -ry ... so, why not?
I like Marion a little more than I like Mary.
I don't care for Molly or Polly.
I think it's okay spelled Mari.
I also like Marie and Maria and Mariah, but not Miriam / Mariam.
I would not use a double or hyphenated name, it's nms. I think Mary combines well with other short common names - Mary Anne, Mary Beth, Mary Ellen, and Mary Jane are nice, and familiar enough to not sound stilted. I kinda like the combo Mary Linda.
I'm glad you've decided to like it! Liking Mary is a relatively new thing for me too. I haven't had the experience that it's common either. The only Mary I know is my grandmother.
I feel the same way about Marion. I love Mary Ellen and Mary Jane, although they're so simple and easy to overlook. I think I would change Mary Linda to Mary Belinda or Mary Rosalind, but that's only because I prefer Linda as a nickname.
I feel the same way about Marion. I love Mary Ellen and Mary Jane, although they're so simple and easy to overlook. I think I would change Mary Linda to Mary Belinda or Mary Rosalind, but that's only because I prefer Linda as a nickname.
This message was edited 10/6/2010, 4:24 PM
I love Mary. If I had a daughter named Mary, I would probably call her Mary, Maisie, May, and Mary ______ (whatever middle name I chose).
Of those nicknames, my favorite is Marion, but it would be more of a pet name than a nickname since it's actually longer than Mary.
I love Mary Victoria, Mary Eleanor, Mary Solveig, and Mary Alexandra. I'd also love Mary Isabelle or Mary Isabel, spelled thusly.
Mary Sophia
Mary Josephine
Mary Katherine
Mary Olivia
Mary Isabella
Mary Anastasia
Mary Annabel
Mary Charlotte
Mary Camille
Mary Elise
Mary Grace
Mary Noelle
Mary Simone
Mary Violet
Mary Vivienne / Vivian
Mary Viviana
Of those nicknames, my favorite is Marion, but it would be more of a pet name than a nickname since it's actually longer than Mary.
I love Mary Victoria, Mary Eleanor, Mary Solveig, and Mary Alexandra. I'd also love Mary Isabelle or Mary Isabel, spelled thusly.
Mary Sophia
Mary Josephine
Mary Katherine
Mary Olivia
Mary Isabella
Mary Anastasia
Mary Annabel
Mary Charlotte
Mary Camille
Mary Elise
Mary Grace
Mary Noelle
Mary Simone
Mary Violet
Mary Vivienne / Vivian
Mary Viviana
Maisie and May are cute nicknames for Mary. I never would have thought of Maisie!
Of your combos I like:
(I tend to comment on these from the bottom up, just to note.)
Mary Josephine
Mary Isabella -Very royal.
Mary Annabel -This feels a little Alice in Wonderland-ish to me. :)
Mary Camille -Lovely.
Mary Vivienne / Vivian
Mary Viviana -Same feeling as Liliana for me.
Mary Wilhelmina
Mary Lucia
Mary Liliana -I love how Mary and Liliana look together, but Liliana seems almost too decadent. Hm...
Mary Elisabeth
Mary Genevieve
Mary Grace -So pretty.
Mary Simone -I agree, this is great as a double name.
Mary Elise -I would prefer Mary Elisa.
Mary Violet
Mary Charlotte -I love this! It's so dignified. I don't even like Charlotte.
Mary Sophia
Of your combos I like:
(I tend to comment on these from the bottom up, just to note.)
Mary Josephine
Mary Isabella -Very royal.
Mary Annabel -This feels a little Alice in Wonderland-ish to me. :)
Mary Camille -Lovely.
Mary Vivienne / Vivian
Mary Viviana -Same feeling as Liliana for me.
Mary Wilhelmina
Mary Lucia
Mary Liliana -I love how Mary and Liliana look together, but Liliana seems almost too decadent. Hm...
Mary Elisabeth
Mary Genevieve
Mary Grace -So pretty.
Mary Simone -I agree, this is great as a double name.
Mary Elise -I would prefer Mary Elisa.
Mary Violet
Mary Charlotte -I love this! It's so dignified. I don't even like Charlotte.
Mary Sophia
A few months ago I posted on Mary, most people thought it was boring (: However, I ADORE it. I think it's a gorgeous classic, very underrated. I always think of royalty when I hear it for some reason, and that's a huge plus for me.
I love Marion as a nn, not big on Molly, Polly is ok. That said, I wouldn't use a nn, Mary is fine on it's own.
Out of your combos I like:
Mary Rosalind
Mary Clemence
Mary Florence
Mary Eleanor - I prefer it spelt Elinor. Oooh, how about Mary Lenore?
Mary Solveig
Mary Clementine - darling combo:)
I love Marion as a nn, not big on Molly, Polly is ok. That said, I wouldn't use a nn, Mary is fine on it's own.
Out of your combos I like:
Mary Rosalind
Mary Clemence
Mary Florence
Mary Eleanor - I prefer it spelt Elinor. Oooh, how about Mary Lenore?
Mary Solveig
Mary Clementine - darling combo:)
I love the sweetness of Mary. It has a very pleasant sound. It's just too bad that it's been overdone to the point of saturation so that in many minds, it's considered to be dull, dull, dull.
Molly is my favorite of the three nns you list.
I would use Mary but I tend to prefer a double name.
My faves:
Mary Katherine (Mary Kate)
Mary Elizabeth (Mary Bess, Mary Beth)
Mary Isobel (Mary Bel, Maribel)
Mary Eleanor (Mary Elle)
Mary Alexandra (Mary Alex)
Mary Claire
I even sort of like Mary Faith and Mary Grace although they are a tad too religious for my tastes.
Of your combos, I like:
Mary Cordelia -- I love this!
Mary Victoria
Mary Isobel -- I see we have similar tastes here.
Mary Eleanor -- Ditto.
Mary Alexandra -- And also here.
Molly is my favorite of the three nns you list.
I would use Mary but I tend to prefer a double name.
My faves:
Mary Katherine (Mary Kate)
Mary Elizabeth (Mary Bess, Mary Beth)
Mary Isobel (Mary Bel, Maribel)
Mary Eleanor (Mary Elle)
Mary Alexandra (Mary Alex)
Mary Claire
I even sort of like Mary Faith and Mary Grace although they are a tad too religious for my tastes.
Of your combos, I like:
Mary Cordelia -- I love this!
Mary Victoria
Mary Isobel -- I see we have similar tastes here.
Mary Eleanor -- Ditto.
Mary Alexandra -- And also here.
My boyfriend's father's family is roman catholic. Most of the boy's first names are Joseph, including my boyfriend and his father. Also most of the girl's names begin with Mary. They all go by their second name. I would like to continue the tradition for our children.
for nicknames i like Molly, Marie, and Maria.
i think all the combinations you made flow very nicely.
for nicknames i like Molly, Marie, and Maria.
i think all the combinations you made flow very nicely.
That's interesting. What combo would you use? Will she go by her middle or first name?
Thank you!
Thank you!
I love the name Mary, it is beautiful yet understated.
My favorite combos from your list...
Mary Rosalind
Mary Clemence
Mary Florence
Mary Clementine
I also love...
Mary Georgina
Mary Elisabeth
Mary Beatrice
Mary Juliet
Mary Susannah
Mary Violet
Polly would be my chosen nickname out of the three above. However my favorite nickname for Mary is Malle.
My favorite combos from your list...
Mary Rosalind
Mary Clemence
Mary Florence
Mary Clementine
I also love...
Mary Georgina
Mary Elisabeth
Mary Beatrice
Mary Juliet
Mary Susannah
Mary Violet
Polly would be my chosen nickname out of the three above. However my favorite nickname for Mary is Malle.
I like Mary pretty well. It's definitey vintage once again, so it has some charm. I think I'd like it in the front, because Marie in the middle is still so commonplace, so Mary in front is more unexpected. I also don't mind a really nice double Mary-name.
I'd probably use Polly or Marion as nicknames, probably Polly
Of your combos, I quite like
Mary Cordelia
Mary Fleur
Mary Georgette - Cuuute
Mary Georgine - CUUUTE
Mary Clementine
My fave Mary combo is still Mary Celeste as a double name :)
I'd probably use Polly or Marion as nicknames, probably Polly
Of your combos, I quite like
Mary Cordelia
Mary Fleur
Mary Georgette - Cuuute
Mary Georgine - CUUUTE
Mary Clementine
My fave Mary combo is still Mary Celeste as a double name :)
I love the name Mary. I've only ever met one. I prefer it as a first name, because it can sound really beautiful with a distinctive middle name, and there's usually a nicer flow that way. I probably wouldn't use a nickname, maybe May? I really dislike Molly and Polly, I think they sound too childish, but Marion is sweet.
I like:
Mary Rosamund
Mary Rosalind
Mary Clemence - this is my favourite I think, it's so lovely.
Mary Florence
Mary Solveig
Mary Clementine
Mary goes with loads of names!
Mary Sunniva
Mary Nargiz
Mary Valentine
Mary Vivien
Mary Violet
Mary Patience
Mary Salomé
Mary Parvana
Mary Laetitia
Mary Domitille
Mary Simone
Mary Camélia
I like:
Mary Rosamund
Mary Rosalind
Mary Clemence - this is my favourite I think, it's so lovely.
Mary Florence
Mary Solveig
Mary Clementine
Mary goes with loads of names!
Mary Sunniva
Mary Nargiz
Mary Valentine
Mary Vivien
Mary Violet
Mary Patience
Mary Salomé
Mary Parvana
Mary Laetitia
Mary Domitille
Mary Simone
Mary Camélia
I really like the name Mary. It's my mother's name. If I have a daughter, I plan on giving her Mary as a middle name, to honor my mom.
I think the nickname Molly is really cute.
Out of your combos, I really like
Mary Rosalind
Mary Cordelia
Mary Eleanor
Mary Elspeth
Mary Clementine
My mother's middle name is Ann, by the way. Oh, and if I have a daughter her name will be Alice Mary. :)
I think the nickname Molly is really cute.
Out of your combos, I really like
Mary Rosalind
Mary Cordelia
Mary Eleanor
Mary Elspeth
Mary Clementine
My mother's middle name is Ann, by the way. Oh, and if I have a daughter her name will be Alice Mary. :)
I'm not a huge fan of Mary, although I quite like it on other peoples' children. I'm always surprised when I meet a Mary that's younger than me.
I would definitely use the nickname Polly. I love Polly, but cannot find a full name that I love just as much. Apollonia is the closest I've gotten.
Anyway, I like Mary Cordelia, Mary Victoria (very regal), Mary Florence, Mary Georgine, Mary Nicolette, and Mary Clementine.
I would definitely use the nickname Polly. I love Polly, but cannot find a full name that I love just as much. Apollonia is the closest I've gotten.
Anyway, I like Mary Cordelia, Mary Victoria (very regal), Mary Florence, Mary Georgine, Mary Nicolette, and Mary Clementine.
I'd probably go with ¡ust Mary. If I had to have a nickname, of those I'd pick Molly. If I were going to use a double name it would be Mary-Lou. But almost all of the Marys I know are Mary+Mn and most of the ones that aren't go by their middle name, and I find it cowardly. And often really awful. Mary Ashton, Mary Bradley, etc, or else super boring things like Mary Beth. It's a southern thing I guess. Dad told me that he was telling someone that my mom's name was Mary and they said "Mary what?" and he was like ummmm well her middle name is Frances and they said "Oh okay Mary Frances." Eye-roll. Of course people do call her Mary Frances sometimes
Anyway I love the name, I don't love it as much as I want. I'd use it Fn or mn but would rather fn.
Combos are fun with it, aren't they? My favorite of yours are Eleanor, Alexandra, Isidora, Clementine. I dunno what combo I'd use. I like Mary Minerva pretty well.
Anyway I love the name, I don't love it as much as I want. I'd use it Fn or mn but would rather fn.
Combos are fun with it, aren't they? My favorite of yours are Eleanor, Alexandra, Isidora, Clementine. I dunno what combo I'd use. I like Mary Minerva pretty well.
I think Mary is such a sweet, simple name. I prefer it as a first name, but I think as a mn it makes a much nicer alternative to Marie. At one time I did have Mary on my list of names I'd consider, but not anymore. I do still like it. If I did use it, I think I'd call her just Mary or a fn + mn combo. I really like Mary in combos where you use both names.
Of those three nicknames, Molly is probably my favorite, but Marion is very pretty.
I like these combos from your list:
Mary Isobel
Mary Eleanor
Mary Georgette
Mary Georgine
Mary Alexandra
In considering real use, I like the idea of pairing something a little more fresh and upbeat with it, like the examples of Mary Isobel and Mary Alexandra.
And my own favorites, meant to be said together:
Mary Olwen
Mary Columbine
Mary Eliza
Mary Finola
Mary Siobhan
Mary Winifred
Of those three nicknames, Molly is probably my favorite, but Marion is very pretty.
I like these combos from your list:
Mary Isobel
Mary Eleanor
Mary Georgette
Mary Georgine
Mary Alexandra
In considering real use, I like the idea of pairing something a little more fresh and upbeat with it, like the examples of Mary Isobel and Mary Alexandra.
And my own favorites, meant to be said together:
Mary Olwen
Mary Columbine
Mary Eliza
Mary Finola
Mary Siobhan
Mary Winifred
There are just enough names I like more than it, and since we've done baby name picking I don't think it necessary to have my list longer than 4-5 names anymore.
Glad you like some of my combos!
Glad you like some of my combos!
Well that makes sense. I have to admit that if I were ever to have a child Mary probably wouldn't be at the top of my list.
I like it, definitely, as both a first name and middle name. If I had a daughter named Mary, I'd probably call her Mary, maybe Molly - that's my favorite of the three nicknames. I also like Polly - I didn't realize that was a nickname for Mary.
I hope to eventually have a daughter named Mariel, who I'll call Mary. :)
Of your combos, I like:
Mary Cordelia
Mary Victoria
Mary Isobel
Mary Eudora
Mary Fleur
Mary Eleanor
Mary Georgette
Mary Alexandra
Mary Nicolette
Mary Elspeth
Some I like:
Mary Lucia
Mary Jocelyn
Mary Matilda
Mary Zipporah
Mary Alannah
Mary Seraphine
Mary Cecilia
Mary Josephine
Mary Anwen
Mary Keturah
Mary Minerva
Mary Amandine
Susannah Mary
Caroline Mary
Eloise Mary
Annabelle Mary
Bellatrix Mary
Vivienne Mary
Elisabeta Mary
I hope to eventually have a daughter named Mariel, who I'll call Mary. :)
Of your combos, I like:
Mary Cordelia
Mary Victoria
Mary Isobel
Mary Eudora
Mary Fleur
Mary Eleanor
Mary Georgette
Mary Alexandra
Mary Nicolette
Mary Elspeth
Some I like:
Mary Lucia
Mary Jocelyn
Mary Matilda
Mary Zipporah
Mary Alannah
Mary Seraphine
Mary Cecilia
Mary Josephine
Mary Anwen
Mary Keturah
Mary Minerva
Mary Amandine
Susannah Mary
Caroline Mary
Eloise Mary
Annabelle Mary
Bellatrix Mary
Vivienne Mary
Elisabeta Mary
I don't find Mary an inherently bad-sounding name, but to me, it's faceless, generic, and says nothing. I realize that it's not widely used as a first name at this time, but because it was so overwhelmingly popular for so long, centuries, that is the image it has for me.
I would never ever use it as a first name. The only way I'd use it as a middle name would be if I really wanted to honor someone named Mary. Otherwise, no, because it's filler in the middle name slot.
If I had a daughter named Mary, I'd want to call her by her middle name, since I don't want to call my daughter Mary. But then, I don't know why I'd ever do that, stick Mary first just to call her by her middle name.
I'm of the opinion that Molly should still be used as a nickname for Mary, but I don't like Molly enough to do that.
Well---I've known quite a few Marys, but I'm glad it's not my name.
I would never ever use it as a first name. The only way I'd use it as a middle name would be if I really wanted to honor someone named Mary. Otherwise, no, because it's filler in the middle name slot.
If I had a daughter named Mary, I'd want to call her by her middle name, since I don't want to call my daughter Mary. But then, I don't know why I'd ever do that, stick Mary first just to call her by her middle name.
I'm of the opinion that Molly should still be used as a nickname for Mary, but I don't like Molly enough to do that.
Well---I've known quite a few Marys, but I'm glad it's not my name.
I really love filler first names, and I have no idea why. Maybe its because I love seeing something classic with more unusual middle names, kind of an opposites attract mentality. Or maybe its because if I have an unusual middle name I can use the filler name as justification. I guess its also a nice cushion.
Heh-heh...if you named your daughter Mary, your kids would have been William and Mary. That's kind of funny. :)
LOL
Mary is so neglected right now. If it stays off the radar I could be tempted but I'm not a big fan of "the classics" so I still probably wouldn't use it. I'd love to meet a little Mary, though. I don't really like nns so I would avoid having her called Molly, Polly, etc (fortunatly not many people would make that connection anymore.)
Of your combos I like Mary Florence and Mary Fleur (this would sound nice as a double name.) My combos:
Mary Willow
Mary Faith
Mary Alexandrine
Mary Josephine
Mary Avalon
Mary Quintet
Mary Francesca
Of your combos I like Mary Florence and Mary Fleur (this would sound nice as a double name.) My combos:
Mary Willow
Mary Faith
Mary Alexandrine
Mary Josephine
Mary Avalon
Mary Quintet
Mary Francesca
This message was edited 10/5/2010, 7:42 AM