Mary

[goldenslumbers1]

Hi all,

DH and I have a very short name shortlist for our first baby, due in Feb.

We’re having a surprise - boys name has been decided, but we can’t quite agree on a girls name.

DH likes Beatrice but I prefer Mary - I think Beatrice is a little formal, and he thinks Mary a bit plain and old fashioned!

Your thoughts please? No ideas re middle names for either name yet!

[Buntysoven]

I actually like both. Beatrice is quite formal but I see Mary as sweet rather than plain. Beatrice Mary is lovely!

[stopbeingadramallama]

Really don't like Beatrice.

Mary is nice but prefer Marilyn.

[Pemba]

I like Mary, it is simple and classic. It may have been overused in the past but quite a few decades ago. I prefer it to Beatrice (although the French pronunciation is nice, 'beer-triss' is not a particular attractive sound, although it seems fairly popular). Mary sounds fresh again now.

[octonaught]

Mary is probably due for a revival. I don't think I have met a single one in RL

[NamasteNiki]

I love Mary.

Beatrice is alot more common.

Just so you know Prince Andrew's daughter is Beatrice Elizabeth Mary. So they've used the combination of names which are nice.

[Pomegranatemolasses]

Mary is a really sweet name - you have just reminded me of the Mary Plsin books I adored as s child!

[Awwlookatmybabyspider]

Yes definitely. Very sweet pretty elegant and strong.
MN ideas
Mary Beth
Mary Alice
Mary Jane
Mary Grace
Mary Kate
Mary Frances
Mary Anna
Mary Faith
Mary Elena
Mary Teresa
Mary Eliza
Mary Florence

[AnyaMoondial]

I absolutely love both. Beatrice is very sweet and pretty, Mary is incredibly classic and warm. I think either way round works well too (Beatrice Mary or Mary Beatrice ). Excellent choices!

[Iwanttousethatname]

I like both , also Beatrix?

[liquidrevolution]

Mary was on my short name namelist!

Also

Anne
Fay
Lucy
Emma
Rose

Have a ridiculously long surname

[ChocolateCrunch]

Not keen on Beatrice and its very popular right now.
Mary is classic. I don't know any young Marys, just one older Mary-Ann.

[goldenslumbers1]

Thanks everyone! It’s reassuring to know that people like Mary, because it really has fallen out of fashion, but I think it’s very pretty and deserves a comeback!

We won’t decide until baby arrives anyway, so I’ve still got time to convince DH. Although, our boys name was his first choice (name passed down through family), so I think it’s only fair I get to choose the girls name

[DaisyDaisydoo]

I love both but prefer Mary. Classic and beautiful

[helpmum2003]

I love both and Bea is a cute nickname.

Love Mary Rose

[17caterpillars1mouse]

I like both. If neither of you like the others choice though maybe you should keep looking until you find a name you both like

[PandaCat]

I prefer Beatrice!

[MammieBear]

As you say if OH has picked Boy's you should pick Girl's name if that's the way you're doing it, Mary is timeless.

[SuperBeagle]

Prefer Mary, but would never personally use it because of the religious component.

[MontyPants]

Eeek, I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news but in some places Mary is a euphemism for vagina. Mary is my middle name. I hate it because of this.

[Meeep]

Mary is lovely and cute and so unusual these days. Totally vote Mary!

[stopbeingadramallama]

@MontyPants yep hairy Mary. Forgot about thta😂

[Idontlikeunicorns]

Sorry, where I live a Vjay is refered to as a ‘Mary’ 😳 so it’s what I think of first sorry OP. It’s the reason I don’t like Minnie either.

[Sugarpiehoneyeye]

❤️ Mary.

[LadyGAgain]

Mary is gorgeous

[LadyoftheLake123]

Mary is a lovely name. It was on my list for DC1 (who turned out to be a boy!)

Beatrice very pretty too though. Agree with PPs who suggested using both - one as FN, the other as MN