What are your thoughts on [name_u]Marian[/name_u]?
[name_u]Marian[/name_u] vs [name_u]Marion[/name_u]?
[name_f]Do[/name_f] [name_f]Jane[/name_f] and [name_u]Marian[/name_u] sound like sisters?
I like the Maid [name_u]Marian[/name_u] vibe, but what sort of feel do you get from [name_u]Marian[/name_u]?
Thanks for your help!
For me, [name_u]Marian[/name_u]/[name_u]Marion[/name_u] are very dated, but not in the same vintage feeling sense as [name_f]Jane[/name_f], [name_f]Miriam[/name_f], [name_f]Phoebe[/name_f], [name_f]Florence[/name_f], [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f], etc. etc.
[name_u]Marian[/name_u] feels very 1930s to me, not quite old enough for a revival, but old enough that it feels too much for someone born in 2019 to wear (a la [name_f]Shirley[/name_f] or [name_f]Barbara[/name_f]).
[name_u]Marion[/name_u] actually reminds me most of [name_m]John[/name_m] [name_m]Wayne[/name_m] (probably an isolated thing though, as my dad’s a big fan of his), as this was his birth name, I believe.
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] feels very classic to me, and [name_u]Marian[/name_u] could have worked as a sister quite a few years ago, but right now, I don’t think they work. [name_f]Jane[/name_f] feels very sweet and dainty, while [name_u]Marian[/name_u] feels quite stodgy and heavy, imo.
I love [name_u]Marian[/name_u]/[name_u]Marion[/name_u]! It’s a great vintage/traditional name that has unfortunately been forgotten about. The Maid [name_u]Marian[/name_u] vibe is mainly the reason I also love it.
I would probably spell it as [name_u]Marion[/name_u], however, on nameberry it is suggested that [name_u]Marian[/name_u] is the “more feminine” alternative of spelling. So it would be whatever your preference is.
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] and [name_u]Marian[/name_u]/[name_u]Marion[/name_u] are perfect names as sisters, [name_f]IMO[/name_f].
I love the [name_u]Marion[/name_u] spelling and also think of Maid [name_u]Marian[/name_u]. I think it’s an elegant classic that would be great for a sister for [name_f]Jane[/name_f]. I also get the 1930s feel, like an Old Hollywood starlet. (And I just remembered Marion Cotillard! <3)
@river_dweller and @cactusgram - that’s exactly the image I’m going for! Thanks for your insights.
@leafsgirl44 - I really appreciate your opinion. It’s so important to me that my kids love their names, I wouldn’t want to bestow anything too clunky.
I have a lot to think about! And, still welcoming opinions.
To me, [name_f]Jane[/name_f] and [name_u]Marian[/name_u] sound exactly like sisters. Both names are substantial, vintage, and rich with meaning. I love the name [name_u]Marian[/name_u], and I much prefer the spelling with two 'a’s. [name_u]Marian[/name_u] evokes the image of someone who is beautiful, adventurous, and bold, but also gentle and kind of heart.
I prefer the [name_u]Marian[/name_u] spelling. It’s a pretty good candidate for revival with elements of [name_f]Ariana[/name_f] and [name_u]Madison[/name_u], so despite that it is more 1920s-40s, I think it has an edge over names from that era. I think it’s fine with [name_f]Jane[/name_f].
In general, I’m not the biggest fan. It’s a dated name that I would group with [name_m]Eugene[/name_m] and [name_f]Mildred[/name_f] rather than [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] and [name_f]Dorothy[/name_f].
Nevertheless, I could see it being cute… I just haven’t yet. [name_u]Marian[/name_u]/[name_u]Marion[/name_u] could easily be a cute, pudgy toddler with curly hair and a lacy frock even if it’s not my immediate association at the moment. It’s especially cute with [name_f]Jane[/name_f].
[name_u]Marion[/name_u] [name_f]Elisabeth[/name_f] [name_f]Luella[/name_f]
[name_u]Marian[/name_u] [name_f]Isabella[/name_f] [name_f]Grace[/name_f]
[name_u]Marion[/name_u] [name_f]Lydia[/name_f] [name_f]Therese[/name_f]
[name_u]Marian[/name_u] [name_f]Louisa[/name_f] [name_f]Sophie[/name_f]
[name_f]Jane[/name_f] has been on the rise for awhile where as [name_u]Marian[/name_u] is less commonly used. I feel the vintage names coming back have a 1920s vibe where as [name_u]Marian[/name_u] feels more 1930s. Perfectly usable just means you are ahead of the curve. I think 10-15 years from now you will see a lot of those 1930s names used more often. I think it works very well with [name_f]Jane[/name_f].
As far as spelling I much prefer [name_u]Marian[/name_u]. That’s how I naturally spell it. [name_u]Marion[/name_u] looks more masculine to me and reminds me of the Marriott hotels, but both spellings have history to them- it’s honestly the one that you feel most connected to.
I like both [name_u]Marion[/name_u] and [name_u]Marian[/name_u] equally, she’s the best in Raiders of the Lost [name_m]Arc[/name_m]. She’s the best in [name_u]Robin[/name_u] Hood.
Love this name, especially the spelling Marion … The O gives it a bit more spunk imo, and it reminds me of Marion Cotillard. Very elegant/Old Hollywood. I think Jane and Marion/Marian go very well together, too. Definitely time to bring her back!
I love [name_u]Marian[/name_u]/ [name_u]Marion[/name_u] and [name_f]Jane[/name_f] together!
So glad you’re considering it.
Like @dechen I think if [name_u]Marion[/name_u] Cotillard which is 100% why I prefer it - I have a massive girl crush on her.
I’m so pleased with the ultimately positive feedback!! I thought I had my choices narrowed down, but then [name_u]Marian[/name_u] snuck back into the running, and now I can’t get it out of my head!!
I like [name_u]Marion[/name_u]/[name_u]Marian[/name_u], and like others, find the [name_u]Marion[/name_u] spelling quite cool, modern and the most appealing. A good name for [name_f]Jane[/name_f]'s sister.
I love [name_u]Marian[/name_u] (especially this spelling, though [name_u]Marion[/name_u] is very chic too), and I would be so delighted to hear of sisters named [name_u]Marian[/name_u] and [name_f]Jane[/name_f]. Both names are strong and feminine without being fussy or overly common — what more could you want? 
I love [name_u]Marian[/name_u]/[name_u]Marion[/name_u], though I slightly prefer the [name_u]Marian[/name_u] spelling. I think its beautiful, classic, traditional, and sweet. Personally, it does not sound dated to me, and even if it did, doesn’t mean a child can’t pull it off. I know a lot of Marianas so maybe that is why I find it approachable and lovely. [name_f]Jane[/name_f] and [name_u]Marian[/name_u] is an amazing sibset!
I [name_u]LOVE[/name_u] the name. I immediately think of [name_u]Marian[/name_u] the librarian from The [name_f]Music[/name_f] [name_m]Man[/name_m]. I like the connection and the character, but I would guess she would get that song sung to her on occasion.
Thank you all so much for your input. We really appreciate your thoughts about [name_u]Marian[/name_u].
My husband prefers the [name_u]Marian[/name_u] spelling, and as I don’t mind either way, if we [name_f]DO[/name_f] choose this name, that is the spelling we’d use.
[name_u]Marian[/name_u] is a cool name…I much prefer the “a” spelling as the “o” spelling is linked w/[name_m]John[/name_m] [name_m]Wayne[/name_m] (born [name_u]Marion[/name_u] [name_m]Morrison[/name_m]) in my mind. And I also get the Maid [name_u]Marian[/name_u] from [name_u]Robin[/name_u] Hood vibe. I don’t know if you like foxes, but Disney’s cartoon [name_u]Robin[/name_u] Hood has Maid [name_u]Marian[/name_u] portrayed by a fox. 
I prefer [name_u]Marion[/name_u].