Baby name

[HM]

We are expecting our first baby (due in February) and have decided on a shortlist of names. One of the girls names we like is Mia. The middle name would be Mary as it's a family name and one of the baby name books we have say that Mia is another form of Mary - however, the other books all say Mia is a form of Maria. What does everything think? Is Mia a form of Mary and would it be odd to call our baby Mia Mary if it's a girl? Or should we just do what we want and not worry about it? Any thoughts welcome.

[BigMac]

I'm not certain, but are not MARY and MARIA just variants themselves?

[cheekygang]

id say go ahead with the names mia is modern and like you said short and althow it might b another form of mary, in ur case its simply mia but then again my m8s name is maria and her family call her mia as this is in the name MarIA and mia shortens it.

keep mary as its a family name, names r hard choosing but id say not to worry and go with your choice it sounds fine to me.

[cheekygang]

and congrats at this special and exciting time of your life all my love xxx

[metagirl]

my little niece is called Mia - cute and modern (made most recently famous by the Fast & Furious movie!).

Maria and Mary are the same - but can say coming from a spanish background that I've never heard "mia" as short for either. "Mia" in spanish is used to designate ownership (fem) as in "En tu casa o en la mia?" (At your house or mine?)

[metagirl]

oh yes, and congratulations!

[jake-the-peg]

You also get the "what if they mary someone with the surname" thing with girls names.

If she married somebody with the surname May and wanted to take his surname then Mia Mary May definately would sound odd.

My daughters called Holly and any boys with the surname Wood will be driven off the doorstep with a broom! :c)

I wouldn't worry too much, the chances are nobody'll use the middle name anyway - In fact I can't think of anybody outside of my immediate family who's middle name I do know!

[frangale]

my daughters best friend is called Holly Wood!!

[sandrajo]

My middle name is Mary and i've never known it to be linked to mia, i think mia to maria sounds more likely.

[twopennorth]

I've done a quick net search and it appears that the name Mia is Italian for "mine" - which is quite nice, I think. Nothing to do with the name Mary.

My mother has a friend named "Marjorie Margaret" who expressed disappointment that her mother had picked two names that had the same origin, Marjorie orginally being a pet form of Margaret. Mainly her disappointment arose from her mother being quite dismissive about it and saying "well I suppose we had to name you something." I'm sure if she had been told she had been named after a family member she would have had cause to feel a little more special.

[sudu]

sorry to go slightly off the question but i think there's a woman who is involved in gardening/horticulture called rosemary tree. what a name!

[curiosity]

I wanted my son to be called Max, and I knew if I called him Maximillian or Maxwell that at certain times of his life, i.e school registers (when supply teachers are in) or when he got married that his official name would be used, so I called him Max. Well, Max Lawrence actually (bit of pompousness for his wedding day). My sister is called Jaqueline Margaret Monica (jackie to her friends!! LOL) and avoided all her life people knowing, until the most special day of her life, it was read out, especialially since the surname began with M also. Oh and consider initials! There's a few corkers in our family. Congrats and enjoy

[lady_p_gold]

I know a little girl called 'Mir' which is is 'peace' in Russian I think. It sounds the same as 'Mia' ... and does not mean Mary!

[funnywebsite]

I say call her what you want, it's your baby and Mia sounds alright. Mary I am afraid to say is old fashioned and boring. Sorry to say that to anybody who is called Mary but it is true. It might come back into fashion one day who knows but it is boring if you ask me. Mia Mary...... doesn't really go. But it's your kid and you are naming her. Good luck no matter what the name and I hope you will all be very happy.

[shaneystar]

Mia is a lovely name and is the
Scandanavian diminutive of Maria.
I had an Aunt Mia ...she is dead now but would have been 85 this year and she was German !
No matter what you choose good luck with your new baby.

[HM]

Many thanks to all of you for your responses and good wishes.