Can I name my Jewish daughter Mary?

[Anonymous]

I love the name Mary, my husband loves the name Mary, our two older kids (Henry and Norah) both like it, and the nickname Mair is precious. Not to mention the fact that I would get to buy MTM's metal M for her nursery (not a real reason but still!) The only challenge is that we're Jewish. Not super Jewish but more than just Jew-ish. We were both raised in conservative shuls and send our kids to Hebrew school now but are more of high holiday attendees. Aside from the fact that my mother would scoff, could we name our daughter Mary? Would it just be strange? I never thought I could do it but I've sort of reached a 'why not?!' moment. I know there are a million variations that could fit better under the circumstances but we like Mary. I also know that Mary is a pretty dull name to most people but with a spunky middle name, I think it falls under the cute old person name category.

[Anonymous]

Catholic here...our Mary was a Jew. I don't think it's weird at all.

[Anonymous]

My sister did this and she never lived it down in our parents' eyes. She named her daughter Christina, though we all call her Chrissa. Her son has a Jewish name so that makes it a little more strange. She picked the name just cause she liked it and it makes her precious daughter no less Jewish. My daughter was born a few months later and we named her Abigail so my poor sister got even more for it. It's not that big of a deal but factor in how much your parents' opinion and pestering affects you because Chrissa is eleven years old and it still gets brought up regularly.

[Anonymous]

I think it's fine and I love the name Mary too, especially paired with a spunky middle. I'm sure a lot of people in your family will find it strange but (hopefully) they'll get over it and it won't be a big deal.

[Anonymous]

IT's a Catholic name. I would think it weird and I'm not even Jewish.

[Anonymous]

My very Jewish MIL is named Marian. I think it’s fine. Christopher or Kristen would be weird, but any Old Testament name is fair game.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Catholic here...our Mary was a Jew. I don't think it's weird at all.

our? really?

[Anonymous]

Are there other Mary's at Hebrew school? No? Then probably not a good idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Catholic here...our Mary was a Jew. I don't think it's weird at all.

our? really?

NP... Well, to you, isn't she just some teen who got knocked up and raised a crazy dude who thought he was God? I think that is why PP was using "our," as Mary gets some reverence in the Christian community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love the name Mary, my husband loves the name Mary, our two older kids (Henry and Norah) both like it, and the nickname Mair is precious. Not to mention the fact that I would get to buy MTM's metal M for her nursery (not a real reason but still!) The only challenge is that we're Jewish. Not super Jewish but more than just Jew-ish. We were both raised in conservative shuls and send our kids to Hebrew school now but are more of high holiday attendees. Aside from the fact that my mother would scoff, could we name our daughter Mary? Would it just be strange? I never thought I could do it but I've sort of reached a 'why not?!' moment. I know there are a million variations that could fit better under the circumstances but we like Mary. I also know that Mary is a pretty dull name to most people but with a spunky middle name, I think it falls under the cute old person name category.

Look, OP, an article in the New York Times for you!

https://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/09/13/my-jewish-daughter-mary/

[Anonymous]

I think it’s fine

[Anonymous]

People will assume she is Catholic for her whole life. She will have to explain she is Jewish her whole life. Do you want to saddle her with this?

[Anonymous]

I can honestly say I don’t go around guessing people’s religion by their first name. That would be incredibly presumptuous given some people practice, some don’t, some are strong believers and some people aren’t. Mary is a lovely name so go for it if you like it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People will assume she is Catholic for her whole life. She will have to explain she is Jewish her whole life. Do you want to saddle her with this?

Do you assume that everyone named Mary is Catholic? I don't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People will assume she is Catholic for her whole life. She will have to explain she is Jewish her whole life. Do you want to saddle her with this?

Do you assume that everyone named Mary is Catholic? I don't.

Yes I do. Its not done in a negative way, but yes I assume it. Just like I assume anyone named Sean or Patrick is Catholic too.