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Baby names

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Original poster

Is Mary too old?

80 replies

appleraspberry · 15/06/2025 21:08

Mary is our top choice at the minute, most likely with the middle Josephine, Elizabeth or Christina. We live in Ireland where near enough every older woman we know is some form of Mary, and we’ve only ever heard of one younger Mary who is 19. I don’t think Mary will make much of a comeback in the future, my concern would be Mary potentially becoming the next Agnes or Mildred. All opinions would be lovely

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SallySummerPop · 24/06/2025 08:06

Mary is gorgeous! If it wasn't for some family having the same, I would use it. Maybe not with Josephine cos of Mary and Joseph, unless that's what you like :)

Flannelfeet · 16/06/2025 15:03

Nicebrightday · 16/06/2025 09:15

Here is a bit more info
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mhairi

Edited
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Thank you, its pretty interesting.

Moveoverdarlin · 16/06/2025 09:23

reversegear · 16/06/2025 02:38

You just named my mums (84) times WI friendship group 🤣

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That’s exactly what I did! Perhaps our mothers in the same group.

Ninkynonkpinkyponks · 16/06/2025 09:19

I love it! Pls have a Mary

sashh · 16/06/2025 09:18

There is a 7 year old granddaughter of one of my neighbours. She is a lovely girl who is in love with my cat.

Nicebrightday · 16/06/2025 09:15

Flannelfeet · 16/06/2025 07:31

Oh is it, thank you for telling me, ive always thought it was Irish, 😆 🤣

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Here is a bit more info
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mhairi

Mhairi - Wikipedia

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mhairi

allmycats · 16/06/2025 08:49

Mary is a beautiful classic name. Go for it !

Sid9nie · 16/06/2025 08:36

Mary is a classic name. It's not as popular as it once was but it's always there.

MargotTenenbaumscoat · 16/06/2025 08:35

Mary is beautiful.

HappydaysArehere · 16/06/2025 08:20

Love Mary as it is the name of a once family member. She was the sweetest person you could imagine.

SunnieShine · 16/06/2025 08:15

Lovely name, you can't go wrong.

deeahgwitch · 16/06/2025 08:14

Moveoverdarlin · 15/06/2025 21:20

I think it became the next Mildred or Anges 30 years ago. Everyone so far seems to love it, so go for it, but I think of really old ladies. Not women in their 80s now - they are Janet, Pam, Maureen, Lyn, Brenda, Sally. But women over a hundred years old.

You’re obviously not living in Ireland as the OP is.
Those names you mention would not be as widely used in Ireland as in the UK in the time frame you use.
Back in the day, as Ireland was largely a Catholic country with huge influence from the Church it was the norm to give your child a Catholic saint’s name. Mary, as the mother of Jesus was especially venerated, hence so many Marys.
With the waning of the Church’s influence the popularity of Mary and the saint’s names waned too.

EzWin2 · 16/06/2025 08:00

Mary Josephine is so lovely! There’s a huge range of different names being used today so I wouldn’t worry about that. I can picture a little toddler Mary and I think it’s adorable.

Flannelfeet · 16/06/2025 07:31

Nicebrightday · 15/06/2025 23:26

It’s Scottish Gaelic, not Irish.
Máire is Irish for Mary.

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Oh is it, thank you for telling me, ive always thought it was Irish, 😆 🤣

TheMummyJade · 16/06/2025 06:15

Very sweet name, I say you use it. It is timeless and elegant x

reversegear · 16/06/2025 02:38

Moveoverdarlin · 15/06/2025 21:20

I think it became the next Mildred or Anges 30 years ago. Everyone so far seems to love it, so go for it, but I think of really old ladies. Not women in their 80s now - they are Janet, Pam, Maureen, Lyn, Brenda, Sally. But women over a hundred years old.

You just named my mums (84) times WI friendship group 🤣

renthead · 16/06/2025 02:20

It’s DD2’s middle name but I sometimes wish I had chosen it as her first one. I always get excited when I meet a Mary.

Devianinc · 16/06/2025 02:08

How about maryjane

user1492757084 · 16/06/2025 02:06

Mary is gorgeous.
Known, not common but with great history.

Nicebrightday · 15/06/2025 23:26

Flannelfeet · 15/06/2025 22:26

My name is mhairi, pronounced marry which is apparently the gaelic Irish for mary. So my mum told me 😆 🤣

It’s Scottish Gaelic, not Irish.
Máire is Irish for Mary.

TheaBrandt1 · 15/06/2025 23:23

It’s pretty rare in a sea of Eves/Lilys/Sophies and Amelias.

PizzaSophiaLoren · 15/06/2025 23:18

It’s a lovely name and actually quite rare these days. Pretty, classic, and not very common - perfect!

2chocolateoranges · 15/06/2025 23:11

Im not a fan, it’s so dated. I also wouldn’t give a child a name whereby they are going to end up being called “little whatever“

im from Glasgow and whenever I hear the name Mary, I think of the name Mary Doll as it’s a character from a Scottish programme.

AnneMarieW · 15/06/2025 23:07

Mary Elizabeth is especially beautiful- so classic feeling rather than “old” , I can imagine one of any age. Although I can see the charm of Mary Josephine, especially as “MJ” is quite cute.

I suspect Mary will become much more popular amongst the younger generation sooner rather than later anyway, as it has all the same qualities as many popular/trendy names at the moment - 2 syllables and ends in an “ee” sound, slight retro feel (hundred year rule), and a cool trendy nickname in May. Tbh I’m surprised I don’t know many young ones yet - I’d get in ahead of the crowd OP!

vincettenoir · 15/06/2025 22:59

Agree with @Moveoverdarlin that it’s too dated to be a common name for boomers now. But it’s a timeless name and if you like it, go for it.