Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Mary

69 replies

Justchanged · 26/04/2017 19:19

Any thoughts on whether Mary is ready for a revival? It's a family name and the more I think about it the more cute it sounds for a little girl - feminine, pretty, classic and strong. Or am I getting carried away?

I also like Joan.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
SuperBeagle · 28/04/2017 01:44

Mary is veeeeery religious but "Irish" doesn't spring to mind when I hear it.

RavenclawWriter · 28/04/2017 01:33

Mary is a family name for me too but I've got the name Mari on my list. It feels a bit fresher while still being a tribute.

KERALA1 · 27/04/2017 22:42

Love Mary classic and simple and underused amongst all the graces and Isabel's

MitzyLeFrouf · 27/04/2017 22:23

Mary is too religious for me and Joan is too ugly.

BanjaxedFecker · 27/04/2017 21:49

"Mary is awful too, but I think for me that's because I can;t imagine anyone not being Irish Catholic with that name." = Snowinapril

Some lovely subtle bigotry on this thread, I have to say.

Ooooh, too catholic, oooh bit too, you know, religious...ooooooooh! They might think im a genuflecting leprechaun with four thousand children!
Jaysus.
It's just a fuckin name.
yours sincerely,
MARY.

AvaCrowder2 · 27/04/2017 21:48

I really like Mary and Joan. And Marie, Jean and Jane.

Shamoffour · 27/04/2017 21:35

Mary is pretty popular at our school. There are a few in each year. It's my dds middle name. I like it.

villainousbroodmare · 27/04/2017 21:33

Love Mary. Joan less so. Jean is cool.

user1459464195 · 27/04/2017 17:45

I adore Mary and really like Molly and Polly as nicknames. Not so keen on Joan, not sure why.

CruCru · 27/04/2017 16:50

I like Mary a lot.

Hellobye · 27/04/2017 14:38

Never liked Mary. I'm in my 50s and knew one in school and it was old-fashioned then but not in a granny chic way.

Rinceoir · 27/04/2017 14:03

That link failed! Try again!

Rinceoir · 27/04/2017 14:02

I love Mary and think it's due a revival. [[
www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.theatlantic.com/amp/article/265881/ Interesting article]].

Unfortunately I can't use it myself as like every Irish person I have an aunt Mary (in fact I have 2, a MIL and a grandmother) so would be too confusing!

squoosh · 27/04/2017 14:01

I’ve just checked the Irish baby name stats and Mary was at no. 74 in 2015! So still pretty popular there.

squoosh · 27/04/2017 13:58

And I don’t like Joan either. There are lots of sensible un-fussy names that are lovely, Jane or Susan for example, but Joan is not appealing to me on any level. There’s a Shakespeare quote about ‘greasy Joan’ that always springs to mind.

Rockaby · 27/04/2017 13:57

I love Mary! It was on my list for DD and would still consider it. I quite like Maria as well.

Joan has been ruined for me by an awful one I know. Joni is ok but have to nerdily point out that it isn't Joni Mitchell's real name, just a nn I think 🤓.

squoosh · 27/04/2017 13:53

Far too religious for me. But if you didn't have a Catholic upbringing you probably won't have the same associations.

SnowinApril123 · 27/04/2017 13:41

Joan is dreadful, I can;t imaging this name getting a revival anytime soon - sorry OP.

Mary is awful too, but I think for me that's because I can;t imagine anyone not being Irish Catholic with that name.

pipilangstrumpf · 27/04/2017 12:28

Mary is lovely!

You should hope it isn't due a revival - so it doesn't become too trendy Smile

TheForgetfulCat · 27/04/2017 12:20

Mary is lovely.

Joan is more of its time but is the name of my awesome grandmother and my own middle name, so I'd be delighted to see it revived!

WhenLoveAndCakeCollide · 27/04/2017 12:18

Oh sorry, meant to say, I also love Joan. And Jean.

My dad is John, and as they're feminine forms, I'd love to use either as a middle name.

WhenLoveAndCakeCollide · 27/04/2017 12:17

Absolutely beautiful name. It's on our list for DD (due July).

In a sea of little girls being named Amelia, Olivia, Isabella etc, a Mary would be refreshing change no?!

Moresaltedcaramel · 27/04/2017 06:37

Sorry, think they're both very dull and plain. Solid and unimaginative.

ScarletSienna · 27/04/2017 06:16

I know a 6 year old Mary and I'm still not sure it suits her! The 58 year old one I know gets it shortened (although discouraged) to 'Mare' which is horrible sounding.

Also there's rhyme:
Aunty Mary had a canary up the leg of her drawers.
When she farted it departed to a round of applause

I like Joan and Joni. Mary, I don't.

CakeRattleandRoll · 27/04/2017 06:13

Love Mary. It would have been on shortlist for DD, but really doesn't work with our surname.