Marsali--thoughts?

So, DH and I have taken quite a liking to this name. And before anyone asks, I am a huge fan of Outlander and yes, that’s where I first saw the name, but no, that’s not why I would choose it. haha We aren’t into naming kids after books/movies/shows we like. [name_m]Just[/name_m] so happens I enjoy a number of names used in that series. Anyway…

I just can’t decide if it’s a bit too unusual? We are in the US, for reference. We have considered both [name_f]Marsali[/name_f] [name_f]Grace[/name_f] and [name_f]Marsali[/name_f] [name_f]Greer[/name_f] (very Scottish, I know, but DH loved it). Last name is two syllables, sounds similar to Money, so there would be repetitive sounds, which is normally not an issue for me. And sibling would be [name_u]Adley[/name_u] [name_f]Rose[/name_f], in case that matters to anyone.

Would appreciate any feedback. I would prefer people not be brutal, but I do welcome honesty.

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I prefer [name_f]Marsali[/name_f] [name_f]Grace[/name_f]. Marsali is very cute name. Adley Rose and Marsali Grace is lovely combination.

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YES! :heart_eyes:

I love this name too, although I must confess that I’m especially partial to the [name_f]Marsaili[/name_f] spelling. But [name_f]Marsali[/name_f] is probably less problematic, considering it’s a generally unfamiliar name.

I really love [name_f]Marsali[/name_f] [name_f]Greer[/name_f], but looking at big sister’s name I think the equally lovely [name_f]Marsali[/name_f] [name_f]Grace[/name_f] fits best. It’s also always nice to have a more “grounding” middle for an unusual first name.

But I really don’t think [name_f]Marsali[/name_f] is too unusual — it’s obscure, rather than obtuse.

In case you’re interested, I wrote a blog post on it a couple of years ago, which you can find here :point_down:

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@katinka thanks for the feedback! I’ll definitely check out your blog post. And I agree that a more “grounding” middle name is probably better for a relatively uncommon first name and I give that suggestion frequently myself. [name_f]Grace[/name_f] was my first choice, but DH and I were playing around with how to fit in [name_f]Greer[/name_f] somewhere one night and [name_f]Marsali[/name_f] [name_f]Greer[/name_f] was born. haha I agree [name_f]Grace[/name_f] also fits better with big sister’s name, as well. [name_f]Marsali[/name_f] and [name_u]Adley[/name_u] are a bit of an oddball sibset, but I don’t think I mind.

I think they work beautifully! Eclectic in the best way.

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I love Outlander! It’s my favorite book (and tv show) of all time! [name_f]Marsali[/name_f] is such a strong and cool character, a perfect name sake. I have it on my list too! :slight_smile:

I think it’s super useable. [name_f]Marsali[/name_f] is such a beautiful name. Gaelic names are becoming very popular in the states, plus [name_f]Marsali[/name_f] is easy to pronounce so it won’t stand out at all.

[name_f]Marsali[/name_f] [name_f]Grace[/name_f] is stunning! [name_m]Can[/name_m]’t go wrong with [name_f]Grace[/name_f]. [name_f]Marsali[/name_f] [name_f]Greer[/name_f] is very Scottish but if you have Scottish roots maybe that could be a way to get around it being too Scottish. However, if you do love it, just use it! Middle names don’t get said very often so I’m sure no one will really notice! If you do want your kids names to go together I would go with [name_f]Marsali[/name_f] [name_f]Grace[/name_f]. [name_f]My[/name_f] votes for [name_f]Marsali[/name_f] [name_f]Greer[/name_f] though!

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Our roots, as far as I know, are Irish, [name_m]German[/name_m], [name_m]Norman[/name_m], and maaaaybe Scottish, but possibly [name_f]English[/name_f]. Ha. So no strong Scottish roots, unfortunately. We do love it, but I think we would likely go with [name_f]Grace[/name_f] to balance [name_f]Marsali[/name_f] a tad.

Also, I agree that [name_f]Marsali[/name_f] in Outlander would be a good namesake! We weren’t going for that specifically, but we aren’t unhappy about it either. haha Particularly [name_f]Marsali[/name_f] in the show. I really enjoy the way she’s portrayed.

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Marsali ia excellent! Distinctive but easy to pronouce and I can totally see it next to [name_u]Adley[/name_u]! [name_f]Marsali[/name_f] [name_f]Grace[/name_f] sounds great!!

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It’s a brilliant name, and while I first heard it in Outlander (big fan here also) I don’t feel like it’s particularly tied to the book like some literary names can be. In any case, she is a great character if people do make that connection.

I actually love the combo [name_f]Marsali[/name_f] [name_f]Greer[/name_f]. Putting myself in little [name_f]Marsali[/name_f]’s place, if I were to ask ‘where did my middle name come from?’ I think I would rather hear ‘your dad just really loved it’ than ‘it matches nicely with your sister’s middle name’. [name_m]Just[/name_m] another way to think about the choice.

Go for it! [name_u]Adley[/name_u] and [name_f]Marsali[/name_f] sound great together!

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That’s true. We also love [name_f]Grace[/name_f], so that one isn’t up for consideration solely because it’s similar to big sister’s name. [name_f]Greer[/name_f], though, is a name we love but we’re too chicken (at least at this point) to use her in the first name spot. Haha

Marsali [name_f]Greer[/name_f] is gorgeous!

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I really love [name_f]Marsali[/name_f], though I prefer the [name_f]Marsaili[/name_f]. I live in [name_f]Scotland[/name_f] and know two of them - one a middle ages woman, one a little girl, so I’ve never really associated it with Outlander (I’ve not read the books and only seen bits and pieces f the show). I’m not a big fan of [name_f]Greer[/name_f] or [name_f]Grace[/name_f] unfortunately, and though out of the two I prefer [name_f]Marsali[/name_f] [name_f]Grace[/name_f], I’m also a firm believer you should go with what you love, and if [name_f]Marsali[/name_f] [name_f]Greer[/name_f] is what you love, then you should go with that.

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@Lupins Thanks for your response. I appreciate feedback from someone actually living in [name_f]Scotland[/name_f] since it’s a Scottish name. I tend to really love Scottish and Irish names, but without any Scottish heritage and only about a 1/4 Irish heritage on my side, I hesitate to use some of the more uncommon names. haha We aren’t set on [name_f]Grace[/name_f] or [name_f]Greer[/name_f] as the middle. We just haven’t found anything else we’ve liked much yet. I struggle with middle names. :woman_shrugging: