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Baby names

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Original poster

How do you spell the version of Marie that's pronounced MAR-ee rather than Muh-REE?

39 replies

SundayRoast · 24/08/2008 00:38

Or are they both spelled Marie and you just have to tell everyone?

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mawbroon · 29/08/2008 20:59

Have sis called Mairi. Pronouced MA-REE

Tis Gaelic for Mary I believe.

Botbot · 29/08/2008 20:52

Mairi is nice though.

[I'll shut up now]

Botbot · 29/08/2008 20:51

still poncy though.

Botbot · 29/08/2008 20:51

Actually, come to think of it, it may have been pronounced 'Marry'. Hmm.

Botbot · 29/08/2008 20:50

One of my friends from school (haven't seen her for years, and apologies if she's an mner) had a mum called Marie-pronounced-MAR-ee. We all just thought it was a bit poncy.

StealthPolarBear · 29/08/2008 16:27

mhari

MrsTittleMouse · 29/08/2008 15:56

I've known two, both spelled Mari.

bigmouthstrikesagain · 29/08/2008 15:56

lol - My dad was a scouser (scotch/ irish parents) and Mum refused to call me Marie when they were deciding on names - as Dad pronounced it Mar-ee and it set her teeth on edge!

frankiesbestfriend · 29/08/2008 15:51

Gorgeous little girl in dds class is Mairi, pronounced MAH-ri

Fimbo · 29/08/2008 15:48

My Aunt is Marian but is known as Mari.

EachPeachPearMum · 29/08/2008 15:45

The 'Marry' we know is spelled Marie.
I think you just have to be proactive in pronouncing it to other people.

frazzledoldbag34 · 29/08/2008 14:35

Why not spell it Maree if you want it pronounced like that? Or is that a bit naff? Dunno, just asking.

G2B · 26/08/2008 15:00

I have both of these in the family.

Mari is how it is spelt.

Marie is marie.

Original poster
SundayRoast · 25/08/2008 22:22

Self-indulgent bump!

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Original poster
SundayRoast · 25/08/2008 09:56

Thanks for all the feedback - who knew that there were so many ways to spell/pronounce the same name?! Good to know there are some places where she won't have to explain herself though! I think Mairi is a pretty spelling.

Now wondering about:

Mairi Edith
Mairi Elizabeth or
Mairi Edith Elizabeth

(Edith is my mum's name and Elizabeth is MIL's, so would be good to have them both but is that too many names?)

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soph28 · 24/08/2008 22:30

We are all scottish and my aunt is Marie,
my sister's middle name is Marie and in fact everyone I know called Marie it is pronounced MAR-ee.

mamaberta · 24/08/2008 22:27

DSis is a Mari (marry) tho' christened Marie. She dropped the 'e' for reasons best known to herself. I don't think she has ever had much difficulty getting people to say her name right. We're all Irish so it's interesting to hear the Scottish bit.

MmeLindt · 24/08/2008 22:27

Here in Germany we pronounce Marie MAR-ee. I think it depends on your accent, and where you live.

Olihan · 24/08/2008 22:24

I have a scottish friend called Mairi and she pronounces it 'marry'. Just to cloud the issue further .

Mairi is prettier than Marie though, imo.

Dior · 24/08/2008 22:24

Message withdrawn

squeaver · 24/08/2008 22:16

have seen Mairi and Mari.

rodg82 · 24/08/2008 22:15

i shared a houes with a girl when i was a student called maree said the way you want!
prefer it spelt mairi tho i must admit - it looks prettier i think!

Romy7 · 24/08/2008 12:36

this made me think of 'mah-riel's wedding' lol.

names are so tricky - i had an unfortunate experience with a 'sile' who turned out to be 'sheila'.

i always get it wrong.

MakemineaGandT · 24/08/2008 12:30

I have a friend called Mah-ree (spelt Mahrie)

Original poster
SundayRoast · 24/08/2008 11:58

Thanks all Think she will have to spend a lifetime explaining it (because even spelled Mairi, people like me would probably still pronounce it Mary! ) but I have a (semi-Spanish) friend who spells her name Sara and pronounces it Sarah, and she seems to cope

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