Marian?

[BessSedgwick]

Thoughts? It's the least popular of the names we're considering, but it's got stuck in my head ... I associate it with the wonderful Marian Halcombe, but DH rightly pointed out that Maid Marian is probably a more common association!

My mum was Marian and was Welsh-its the Welsh spelling of Marion

We went for Shirley in the end; a name most people hate, but we absolutely love. DD2 loves it too thankfully!

Also, I love the Airplane films

Have you thought of Miriam? It's not as frilly as Marianne and the stress is on the first syllable, and there's no Maid Miriam that I know of! It's just Hebrew/Arabic for Mary originally.

Miriam is one of my favourites - pretty without being frilly

Very nice. And my first teacher was a Marian, lovely lady. Definitely go for it.

I do love Miriam too!

Marianne and Marian are pronounced differently though.
Mari-ANNE V MARian

There are very many Marians aged about 60 (where I live, at least). If that doesn't put you off go for it. I prefer Rosie.

I like it a lot. Marian is infinitely preferable to Marianne.

Really nice

Sorry I really don't like it.

I prefer Marianne, but Marian is very nice too. I like the Marian spelling better than Marion.

I like Marian, don’t know any, love Marianne and also (vaguely associated names)
Mari (which works better as an NN of Marian) and
Marina (Greek, I think)

Marion is nicer. French/Cornish links I think?

I love it (prefer Marion). I think of Marion from The Music Man.

I think Marian and Miriam are really, really lovely. Think I prefer Miriam. I also think Marianne is a bit frilly (still really nice, just prefer Marian)

Beautiful

I prefer Miriam too. I'm not sure about Marian. The ones I know are in their 70s but of course lots of old names about - it's better than Mabel. I love Martha.
To the pp who chose Shirley...I haven't heard that name in years. It's adorable.

It's my name, I am in my 50s and noone has EVER suggested that it's a boy's name!

Ooh no, very 70s

Marian is a lovely name!

I love Marian Halcombe, what a gal, but I mainly associate the name Marian with Catholicism. Too churchy for me.

People have always struggled to shorten it (which I like), although I have occasionally had 'Maz' which I refuse to answer to. It is unusual- I know of one my age and a few older. On the other hand I ALWAYS have to spell it out (which is tedious).

I prefer Marian to Marianne. They're pronounced slightly differently to me.

I like it - makes me think of Maid Marian.

@luciasanta

I would have thought Marian was a boy's name? I was just going to post that I loved it! But not for a girl!

It's a girls name. Never seen Robin Hood?