Merryn, Mirren or Maren?

Girl Names
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We’ve been a toying with one of these names to add to our list as a middle name to honour my grandmother [name_m]Merle[/name_m], who was supposed to be [name_f]Meryl[/name_f].

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[name_f]Merryn[/name_f] is obviously the closest in terms of appearance. I know the name has an old history, but I want to be mindful of whatever we use looking trendy and unfortunately people often assume this about the y spellings.

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I’m also Australian so sound wise Mer- (Mehr) and [name_f]Mar[/name_f]- (MARE) don’t sound worlds apart in my accent. [name_f]Mirren[/name_f] has always sort of intrigued me.

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[name_f]My[/name_f] husband likes [name_f]Muireann[/name_f], but it’s a bit long and I feel like will be tricky on paperwork etc. I’m predominantly [name_m]Irish[/name_m], so I sort of lean to the [name_m]Irish[/name_m] variations.

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But curious on others thoughts? Open to other similar variations as well! [name_f][/name_f] Thanks!

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These are all lovely variations, you can’t go wrong with any of them!

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Ranked in order of preference:

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1. [name_f]Mirren[/name_f][name_f][/name_f] is my favorite choice for y’all! She doesn’t seem to have any obvious hesitations on your end, and has a distinctive look while still maintaining a familiar spelling. [name_f]Mirren[/name_f] is just pure magic – she’s sparkly & bright, but also grounded and strong. :sparkles:

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2. [name_f]Merryn[/name_f][name_f][/name_f] is definitely the closest to [name_f]Meryl[/name_f] in history, appearance, & sound, and absolutely a stunning choice – but unfortunately “y” spellings are often misinterpreted as “trendy” so if that bothers you, I would stay away from this variation.

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3. [name_f]Muireann[/name_f][name_f][/name_f] is an amazing name, and I love how her [name_m]Irish[/name_m] origins have meaning for you. However, you’d definitely have to be prepared for pronunciation confusion, if you live outside of [name_f]Ireland[/name_f]. If that doesn’t bother you, I say go for it!

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4. [name_f]Maren[/name_f][name_f][/name_f] is the most straightforward choice, I would say – gentle & pretty, but also strong, with a familiar spelling. However, she’s not my favorite choice just because she doesn’t have that spark of personality that the other options do… maybe “too” familiar?

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A few other variations, if you’d like them, could be: [name_f]Marilyn[/name_f], [name_f]Marian[/name_f] / [name_f]Marion[/name_f], [name_f]Marlene[/name_f], [name_f]Maureen[/name_f], or [name_f]Merewen[/name_f] (this one is my favorite!)

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I love the name [name_f]Mirren[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]- variant of [name_f]Marion[/name_f] but there is also a Scottish, male, St [name_f]Mirren[/name_f], whose story is lost in time.

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[name_f]Meryl[/name_f] is a variant of [name_m]Merle[/name_m], which means blackbird.
[name_f][/name_f]So [name_f]Raven[/name_f] might be another consideration.

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I love either [name_f]Maren[/name_f] or [name_f]Merewen[/name_f] for this!

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[name_f]Mirren[/name_f] is sharp, bright, and stylish, but feels solid and established too.

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[name_f]Muireann[/name_f] is strong and mystical and gives you that [name_m]Irish[/name_m] connection. I do think the pronunciation might confuse people outside of [name_f]Ireland[/name_f] / unfamiliar with [name_m]Irish[/name_m] names so I guess it depends if that’s something you’re okay with (maybe test it out on those around you?)

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[name_f]Merryn[/name_f] is bright and cheerful and I like it a lot [name_f][/name_f]- I don’t find it “trendy” but I can see how it might be perceived as such

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[name_f]Maren[/name_f] feels classic and solid, pretty and warm. I like it

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I think [name_f]Mirren[/name_f] and [name_f]Merryn[/name_f] are my favourites, and for you, I’m thinking [name_f]Mirren[/name_f] wins slightly?

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A few other options that came to mind:

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[name_f]Mavis[/name_f] (similamar meaning)
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Muriel[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Mirela[/name_f] (similar letters)
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Marceline[/name_f]

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I really like [name_f]Maren[/name_f] :yellow_heart:

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I think [name_f]Maren[/name_f] is the most recognizable and straightforward. [name_f]Merryn[/name_f] is the closest to Merle/Meryl, so it’s a great way to honor her. [name_f][/name_f] I would go with one of those.

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I know a girl named [name_f]Marin[/name_f] which could be an option. I also like [name_f]Maren[/name_f]

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I love [name_f]Mirren[/name_f]. [name_f]Maren[/name_f] is also nice but a very different vibe.

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These are such beautiful names, and what a lovely way to honor your grandmother!

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[name_f]My[/name_f] favorite option is [name_f]Maren[/name_f][name_f][/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]- simple, straightforward, none of the trendy concerns of [name_f]Merryn[/name_f][name_f][/name_f] or any of the complex concerns of [name_f]Muireann[/name_f][name_f][/name_f]. [name_f][/name_f] [name_f]Merryn[/name_f][name_f][/name_f] is lovely, though, and I adore her. [name_f][/name_f] She has the added bonus of having “merry” right in her name!

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[name_f]Mirren[/name_f] is intriguing but doesn’t hold as much light and charm for me in that I think of [name_f]Helen[/name_f] [name_f]Mirren[/name_f] straightaway. [name_f][/name_f] Not a bad tie, but I’m not a huge fan of using celebrity surnames in general.

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Good luck!

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I prefer [name_f]Maren[/name_f], and I would avoid [name_f]Muireann[/name_f] if pronunciation and spelling issues will bother you. [name_f]Mirren[/name_f] just reminds me of [name_f]Helen[/name_f], but I do like them all so don’t think you can go wrong.

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If it helps, I’m an [name_f]Eryn[/name_f], I’m nearing 30 years old now and no one has ever considered my name ‘trendy’ (neither have I!), so I don’t really think [name_f]Merryn[/name_f] is. Maybe it’s my bias but I wouldn’t worry there at all.

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I LOVE [name_f]Mirren[/name_f], [name_f]Maren[/name_f] and [name_f]Marin[/name_f]. (Love love the nicknames [name_f]Mari[/name_f] and [name_m]Ren[/name_m] / Rin)

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Honestly all the options you’ve shared work great.
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]My[/name_f] number one choice would probably [name_f]Maren[/name_f].

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I like [name_f]Maren[/name_f] or [name_f]Marin[/name_f].

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I used Mairin for my daughter’s middle name. [name_f][/name_f] It is an [name_m]Irish[/name_m] / Gaelic form of the name, [name_f]Maureen[/name_f], meaning “little Mary.”

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These are all lovely, so you can’t go wrong with any of them, but since it’s a middle name, if I were you, I’d probably choose [name_f]Merryn[/name_f] since it looks the closest to [name_f]Meryl[/name_f] and won’t be seen spelled out by very many people in her life, so not many people will even have the opportunity to judge the spelling as trendy. [name_f]Hope[/name_f] that helps!

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I have a friend who is called [name_f]Meryl[/name_f]. It is very usable as it is. Otherwise, I would use [name_f]Merryn[/name_f].