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Baby names

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

Original poster

Mary

96 replies

Spookypig · 21/10/2022 00:19

I love Mary. Which is weird because as a child I remember reading the Secret Garden and literally shuddering over the name, thinking how awful it was! But it has grown on me over the years and now I love it. I’m also fond of Maria. What do you think - are they lovely and timeless and sounding fresh again after being less popular for years? Or… not?

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DramaAlpaca · 21/10/2022 00:22

I really love Mary. Like you, it's grown on me over the years. It's classic, simple and pretty.

Maria is nice too, but I prefer Mary.

TheSausageKingofChicago · 21/10/2022 00:26

I’m a fan. Growing up it seemed a bit old lady to me but I think it’s retro cool now. I’m Catholic so I’ve known loads of Marys and Marias over the years:

See also Marie, Ann-Marie and Anna-Maria.

Mary is my favourite for a baby born now though.

Sofiatheworst · 21/10/2022 07:23

I love Mary, Maria not so much

KangarooKenny · 21/10/2022 07:24

I like Mary. I work in schools and classic names are coming around again.

balalake · 21/10/2022 07:24

I prefer Maria personally. Perhaps a judgment on the Maria's I've known and how lovely they are.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 21/10/2022 07:26

I like it and I know a few little Marys but they are of Ukrainian and Australian origin - I don't think it is really coming back among English people yet.

Radiatorvalves · 21/10/2022 07:28

It’s my middle name (50s) but I’m not a fan.

toastofthetown · 21/10/2022 07:30

I see the appeal of Mary, but to me it still sounds very drab. I much prefer Maria.

Crazykefir · 21/10/2022 07:30

I'd think the parents were Christians.

Solosunrise · 21/10/2022 07:32

I think it's pretty and I would love to see it come back.

DuchessOfSausage · 21/10/2022 07:34

I really like it. I have a friend called Mary and it's my cousin's middle name.
I think Mary and Maria are classic, but Marie seems1970s. May and Mia done to death.
Maria loses points because of there being so many -ee-ah being used currently (Sophia, Mia, Thea etc)

Snugglemonkey · 21/10/2022 07:35

I think it is so boring and overused. I am Irish and know so many. I have a derivative of it as my second name, as does about 90% of friends etc. I would never consider it for that reason.

What others think doesn't matter though. You do not have total Mary fatigue and like it. So why not go for it?

OhIdoLike2bBesideTheSeaside · 21/10/2022 07:35

My daughter is 7 there's a Mary in her class and it really suits her
There's also a Maria and that family are Spanish

TeenDivided · 21/10/2022 07:37

Snugglemonkey · 21/10/2022 07:35

I think it is so boring and overused. I am Irish and know so many. I have a derivative of it as my second name, as does about 90% of friends etc. I would never consider it for that reason.

What others think doesn't matter though. You do not have total Mary fatigue and like it. So why not go for it?

I don't think it is overused in England at least.

I really like it. Timeless.

Lyndsb · 21/10/2022 07:38

I prefer Maria. I know a beautiful young woman (23) called Mary. At the time I thought the name was dated as most girls were called Sophie, Chloe, Leah etc but I really like it now.

HaveringWavering · 21/10/2022 07:42

Love it.

Lady Mary in Downton Abbey, a bit annoying but undeniably elegant.

2020firsttimemum · 21/10/2022 07:44

It's my middle name too (late 20's) and I hate it. Don't know why, just really hate it 😂

Don't mind it so much as a first name though... weird

DisforDarkChocolate · 21/10/2022 07:46

I love Mary, I'd have used it but I already have a Joseph.

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 21/10/2022 07:49

DisforDarkChocolate · 21/10/2022 07:46

I love Mary, I'd have used it but I already have a Joseph.

Grin

Timeless name, not dated. No name with as long as history as Mary can be considered dated just because one generation stops using it as much. It's the Evie, Millie, Mia, Esme, Chloe type names that will seem dated in the 2040s.

SausageMonkey2 · 21/10/2022 07:51

My eldest has it as a middle name. It was my granny’s name.

PAFMO · 21/10/2022 07:51

Classic, and probably due a comeback.

ZenNudist · 21/10/2022 07:51

Love it. Great name. will never date.

NCforthisoneo · 21/10/2022 07:52

Beautiful and (in England at least) very unusual.

Ballsaque · 21/10/2022 07:54

A gorgeous name!

Jellycatrabbit · 21/10/2022 07:59

I think it's a lovely name and well due a comeback in England, although personally I prefer Miriam, Marya or Maria.