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Baby names

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Original poster

Maria or Marie?

28 replies

VictoriaOKeefe · 25/01/2013 08:28

What's the Mumsnet collective think of these names?

I shy away from Maria because I am all but certain she'll be hearing "How do you solve a problem like Maria?" (The Sound of Music) and "Maria! I've just met a girl named Maria!" (West Side Story) until she wants to strangle someone.

With Marie, there's the nickname "Baby Marie" as a turn-off

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MidnightMasquerader · 25/01/2013 08:34

Maria is definitely nicer. But yes, there is a quite a pick of well-known musicals for her to be serenaded with, isn't there...? Grin

You could always go with the Mar-eye-a pronunciation, if you really think it is going to be a problem. In all honesty, I don't think it would, though...

somewhatavoidant · 25/01/2013 08:37

Marie always confuses me; is is MArie or MarIE? I prefer Maria!

RuchedCurtain · 25/01/2013 08:38

Maria every time!

BouncyPenguin · 25/01/2013 08:39

Maria. I think it is lovely for DC to be serenaded. They are both cool songs from great musicals. Neither of my DC have songs with their names in but I add their names in to all sorts of songs and DS1 now joins in. I'm a bit silly!

AlanMoore · 25/01/2013 08:46

Love them both! Which goes best with your surname?

Blanketsandpillows · 25/01/2013 08:53

Maria! Love it! Marie is nice too but I only like it if MarIE and don't like MARie-and I know people who go by both.

Kirk1 · 25/01/2013 08:54

I prefer Maria, but that's DDs name so I'm biased. And yes she's named for West Side Story, MIL objected on the basis of "How do you solve a problem like Maria" (I sing that at her a lot ATM, we're having minor behaviour battles) and she's banned from dating boys named TonyWink Also "Ave Maria" was playing on the radio when she was born so we took that as a sign we had the right name!

My middle name is Marie, and I never really liked the sound of it. I think the reason there are SO many songs that use it is that it has a nice singing sound. Doesn't lend itself to shortening easily, so if you like short names that is off putting.

Original poster
VictoriaOKeefe · 25/01/2013 09:39

I was looking to name her something that was "pretty dresses and perfume" because I am against the modern trend of boys names on girls

OP posts:
wigglesrock · 25/01/2013 09:59

I like both - Maria by a nose probably. If it helps my daughters name rhymes with Maria and my Mum just sings the two songs you've mentioned but puts her name in instead - so if its going to happen it'll happen Grin

forgetmenots · 25/01/2013 10:04

Maria. I agree with blanketsandpillows, Marie has pronunciation issues.

Also like Marina and Marielle.

sanityawol · 25/01/2013 10:04

Watching this thread as my name is one of the options... I can assure you that I'm about as far away from "pretty dresses and perfume" as you can get Wink

amck5700 · 25/01/2013 10:06

Maria is nicer than Marie or you could have

Marielle
Marianne
Mairi
Marissa

LimelightsontheChristmastree · 25/01/2013 10:17

Well I may be a little biased here because I'm a Maria outs herself on MN. I thought you might like the perspective of someone who's lived with it?

I absolutely love my name. There are a lot of songs it's true. My Mam always says that when I was small i used to cry when she sang them to me because I couldn't cope with there being any more Marias in the world! (revealing self-centred nature at a young age).

But I don't often meet other Marias. It's perennially popular without being over-used in the UK I think (not the case in other parts of Europe of course). And I get a lot of comments about having a beautiful name. Because it is very beautiful I think, and classy (oh the irony!).

Downside is people getting it wrong - Marie, Mariah, Mary, Marion... You wouldn't think it's hard but apparently it is!

LimelightsontheChristmastree · 25/01/2013 10:22

Just noticed the 'pretty dresses and flowers' thing. Not me either I'm afraid. Not even remotely.

And just to complicate things further, I was actually named after my Grandfather... Wink

Kirk1 · 25/01/2013 10:35

DD isn't pretty dresses and flowers either, not since age oh 7. She's more likely to be up a tree than fussing about her dress. She went through her pink period pretty fast.

sanityawol · 25/01/2013 10:39

Oh, and there's also the all-time classic Marie Marie by Shakin Stevens as well.. Fortunately that one should have been long forgotten by the time your DD gets to school! Grin.

monica77798 · 25/01/2013 11:03

I think they are both great, but Marie is probably more suited as a middle name than a first name.

Original poster
VictoriaOKeefe · 25/01/2013 11:03

I just don't get the boys names on girls trend or the denigration of the Girly-Girl. Hoping our daughters will follow masculine ideals isn't feminism.

OP posts:
airedailleurs · 25/01/2013 11:05

I used Maria as a middle name as I have always loved it but I chose something a bit more original as a first name.

Do you like Marina?

thegreylady · 25/01/2013 20:54

Mariah
Mhairi
I prefer Maria to Marie
My favourite would be Mary which I think is beautiful.

NowPlayingZone · 27/01/2013 22:25

Maria. Just because.

bootsycollins · 27/01/2013 22:32

Marie is my middle name, I really wish it was Maria, such a beautiful, pretty name and lovely on a baby girl, teenager and woman too, it's a classic.

Rhubarbgarden · 27/01/2013 22:58

Going against the grain, I prefer Marie. But both are nice.

pinkandyellowbutterfly · 27/01/2013 23:09

Mary?

Skyebluesapphire · 27/01/2013 23:18

I know one of each and think that both names are very pretty. Neither of them had a problem with songs or pronouniatuon.

I prefer Maria, or Anne-Marie