Can I name my Jewish daughter Mary?

[Anonymous]

I am Jewish, and nowadays there are very few names you don't see around a Jewish preschool, however, Mary is one of them (but not Maria, ironically). If you will be calling your DD Mair, why not just name her that? I like that a lot- it's unique but not out there

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, you can obviously do what you want.

Non-Jews won't even notice, but a lot of Jews will think it's weird (like this one writing this post). Other Jews won't notice, either.

I think some of us Jews find using generally religious Christian names to feel a little too much like what happens in times and places when Jews are trying a little too hard to pass as Christian, or when it has been dangerous to be easily identified as Jewish. Obviously, that's not the case now, but that, and a history of Jewish persecution by Christians is why people don't see them as "just" a name. Not to mention that plenty of Christians choose "Mary" because it's religious, not just cultural.

Obviously, those situations are not the case right now, but that's behind the weirdness.

+1

[Anonymous]

Nice Jewish girl here. I think it's pretty weird, but it's not unforgivable or anything like that if you really love it.

[Anonymous]

So I posted the link to a discussion thread, and one of the people on it just started googling "Mary + common Jewish last name" and got hits on almost all of them. Some contemporary, some historical. Some may have married Jewish men, but the sheer number of hits suggests that it's not all that uncommon.

If you and your husband love the name, I say go for it.

[Anonymous]

Jew here and I say no. I knew a Jewish Christina who always felt awkward about it. Changed her name to something traditionally Jewish when she was grown.

Name her Miriam or find something else. Mary's a pretty name, but it's 10000% for the shiksas.

[Anonymous]

I would assume someone named Mary is Catholic or Christian. I wouldn't assume that of someone named a variation of Mary such as Marian or Maren. I would go with one of those names or some other variation and use the nickname Mair.

[Anonymous]

I think it's fine, just don't pair it with a second name that is always used with the first name, like "Mary Louise" or "Mary Kate"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So I posted the link to a discussion thread, and one of the people on it just started googling "Mary + common Jewish last name" and got hits on almost all of them. Some contemporary, some historical. Some may have married Jewish men, but the sheer number of hits suggests that it's not all that uncommon.

If you and your husband love the name, I say go for it.

Are you Jewish?

[Anonymous]

I think it's fine, but I'm not Jewish so take it for what it's worth. I'm a lapsed Catholic and my son's name is much more common for Jews than Gentiles since it's from the Old Testament.

[Anonymous]

I also have Mary's as elderly Jewish relatives. I think its ok, but probably wouldn't do it myself. I'd go with Mira, Mara, Moriah, Marina, May, Marit, Marin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Jew here and I say no. I knew a Jewish Christina who always felt awkward about it. Changed her name to something traditionally Jewish when she was grown.

Name her Miriam or find something else. Mary's a pretty name, but it's 10000% for the shiksas.

big diff between "Christina" and Mary in this context, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, you can obviously do what you want.

Non-Jews won't even notice, but a lot of Jews will think it's weird (like this one writing this post). Other Jews won't notice, either.

I think some of us Jews find using generally religious Christian names to feel a little too much like what happens in times and places when Jews are trying a little too hard to pass as Christian, or when it has been dangerous to be easily identified as Jewish. Obviously, that's not the case now, but that, and a history of Jewish persecution by Christians is why people don't see them as "just" a name. Not to mention that plenty of Christians choose "Mary" because it's religious, not just cultural.

Obviously, those situations are not the case right now, but that's behind the weirdness.

"... by Christians ...". This same "logic" leads some fundamentalist churches to blame "the Jews" for the crucifixion of Jesus. Just no.

[Anonymous]

I have an aunt Mary, who is in her 90s and VERY jewish. Her parents came from Germany where apparently Jewish girls were named Mary. How about Marie or Meri?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, you can obviously do what you want.

Non-Jews won't even notice, but a lot of Jews will think it's weird (like this one writing this post). Other Jews won't notice, either.

I think some of us Jews find using generally religious Christian names to feel a little too much like what happens in times and places when Jews are trying a little too hard to pass as Christian, or when it has been dangerous to be easily identified as Jewish. Obviously, that's not the case now, but that, and a history of Jewish persecution by Christians is why people don't see them as "just" a name. Not to mention that plenty of Christians choose "Mary" because it's religious, not just cultural.

Obviously, those situations are not the case right now, but that's behind the weirdness.

"... by Christians ...". This same "logic" leads some fundamentalist churches to blame "the Jews" for the crucifixion of Jesus. Just no.

Um ... the Inquisition? Pogroms? Holocaust? Christians have a documented history of persecuting Jews.

[Anonymous]

Marion is a great compromise, imo. But if you love Mary, go with Mary. Then you can also explain that you're unaffiliated because all the Jews ypu meet are rude and judgmental, while the Christians welcome you and your children with open arms. Because you will get side-eye in contemporary Jewish circles.