October 13, 2010

How many Marys or Mary Anns in the world?

I wonder what the percentage of people around the world have been given the name Mary, Maria, Mary Ann or Marian or any other derivative of the Hebrew name, Miryam?

Today we took my friend, Maria, to Philippe's for lunch and then to the beautiful Union Station so she could take the train back to her new home near Santa Maria. After returning home, my friend, Mary Ann called on the phone.

I often marvel at the number of people we know who have one of these names. My mother's name was Marian. Pete's sister is another Mary Ann. Her daughter, our grand-niece, is Mary Jane, and our dear neice, Mary, still seems to be a reader of this often neglected blog. Besides these people, we are also lucky enough to have another friend named 'Mary' who happens to live directly across the street.

Besides the women I have just mentioned, our lives are peopled by dozens of others who go by the name Mary or have been given another derivative of this popular name.

It is understandable why this is a common name among Christians, since Mary was the mother of Jesus. But, people with this name come from many backgrounds, religions and ethnicities. And though it is generally understood that the root name is Hebrew in origin, it is believed that the actual root is of much more ancient origin.

How many do you know?

Posted by Judi at October 13, 2010 10:42 PM | TrackBack
Comments

And you have another neice named Mary and I am she!
I read your blog frequently as it does my heart as much good as a bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup!
Here is my chance to let you know that I truly wish to extend the very best wishes to you throughout this amazing 70th year!
You are never far from my heart and my thoughts.

Posted by: Mary at October 16, 2010 12:26 PM

Oops. How could I've neglected to mention you, sweet Mary? I'll fix it right away! Thanks for continuing to read this often neglected blog. It's been a long time since I've thought to check for comments. I guess one more thing to add to my long list of Things To Do.

Posted by: Judi at October 17, 2010 12:31 AM
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