Marius – too weird?

[toja555]

I like the name, although I realise it is very uncommon. Would it be a weird name for a boy in a British society?
Any difficulties with pronouncing the name? Would it be automatically shortened to Mario?

What about Eponine Willow?

I am wondering when the first Elphaba will be named?

Eponine was another one I liked!

I joked with DH about Elphaba - Elphie is lovely :D

I've read the unabridged SirBoobAlot - although I did skim the long chapter that was basically a description of the Paris sewers!

Or Galinda

Sorry - changed name there is already an elphabathropp on mumsnet.

Nah, would have to be Glinda - Galinda wasn't very nice :D

Every little trait however small
Makes my very flesh begin to crawl
with simple utter laothing.

How about Fiyero for a boy (or is that going to mean the baby has no brains?)

There's a strange exhilaration
In such total detestation
It's so pure so strong!
Though I do admit it came on fast
Still I do believe that it can last
And I will be loathing, loathing you
My whole life long!

Well, Fiyero has got to be better than Boq!

or Biq as Galinda says. Nessarose is sort of normal though.

I saw Wicked last week - it was fantastic and the cast all came out afterwards and signed dd's programme and had photos.

Back to the OP. I do think that the name Marius has these sort of musical theatre/Victor Hugo connotations that people would be constantly commenting on it.

Willow, the unabridged gives you the whole history of the battle of Waterloo - at least twice.

I honestly loved Fiyero whilst I was pregnant as a name for DS Thankfully DP wasn't suffering from pregnancy hormones!

Don't thnk I shall be reading that then! I remeber studying the French revolution for A level history urgh!

Was wondering about whether to get the Gregory Maguire novel but dd does not have a good track record of obeying my instructions when it comes to not being allowed to read my books (she stole my later Harry Potters and read them) and as she is even more obsessed than I am I would find it very difficult to explain why she couldn't read it.

She wanted to but the Grimmerie at the theatre but I baulked at the price.

I've known someone called Marius. It's a good name; most people won't know the Les Mis or Vampire Chronicles connections. Go for it.

The novel (Wicked, not Les Miz) is far better than the musical (and I love that). Be warned it is very different and as such should not be treated as if were the book of the musical. As Gregory Maguire puts it in the Grimmerie, his novel was inspired by Baum's original book, and the musical is inspired by his novel.

I don't know how old your DD is, but it is not suitable for younger readers!!!

DandyDan - I'm not so sure. Most of us here have launched into Les Miz lyrics! Admittedly the VC connection would be less known.

Have to admit I have no idea of the VAmpire Chronicles whatever they are connection buyt I think lots know the Les Mis one.

I heard Wicked is full of very strange sex and Elphaba does actually die at the end.

Yes, that's right. No happy ending like in the musical!

But it is a wonderful book and you totally lose yourself in the world that Maguire creates.

Very political too!

elphabaisgreen - Vampire Chronicles = Anne Rice novels, most famous of which is Interview with a Vampire.

It's a very nice name. Much prefer it to Marcus.

I preferred the musical I didn't like that Elphaba died! I actually sobbed. And yes, the sex was very strange...

My father is called Marius. I'm not aware that he's ever been bullied for it or had problems with pronunciation etc. It is his middle name though, as his parents obviously had a few doubts (and he went to a school where everyone was known by their surnames). His parents were both academics, and so the Marius that they named my father for was the Roman consul and general.

Marius (pronounced Mah-ree-us) is a very common name in the South African Afrikaans community.

It's as common as Oscar/Jack/Max in the UK.

Not my favourite name, but I've known plenty in my time and they have all been good blokes.

I've only known one Marius.

He was Norwegian. He was a little odd. He kept a leg of lamb in his room for months, and shaved off little bits to eat. It stunk the house out. He also pierced his own genitals!

Thank you very much for all replies. I was initially amazed to see 47 replies, but then found most of them are about the musical!!
After the first few comments, thought I need another name than Marius. Then some comments made me have a second thought. Oh, why it is so hard to make a decision?

I know two Polish Mariuszes. I love it, and also Julius.