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ArchivesRe: Maria as a male middle name
in reply to a message by Max
I'd be surprised to find it given to a non-Catholic boy. And using it as a mn makes a clear reference to the Virgin without giving the boy the life-long task of explaining that he really was a boy. I've seen several cases of French boys given a string of very Christian names, with hyphens: Jean-Paul-Marie for instance. No doubt this would be shortened for everyday use.
There was a case in 18th century England of a boy whose godmother was Queen Anne and who was given Anne as his first name. He was a member of the nobility and was, I think, Lord Anne Surname. But in those social circles, everyone would understand and respect his parents' choice - or his monarch's.
There was a case in 18th century England of a boy whose godmother was Queen Anne and who was given Anne as his first name. He was a member of the nobility and was, I think, Lord Anne Surname. But in those social circles, everyone would understand and respect his parents' choice - or his monarch's.
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Like Nicole and Philippe (and many other French names), Anne used to be unisex in French, which must have influenced its usage among British nobility.
Likewise, in Britain names like Francis/Frances, and formerly Julian, Christian, Bennett, and Philip were used as the vernacular feminine and masculine forms of the names (Julianus/Juliana, Christian/Christiana, Benedict/Benedicta and Philippos/Philippa).
Likewise, in Britain names like Francis/Frances, and formerly Julian, Christian, Bennett, and Philip were used as the vernacular feminine and masculine forms of the names (Julianus/Juliana, Christian/Christiana, Benedict/Benedicta and Philippos/Philippa).
This message was edited 1/4/2021, 4:32 AM
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