Is Mary too old?

[appleraspberry]

Mary is our top choice at the minute, most likely with the middle Josephine, Elizabeth or Christina. We live in Ireland where near enough every older woman we know is some form of Mary, and we’ve only ever heard of one younger Mary who is 19. I don’t think Mary will make much of a comeback in the future, my concern would be Mary potentially becoming the next Agnes or Mildred. All opinions would be lovely

There is a 7 year old granddaughter of one of my neighbours. She is a lovely girl who is in love with my cat.

I love it! Pls have a Mary

That’s exactly what I did! Perhaps our mothers in the same group.

Thank you, its pretty interesting.

Mary is gorgeous! If it wasn't for some family having the same, I would use it. Maybe not with Josephine cos of Mary and Joseph, unless that's what you like :)

It’s had a little bit of a revival in the Uk, but I don’t think it will be major because of the god factor

I really wouldn’t use it in Ireland though - it’s like Doreen but with added oppression

I’d go for a variation like Marianne

I love Mary, always have. I do think it will make a comeback eventually - you might as well be ahead of the curve.

Not entirely sure what the Agnes/Mildred comment is about - Agnes is nearly as popular as Mary rn! And on an upward curve rather than down. I love it. Agree Mildred is a slightly different case. 😅

I love it.

I never comment on names, but Mary is beautiful. Calm, mature, cute, just gorgeous 😍

I love it and there is one girl in our village primary who is called Mary. Every time I see her I smile. Just love the name

I like Mary! I admit that I was a bit surprised to come across a young one, when we were both 16, but it has since grown on me. In addition to the Virgin Mary, I've come across other rather impressive ones in books, films and documentaries. Thus, Mary is an excellent choice, OP!

I'm in Ireland and Mary is quite popular for young children from the travelling community(where I am anyway) so I wouldn't say it was rare in younger girls? In my dds class at primary school there was a Mary and my neighbours have 3 grandchildren called Mary. Each of their kids seem to have called their eldest daughter Mary, I don't know if this is a traveller thing or they are all just really unimaginative.

It's quite sweet. Mary Elspeth?

Marianne or Mariette could be alternatives.

I’d give Mary a swerve tbh

its just too old, and in Ireland, do you really want to add to the numbers of Wee Marys

I think most people have Mary as a middle name - why not something Irish for a first name?

I think it's too old. But the middle names are great!

There aren’t that many little Marys in Ireland. It was ranked I05th in the girls’ name charts last year, 130th the year before.

I’m in Ireland and I associate the name Mary with old ladies, women from rural areas and children from the travelling community.

Mary is a great name for a young Irish girl. It's strong, usually has a positive association for most people and it's not popular now. I know a teenage and younger child Mary and heard of a baby Mary recently.
I don't know any young Mary's in the Travelling Community here, more popular names are common.
I more associate it with Lady Mary in Downton.

It's Scots Gaelic, not Irish, and Mhairi is the vocative case of Mairi (the nominative case).

@appleraspberry

Mary is a classic. You can't go wrong with it.
I don't think it's every going to end up.like Mildred or Agnes, both very clunky and imo ugly names. Mary has a soft and harmonious sound.

I like all your middle name choices. I think Mary Josephine is my favourite, with Mary Christina a close second.

Suggestions:
Mary Alice
Mary Louise
Mary Isobel
Mary Evelyn

Agree.

A schoolfriend of mine (in Ireland - we're both 60) has a granddaughter who is probably 3 or 4 now, named Mary Caroline.

Your middle name suggestion of Josephine is one of the loveliest girls' names in my opinion, so I would say choose that. Mary I always find a bit bleak!

Lovely name. I've got a Maria Elizabeth (known as Lizzie).

Mary is an elegant and timeless name.

And I love all your second name choices.
My fave is Mary Josephine.

I also love:
Mary Louisa
Mary Eloise
Mary Catherine
Mary Genevieve