Interesting that you had such strong feelings about your, our name Mary Ann. When I was born, my Birth Mother called me Heather Lee Mary. If you were Catholic in the 50's Mary or Joseph had to be in there somewhere!
My Adoptive parents re-named me, Mary Ann, as they said Heather was a plant, and they did not want me named after a plant!
I like my name. There are very few Mary Ann's that I know. When I hear the Supervisor at a local store called over the PA, "Mary Ann, please come to the Cash!" I want to start running!! Did I win something? Is someone lost?
Combine my name with my surname, Mary Ann Allin, and I get all mixes of names; Mary Ellen, Marilyn, Mary, Madeline, or how do you spell your name? Is Mary your first name? Nope, I use both. And yes, my Mom sang that tropics song to me when I was little.
When I turned 50, my daughters recorded an entire CD with songs about Mary Ann. I was truly honoured to be the bearer of my name, Mary Ann.
I love hearing your story, Mary Ann Allin! It’s fascinating how names carry so much history, intention, and personal meaning. I understand that deep connection—we don’t just wear a name; we live in it. Even though I’ve had complicated feelings about ‘Mary Ann,’ like you, I’ve come to recognize the weight and the stories it holds.
I love the way you describe hearing ‘Mary Ann’ over the PA at a store—half expecting a prize, half wondering if you’re being summoned for something important. Names have a way of making us feel claimed, don’t they?
I chafed against my name when I was young partly because it was popular in the 60s. There were four of us in one class in primary school. Later I chafed against it because a journalist used it to describe a certain type of woman: one with little education and ambition.
Now I find myself meeting younger Sharons around the globe who are passionate and intelligent and ambitious. Recently a family locally named their daughter Sharon in tribute to me (something that is rather overwhelming). I am at peace with my name at last. I am who I am despite my name and yet maybe because of my name. I am Sharon.
I love everything you wrote about your “names,” and it all resonated deeply within me😎♥️. I am a Janet from rural small town USA. Even though Janet translates to gift from God, I have always felt it’s invisible restraints of classic 1950’s, when every young girl was supposed to be a good girl😍. That’s why I chose Cate for my social media name. She is my alter ego, a woman who has pushed through the boundaries and restraints of a sweet girl from KS named Janet💖
Interesting that you had such strong feelings about your, our name Mary Ann. When I was born, my Birth Mother called me Heather Lee Mary. If you were Catholic in the 50's Mary or Joseph had to be in there somewhere!
My Adoptive parents re-named me, Mary Ann, as they said Heather was a plant, and they did not want me named after a plant!
I like my name. There are very few Mary Ann's that I know. When I hear the Supervisor at a local store called over the PA, "Mary Ann, please come to the Cash!" I want to start running!! Did I win something? Is someone lost?
Combine my name with my surname, Mary Ann Allin, and I get all mixes of names; Mary Ellen, Marilyn, Mary, Madeline, or how do you spell your name? Is Mary your first name? Nope, I use both. And yes, my Mom sang that tropics song to me when I was little.
When I turned 50, my daughters recorded an entire CD with songs about Mary Ann. I was truly honoured to be the bearer of my name, Mary Ann.
I love hearing your story, Mary Ann Allin! It’s fascinating how names carry so much history, intention, and personal meaning. I understand that deep connection—we don’t just wear a name; we live in it. Even though I’ve had complicated feelings about ‘Mary Ann,’ like you, I’ve come to recognize the weight and the stories it holds.
I love the way you describe hearing ‘Mary Ann’ over the PA at a store—half expecting a prize, half wondering if you’re being summoned for something important. Names have a way of making us feel claimed, don’t they?
Thank you for sharing your story with me.
Love your evolution, Mary Ann.
I love this exploration of names and who you are.
I chafed against my name when I was young partly because it was popular in the 60s. There were four of us in one class in primary school. Later I chafed against it because a journalist used it to describe a certain type of woman: one with little education and ambition.
Now I find myself meeting younger Sharons around the globe who are passionate and intelligent and ambitious. Recently a family locally named their daughter Sharon in tribute to me (something that is rather overwhelming). I am at peace with my name at last. I am who I am despite my name and yet maybe because of my name. I am Sharon.
This is the truth “ I am who I am despite my name and yet maybe because of my name.”
beautiful post. thank you - to all the "yous"
lol thank you, my friend :)
I love everything you wrote about your “names,” and it all resonated deeply within me😎♥️. I am a Janet from rural small town USA. Even though Janet translates to gift from God, I have always felt it’s invisible restraints of classic 1950’s, when every young girl was supposed to be a good girl😍. That’s why I chose Cate for my social media name. She is my alter ego, a woman who has pushed through the boundaries and restraints of a sweet girl from KS named Janet💖