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Baby names

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Original poster

Is Marianne different enough to Marian?

42 replies

shoppingtrolley · 04/10/2012 10:53

I love Marianne but don't like Marian at all - do you think they are different enough?

Also what's your favourite of these:
Mary
Marianne
Miranda
Martha

Thanks!

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eryan · 04/10/2012 21:36

From your list I like Marianne and Miranda. We are also considering Marianne and I agree that it's completely different to Marian, which I don't like either.

Melpomene · 04/10/2012 19:54

When I saw the thread title I thought you meant that you already had a Marian and were thinking of calling your second daughter Marianne!

NoWayNoHow · 04/10/2012 19:52

Marianne is very different from Marian - different sound, look, pronunciation.

To throw in a curve ball, I also really like Arianne...

ditzydrawers · 04/10/2012 19:39

I reckon that Mary may have a resurgence due to Downton!

I really do think there is a big difference between Marian and Marianne. I remember my HV, when she saw DD's name, said: 'Oh, my mother's name is Marian!' and I smiled politely and nodded but was thinking: 'But that's COMPLETELY different!'

baskingseals · 04/10/2012 17:28

love Marianne and also Miranda.

don't like Marian at all - i do think there is a difference.

thegreylady · 04/10/2012 15:44

Kind love Mary-so under used these days too.

Original poster
shoppingtrolley · 04/10/2012 14:25

That's useful, ditzy, to hear the name is working out for your DD!

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ditzydrawers · 04/10/2012 14:25

I loved Martha too - clearly have a thing for M names!

Clarabumps · 04/10/2012 14:13

I have a 6 week old Martha Grin it's a marmite name. Some people LOVE it and some don't like it at all. People's reactions to loving it far out weigh the ones who don't like it. Martha is my favourite!! Obviously!!

ditzydrawers · 04/10/2012 14:08

named our DD - not just mine!

ditzydrawers · 04/10/2012 14:07

I totally agree, shoppingtrolley. Love Marianne. Not keen on Marion/Marian/Miriam. Don't really like Marianna either - the 'a' somehow makes it too fussy. Apologies to anyone with those names - just my own personal taste.

Anyway, DH and I loved the name Marianne so much we named my DD it! It has great nickname potential, has very cool namesakes (Faithfull and Dashwood) and it's so gorgeous and elegant for later years.

Original poster
shoppingtrolley · 04/10/2012 13:07

Thanks everyone! I do love Martha too.

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Jusfloatingby · 04/10/2012 12:01

Different enough from each other Seeker.

To me they are totally different names - one is lovely, one is bleh.

Likewise, as I said yesterday on another thread, I dislike the names Jean, Joan and June but adore the name Jane.

Sometimes, even when two names look very similar, they can have totally different associations for people. It's amazing how even adding an 'a' onto a name sometimes really changes it in people's perception.

Original poster
shoppingtrolley · 04/10/2012 11:54

Well, they have a different load of cultural/historical associations and a different sound for me, but I wanted to check whether they did for others too. Lol but I can see that written down they look almost the same Smile

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seeker · 04/10/2012 11:51

"I love Marianne but don't like Marian at all - do you think they are different enough? "

different enough for what? To me they are practically the same name- and I feel equally lukewarm about both. But you have strong feelings about one so only you can know whether the other produces the same strong feeling, surely?

[puzzled emotion]

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shoppingtrolley · 04/10/2012 11:50

But to be fair if you were growing up you might find LC's Marianne funner than TW's Martha to put on while you did your makeup etc. TW's is too heartbreaking!

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squoosh · 04/10/2012 11:48

Tom Waits 'Martha' is heart breakingly beautiful! My second favourite TW song. Prefer it to Leonard Cohen's Marianne.

Sorry Leonard!

lynniep · 04/10/2012 11:45

I really like Marianne (was on my list but DH hated - never had a girl anyway!)
I saw the name Miryama once and thought that was also pretty. I dont really like just 'Miryam' but I quite like Mira. If that exists. and Mirelle. But I don't know how you'd pronounce (MIR-ELL or MIR-AY or MY-RELL)

Original poster
shoppingtrolley · 04/10/2012 11:39

I love these M names!

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Original poster
shoppingtrolley · 04/10/2012 11:38

Martha is super cute but just v similar to a family member's name. Martha has a great Tom Waits song to go with it!

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flopsy1974 · 04/10/2012 11:37

Marianne is a lovely name and much prettier than Marion. I have a Martha so that is my favourite from your list Smile

Original poster
shoppingtrolley · 04/10/2012 11:21

Marianna is very pretty but I like Marianne as it is a bit more different without that 'a' ending lots of names have now. Maybe she could be called that for fun occasionally!

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Jusfloatingby · 04/10/2012 11:19

I see someone mentioned Marianna. That's really lovely.

Jusfloatingby · 04/10/2012 11:18

There is a world of difference between Marianne and Marian. One is so elegant and poetic and the other is so frumpy and mumsy.

I also like Miranda.

Original poster
shoppingtrolley · 04/10/2012 11:16

Yes - or to an extent Clementine. 'Oh my darlin' etc.

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