A Jew named Mary?

[Anonymous]

I am from Eastern Europe, and there are plenty of Jewish Marias. I am Jewish and my name is a variation of Maria (my parents wanted something a bit less common). If you like Mary/ Marie, I’d say go for it. It’s not like you are considering naming your daughter Christina.

[Anonymous]

Fellow Jew here. I wouldn't do it, especially since your other three girls have very Jewish names. It would just be weird. (Full disclosure: I'm not a fan of Mary or Miriam for that matter but still . . .)

[Anonymous]

No, you made the right choice the last 3 times. Stick to it. There will be people (both other Jews and non-Jews) that will try to discredit her Jewishness based solely on her first name. Names matter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am from Eastern Europe, and there are plenty of Jewish Marias. I am Jewish and my name is a variation of Maria (my parents wanted something a bit less common). If you like Mary/ Marie, I’d say go for it. It’s not like you are considering naming your daughter Christina.

OP presumably doesn’t live in Eastern Europe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, you made the right choice the last 3 times. Stick to it. There will be people (both other Jews and non-Jews) that will try to discredit her Jewishness based solely on her first name. Names matter.

You're damn right. I've had people tell me that I'm not white based on my first name. Strangers are arrogant and act like they know your background better than you do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a gentile, I'd see the last name and think Jewish but then I'd think, no, the first name Mary means not Jewish and was chosen to make that clear (I mean, if you have one of those German names that go either way).

Our last name is Shapiro.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, you made the right choice the last 3 times. Stick to it. There will be people (both other Jews and non-Jews) that will try to discredit her Jewishness based solely on her first name. Names matter.

LOL "discredit her Jewishness"

No "Jew" names a kid Mary.

She's not a Jew he or she is a troll.

[Anonymous]

I had Jewish relatives named Mary but it’s less common now. Clearly there’s a lot of people making assumptions based on the name. My Jewish family is all named with typical British royal family names which doesn’t seem that Jewish either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a Jew with a very non-Jewish name - don’t do it. My whole life, everyone has assumed I’m not Jewish or a convert. Which isn’t the end of the world but it gets tedious. When I got married the rabbi grilled me about whether I was sure I wasn’t a convert, because of my name.

If you must call her Mary, then name her Miriam and use Mary as a nickname.

Also your other kids have very religious sounding Jewish names and if you add Mary, people will think she’s adopted and not converted. With Miriam, even nicknamed Mary, they won’t think that.

I agree.

Is Marilyn an option? Maryam?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids have names from each of their 3 cultures (two Asian, one white European). Their whole name reflects who they are.

If the Jewish religion, Jesus was a prophet, right? So his mother's name can be used just like any other.

No, in the Jewish religion Jesus was not a prophet. I think you are thinking of Islam.

And yes, that’s one of the very few no-go names for a Jewish kid, along with Christian and Mohammed.

This was probably 30 years ago, but I have met a Jewish boy named Christian. For lack of another word, I was very confused. Both parents were Jews.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had Jewish relatives named Mary but it’s less common now. Clearly there’s a lot of people making assumptions based on the name. My Jewish family is all named with typical British royal family names which doesn’t seem that Jewish either.

Diana?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had Jewish relatives named Mary but it’s less common now. Clearly there’s a lot of people making assumptions based on the name. My Jewish family is all named with typical British royal family names which doesn’t seem that Jewish either.

ditto; i know another family with a similar story.

[Anonymous]

We are a Jewish family and our kids have non Jewish names for their first names. Including one that would seem like a "no go." It's totally fine, they have Hebrew names, and it's literally a non-issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, you made the right choice the last 3 times. Stick to it. There will be people (both other Jews and non-Jews) that will try to discredit her Jewishness based solely on her first name. Names matter.

You're damn right. I've had people tell me that I'm not white based on my first name. Strangers are arrogant and act like they know your background better than you do.

Sorry that happens to you, Tanisha.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a Jew with a very non-Jewish name - don’t do it. My whole life, everyone has assumed I’m not Jewish or a convert. Which isn’t the end of the world but it gets tedious. When I got married the rabbi grilled me about whether I was sure I wasn’t a convert, because of my name.

If you must call her Mary, then name her Miriam and use Mary as a nickname.

Also your other kids have very religious sounding Jewish names and if you add Mary, people will think she’s adopted and not converted. With Miriam, even nicknamed Mary, they won’t think that.

I agree. Is Marilyn an option? Maryam?

Marilyn is an ugly old lady name that should be retired. Please don't encourage bad names to be put out in the world. We're waiting for all the bad names to die off.