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Baby names

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

Mary

51 replies

goldenslumbers1 · 27/11/2017 00:08

Hi all,

DH and I have a very short name shortlist for our first baby, due in Feb.

We’re having a surprise - boys name has been decided, but we can’t quite agree on a girls name.

DH likes Beatrice but I prefer Mary - I think Beatrice is a little formal, and he thinks Mary a bit plain and old fashioned!

Your thoughts please? No ideas re middle names for either name yet! Confused

OP posts:
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Buntysoven · 27/11/2017 00:14

I actually like both. Beatrice is quite formal but I see Mary as sweet rather than plain. Beatrice Mary is lovely!

stopbeingadramallama · 27/11/2017 00:14

Really don't like Beatrice.

Mary is nice but prefer Marilyn.

Pemba · 27/11/2017 00:14

I like Mary, it is simple and classic. It may have been overused in the past but quite a few decades ago. I prefer it to Beatrice (although the French pronunciation is nice, 'beer-triss' is not a particular attractive sound, although it seems fairly popular). Mary sounds fresh again now.

octonaught · 27/11/2017 00:15

Mary is probably due for a revival. I don't think I have met a single one in RL

NamasteNiki · 27/11/2017 00:16

I love Mary.

Beatrice is alot more common.

Just so you know Prince Andrew's daughter is Beatrice Elizabeth Mary. So they've used the combination of names which are nice.

Pomegranatemolasses · 27/11/2017 00:16

Mary is a really sweet name - you have just reminded me of the Mary Plsin books I adored as s child!

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 27/11/2017 00:23

Yes definitely. Very sweet pretty elegant and strong.
MN ideas
Mary Beth
Mary Alice
Mary Jane
Mary Grace
Mary Kate
Mary Frances
Mary Anna
Mary Faith
Mary Elena
Mary Teresa
Mary Eliza
Mary Florence

AnyaMoondial · 27/11/2017 03:03

I absolutely love both. Beatrice is very sweet and pretty, Mary is incredibly classic and warm. I think either way round works well too (Beatrice Mary or Mary Beatrice ). Excellent choices!

Iwanttousethatname · 27/11/2017 06:37

I like both , also Beatrix?

liquidrevolution · 27/11/2017 06:44

Mary was on my short name namelist!

Also

Anne
Fay
Lucy
Emma
Rose

Have a ridiculously long surname Grin

ChocolateCrunch · 27/11/2017 06:54

Not keen on Beatrice and its very popular right now.
Mary is classic. I don't know any young Marys, just one older Mary-Ann.

goldenslumbers1 · 27/11/2017 07:21

Thanks everyone! It’s reassuring to know that people like Mary, because it really has fallen out of fashion, but I think it’s very pretty and deserves a comeback!

We won’t decide until baby arrives anyway, so I’ve still got time to convince DH. Although, our boys name was his first choice (name passed down through family), so I think it’s only fair I get to choose the girls name Wink

OP posts:
DaisyDaisydoo · 27/11/2017 07:24

I love both but prefer Mary. Classic and beautiful

helpmum2003 · 27/11/2017 07:30

I love both and Bea is a cute nickname.

Love Mary Rose

17caterpillars1mouse · 27/11/2017 08:57

I like both. If neither of you like the others choice though maybe you should keep looking until you find a name you both like

PandaCat · 27/11/2017 08:57

I prefer Beatrice!

MammieBear · 27/11/2017 09:26

As you say if OH has picked Boy's you should pick Girl's name if that's the way you're doing it, Mary is timeless.

SuperBeagle · 27/11/2017 09:27

Prefer Mary, but would never personally use it because of the religious component.

MontyPants · 27/11/2017 09:29

Eeek, I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news but in some places Mary is a euphemism for vagina. Mary is my middle name. I hate it because of this.

Meeep · 27/11/2017 09:34

Mary is lovely and cute and so unusual these days. Totally vote Mary!

stopbeingadramallama · 27/11/2017 09:39

@MontyPants yep hairy Mary. Forgot about thta😂

Idontlikeunicorns · 27/11/2017 09:46

Sorry, where I live a Vjay is refered to as a ‘Mary’ 😳 so it’s what I think of first sorry OP. It’s the reason I don’t like Minnie either.

Sugarpiehoneyeye · 27/11/2017 10:29

❤️ Mary.

LadyGAgain · 27/11/2017 10:59

Mary is gorgeous

LadyoftheLake123 · 27/11/2017 12:22

Mary is a lovely name. It was on my list for DC1 (who turned out to be a boy!)

Beatrice very pretty too though. Agree with PPs who suggested using both - one as FN, the other as MN

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