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Baby names

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

Original poster

thoughts on Maria

64 replies

pigeonstew · 21/05/2025 19:06

I keep coming back to Maria... then drifting away.. then returning again. What do you think about Maria

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Tbrh · 21/05/2025 21:26

I don't like it because everyone in the world has that name or a variation of it. In saying that it's better than Mary of some of the other variations

teatimefortiger · 21/05/2025 21:24

I like it (but it is my middle name!). I think it is much less dated than Mary. I like a previous posters suggestion of Marianne. How about Mirren?

TimeForABreak4 · 21/05/2025 21:20

It's my second dds middle name after her Italian grandmother.

davidtennantstattoo · 21/05/2025 21:17

Very dated.

JollyGreenSnake · 21/05/2025 21:15

Gorgeous name. There's a Maria in our nursery.

AnneMarieW · 21/05/2025 21:02

Elegant, timeless, international classic that has only occasionally fallen out of the Top 100 historically in England; yet because it’s never made something like the Top 20 either afaik, doesn’t feel at all too popular. Maria is obviously most popular with Catholic families or with non-British heritage, but it’s still well used enough in the UK in general that I don’t think it’s a big deal if you don’t fall into those groups.

As for nn’s - Mia is the traditional one (like for Maria “Mia” Farrow for example) but May is used too (just like for variant name Mary) or occasionally Mimi, so there’s plenty of choice.

MayaPinion · 21/05/2025 20:50

It’s lovely, timeless, and classic. Lovely nicknames/alternatives - Mari, Mary, Mia, Ria, Ari, Marina.

user2848502016 · 21/05/2025 20:47

I like it, I’d call it traditional rather than dated

Marianne could be an alternative, then you could shorten to Maria if you wanted.

I also like Mariah

MariaMeringue · 21/05/2025 20:37

It’s my name and I’ve always liked it :)

DeSoleil · 21/05/2025 20:35

I prefer Marie.

PeppermintPatty10 · 21/05/2025 20:33

I love it! It's a beautiful name, and not overused. Timeless and classic.

Beyondburnout · 21/05/2025 20:33

I'd assume the family are Christians. It's ok think I prefer mary.

bnmshortcut · 21/05/2025 20:32

It’s my mums name which meant I couldn’t use it, but I think it’s beautiful

Pieceofpurplesky · 21/05/2025 20:31

Lovely. One of my favourite ever pupils was a Maria.

cramptramp · 21/05/2025 20:28

Love it. Classic and very pretty.

GlobalCitz · 21/05/2025 20:24

PS: Mimi or Mi (mee) are cute nicknames

GlobalCitz · 21/05/2025 20:23

Biased as it's DD's name, but it's a classic aristocratic/royal name in my country (and neighbouring ones)

It travels remarkably well and practically everyone can pronounce it and spell it, which mattered to us as we moved a lot.

Polecat07 · 21/05/2025 19:37

I noticed I loved this name just the other day! So pretty and flows nicely, like someone upthread mentioned.
I don't know why I didn't appreciate it sooner, really.

Bigearringsbigsmile · 21/05/2025 19:35

If you say it loud it's like music playing and if you say it soft then it's almost like praying.
What's not to like?

YYYDlilah · 21/05/2025 19:33

Natsku · 21/05/2025 19:20

Downside is it's hard to make a nickname out of

Yeh. Well nigh impossible. Heard of Mia, Masha, Maia, Ria?

RumbleHoney · 21/05/2025 19:32

Gorgeous name and like a PP says, very international.

YYYDlilah · 21/05/2025 19:30

Show me the way to Amarillo

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 21/05/2025 19:30

Natsku · 21/05/2025 19:20

Downside is it's hard to make a nickname out of

Why do you need a nickname?

suah · 21/05/2025 19:29

I love it! It’s timeless, I don’t think it’s dated at all. Lovely sound, easy to spell, international etc. It would be in my top 5 if it wasn’t for the fact that it’s super close to my MIL’s name

PluckyBamboo · 21/05/2025 19:28

Makes me hum the Blondie tune 😄. Perfectly nice classic name.

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