Naming for Mary

For those who like a little variation on the name of Mary, in honor of the Blessed Mother, here are a few suggestions. The Scandinavians use often Mia or Mari, while the Finns use Maikki, and Majken is popular among the Swedes. The Jewish tradition has Miriam or Mara, while the Spanish favor Marisol or even Maria de Soledad. Molly and Moira are both used in Ireland and Scotland. And so is Mauren in Wales, Scotland, the Isle of man, Cornwall and Brittany. The French opt for Marie and Maire, Manon and Marion. Mariella is popular among the Italians, as is Marika in Holland and Mariska in Hungary, Mriya in Russia and Bulgaria. Marysia is popular among the Poles, as are Marynia and Maryla. And finally Maricel is common among the Filipinos. And just about every one of them is becoming popular even in Malta, although Maria and Mary are the two most common in Malta, where more than half of the parishes are dedicated to the Blessed Mother.