Where are all the Marys?

Mary (and Marie and Maria) are not at all unknown in Catholic Europe as a middle name for boys, Elephantfeet. Come to think of it, it was the middle name of one of my grandfathers. He didn't use his first name at home or with his family because it was such a corker.

It was my sister's name (Irish parents). She hated it, thought it was drab, but here in the UK it is at least uncommon.

I know it is strongly associated with Christianity but surely it is originally a Jewish/Hebrew name?

It is the English form of Miriam/Miryam, and using English forms of Jewish/Hebrew names is fairly commonplace these days, for example I know several Jewish men/boys who are Joshua on their birth certificate (as opposed to the Hebrew original Yehoshua). So in theory, it's doable.

I guess it's the fact that Mary is so strongly associated with Christianity, and it's hard to shake, but if we ever have another daughter I think we'd consider it again. Especially as there are very few girl names we love.

Same here I'm afraid. My nan called girls bits a Mary or fairy Mary and women's a hairy Mary!

I know a 4yo Mary. We're in the South.

My middle name. I'm afraid I hate it. So holy sounding so it doesn't suit me at all

My baby was going to have Mary as a middle name. Until he arrived and was a boy. Maybe next time

It's my daughter's middle name too.

I'm Irish and every second woman I know aged over 50 is Mary/Máire/Maura. Not so many under that age. But I do think it's a lovely name. It will probably make a comeback with the next generations children!

Fanny associations here too.

Which is a shame, because other than that it's a lovely name.

Outputgap -- that 1964 list is like every rollcall I ever said 'Anseo' to in school

I know a few Marys who are now 13/14 (in the US). I think it's a timeless classic.

I would say the Irish leader thing is partly due to there being so many of them the chances are many Irish women of a certain age will have a certain name or a certain set of names Mary, Catherine, Margaret, Bridget, Anne, and Elizabeth are all very solid names in the 1964 list that could have been passed down a few generations and were very popular for many years. Maria and Marie are also in the top 100 for 1964 so the theme was popular.

In some families or maybe even regions, families adhered to a tradition of naming children in order of father's parents, then mother's parents, then siblings or aunts/uncles or great grandparents, etc. You wouldn't be guaranteed that a first daughter would be called Mary, but given its long history, you might see a good few. There are none in my mother's family, which is a bit odd perhaps, and the name only comes up as a second name in my dad's, and in the case of one aunt who was given my gran's name backwards.

In 1964 you can see Caroline and Jacqueline going strong thanks to JFK.

Sorry, but my mil taught my eldest child the word Mary for her bits and it has stuck in our family.
I think our kids would find it amusing as a name.

I love it. Easy to spell, easy to pronounce, adaptable across cultures.

If only DH and I weren't (culturally) Jewish!

I know it is strongly associated with Christianity but surely it is originally a Jewish/Hebrew name?

there was an interesting book/article in Ireland a while ago talking about how so many female leaders in Ireland were called Mary - and linking it to the likelihood of the eldest girl in the family being called Mary and then getting more focus/resources because she was the eldest.

I know a 4 year old Mary in the US. the only child I know with the name. She is called Mamie as a nickname.

Well I love it.
My DDs middle name is Mary.
after my Irish Grandmother

It's a middle aged woman's name. Definitely not due for a revival!

It's my middle name and a very pretty name

I don't like it at all. All the Marys I know are staid and old-fashioned. There's another thread on Margaret/Maggie and I hate that for the same reasons.

I know of one baby Mary but it is a family name for them so it's not unexpected.

You obviously haven't been to Ireland... Mary's are everywhere! I went to school with a few in the 90's but it's most popular with women 50+. Everyone has about 17 Aunt Mary's. It's possibly one of the most boring names I've ever heard, I'm yawning just thinking about it. Definitely not due a revival IMO.

I love the name, far far prefer it to Elizabeth. It's like a simple elegant arum lily compared to a pompous gladiolus.

Love the name Mary.

If only DH and I weren't (culturally) Jewish!

In Ireland. That place is crawling with Marys. You get up too quickly and Marys will roll out of your pockets into the gaps between the sofa cushions.

Sorry couldn't resist. Its from Dara O'Briain. But I think the name is very pretty.

My 16yo sister is a Mary! I love her name.

I know a 3yo Mary!