Variants of Mary?

[genevie]

So, just as one of my cousins is about to give birth to a baby, her sister has found out that she's pregnant too! Though excited, she's a little worried because her partner has insisted, from the moment they met, that he wants his daughter to be named Mary! It's after his grandmother, and as adorable as the name is, it's really not my cousin's style.

She's only about 4 weeks pregnant, so no word on the gender for a while, but do any of you happen to have any suggestions on variations of the name Mary that would fit in with her style? Her daughter's name is єℓℓι мαу gαвяιєℓℓє, goes by єℓℓι or єℓℓι мαу. My cousin doesn't like Mary because we know a very loud, cackle-y old woman named Mary! She doesn't want a name that sounds elderly, and I also think she is into the more popular/common names (as єℓℓι мαу shows). We live in England, if that helps.

I've also advised that she asks if his grandmother had any middle names that were more up her street, so we'll see how that goes.


Thanks in advance!
~ Genevieve

names in 'special characters' to prevent the names coming up in a Google search, please use these if you are going to refer to the name in your answer!

[lc22033]

I recently saw this list here and I figured it might be helpful: http://nameberry.com/list/63/Marys-I...nal-Variations

[marybeth]

It's too bad she doesn't like the name Mary - I really love that name. But I just wanted to point out that there's a long tradition of girls being given the first name Mary (in honour of the Virgin Mary), but being called by their middle name. So she might call her Mary Josephine, for example, but use the name Josie or Josephine for every day use. Just a thought. Otherwise, perhaps one of the variants of Mary, as suggested above, would work.

[genevie]

marybeth: I suggested calling her by a middle name, my cousin seems to think that's just hassle though.

lc22033: Thanks for that link From what I've said, any ideas on which sound most like her style? I'm finding it hard to be objective, the ones that stand out to me are the ones that I like ha!

[essjay]

My favourite Mary variant is Maria, and I understand Mia was originally a nickname for Maria. Mia seems as though it would fit your cousin's style: popular, feminine but not over frilly and doesn't sound elderly at all, plus it honours Mary, which is what her partner wants to do. I think £lli£ M@y and Mia would make a lovely set of sisters.

[dandelion_wine]

Has your cousin considered Molly? Historically it is a nickname for Mary and has a current sound. Molly and £lli£ M@y go well together, IMO, especially if she gives Molly a middle name that can be used also. Like Molly Rose Francesca - £lli£ M@y and Molly Rose.

Other ideas:

Marin - this doesn't go as well with £lli£ M@y IMO, but is a pretty variation on Mary
Mara - again could pair with a middle name. Mara Lou or Mara Leigh for example
Marley - somewhat reminiscent of Bob, but £lli£ M@y and Marley sound cute together
Margot
Mariel/Mariella - may be too similar sounding to £lli£ M@y

[genevie]

essjay: I really like Maria, I definitely think my cousin might be interested as it has an Italian feel, and our grandfather is Italian. Thanks!

dandelion: Molly's the main one I've thought of, because she considered Molly Blue alongside єℓℓι мαу. I'm personally not keen on it, as I know rather slutty twins named Ellie and Mollie, but it's not my baby! So I'm definitely going to suggest Molly I think she would like Marley, but her sister's baby is going to be called Harley so that's a bit too much! I love Marin, Mara and Margot myself, not sure what she'd think of them. Thanks

[augusta_lee]

A big list of Mary variations:

Miriam
Mariyama
Maryse
Stella Maris
Marietta
Marilyn
Marion (my personal favorite)
Mercedes
Dolores
Maira
Mari
Maribel
Marigold
Marisa/Marissa
Maria
Maire
Malia
Mame
Mamie
Manette
Manon
Mara
Maree
Marella
Marelle
Maren
Maridel
Mariel
Mariela
Marietta
Marilla
Mariska
Marita
Maritza
Marja
Marla
Marlo
Masha
Maura
Maureen
Maurita
Maurizia
Mavra
May
Meriel
Mimi
Minette
Moira
Molly
Morag
Moya
Muire
Muriel
Polly
Fatima
Khadija
Luz
Marisela
Maristela
Marjo
Marlin
Marlisa
Maya
Meiriona
Merry
Rosemary

[augusta_lee]

See here for more:

http://www.thinkbabynames.com/search/0/mary

[genevie]

Thanks all, I'm thinking I should suggest:
Maria
Molly
Maribel / Maribelle
Marissa

Do these sound similar to the style of єℓℓι мαу, in your opinion?