Marcia as in Marcia Brady

[Liz09]

Husband has just decided that he likes Marcia (Marsha?) as a potential name for our baby due later this month. The only Marcia I know (of) is Marcia Brady, so it seems very 60s/70s to me, not that that bothers me too much as I assume those names will have a come back eventually.

How do we all feel about Marcia? Should I be donning my flame suit for liking something that seems so uncool?

[DeltaSunrise]

My boss is called Marcia (Mar-See-ah) so if a saw the name I would probably pronounce it that way at first. It's a nice name.

My Aunty is called Marsha and while not keen on the name itself, it does make me think of my Aunty who is lovely so would make me smile if I heard the name. It makes a change to Martha and she'll probably be the only one in her class.

My aunt (Marsha) and uncle called their dd Misha (Mee-Sha) which I've always thought was lovely.

If you like it, go for it.

[Just5minswithDacre]

To me, Marcia pronounced Marsha is very specifically American. Like Colin pronounced Coe-Lyn.

[karmapolice97]

I know a 4 year old Marcia (Mar-see-ah) and while it took a little getting used to, and people are unsure about how to say it ie Mar-sha, it really has grown on me and suits the little girl.

[MackerelOfFact]

The only Marcia I know is in her early 30s and she's incredibly intelligent and stunning (no, it's not me ) and it suits her so it has good connotations for me!

[Liz09]

I should clarify that we're in Australia, so I'm not sure how people would assume they should pronounce it... The only associations are Marcia Brady and Marcia Hines (both Marsha), but both are also American. Hmm.

[Just5minswithDacre]

Oh okay. Is Marcia pronounced the European (Mar-see-ah) also very unusual in Aus?

[DeltaSunrise]

I'm in NZ. My manager Marica (Mar-See-Ah) is a kiwi.

I don't know if it would be pronounced the same in NZ as in Aus.

My Aunty Marsha is English.

[Liz09]

I don't know anyone named Marcia personally, but haven't heard OF anyone pronouncing it Mar-see-uh. But that doesn't mean much coming from me haha.

[Tiggeryoubastard]

I've only ever known it as Mar see ah but I haven't a clue who the people you've mentioned are.

[DeltaSunrise]

That should be Marcia, not Marica.

[Liz09]

DeltaSunrise Haha, I didn't even notice!

[pieceofpurplesky]

I have not heard of Marcia pronounced
Marsha but have heard it as Mar-see-a.
Lovely name either way

[Just5minswithDacre]

It is a gorgeous name.

[Tiggeryoubastard]

It's definitely Mar see ah

[Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost]

Very pretty name. Much nicer pronounced
Mar-see-er as appose to Mar-sher

[MitzyLeFrouf]

Oh the poor people who live in SE England and pronounce 'a' as 'er'.

[2nds]

It's not just SE England, my fella is from Leicestershire and he pronounces a as er.

OP if you aren't sold on Marcia, what about Marcy? I immediately thought of Marcy out of Married with children when I saw this thread BTW :-)

[JazzAnnNonMouse]

Much prefer it said Mar see a than marsha
Marsha makes me think of Marsh mallow marching and squashing...

[JazzAnnNonMouse]

Whereas Marcia makes me think of a v glamorous 40s film star

[Liz09]

Thanks everyone! Husband won't have a bar of mar-see-uh and doesn't like Marcy, so looks like we'll be scratching Marcia altogether.

[Raines100]

We don't pronounce 'a' the same as 'er'. We pronounce 'er' the same as 'a' because the 'r' is non-rhotic. No, I don't know why I'm nit-picking either

[CanadaMoose]

It's lovely. Your daughter won't be one in a field of Marcias, and it's got some sort of charm to it. Go with it - finally something different on Mumsnet!

[2nds]

Marcella?