I have the most common name in the English speaking world for my time - especially in Catholic families - so there were always many of us in class, and we had to use our middle names and sometimes our last initials. It was usual for girls to be called on with something like “Mary Katherine-with-a-K” or Mary Ann no-e M."
Since the name became less popular with the years, I no longer hear people calling my name everywhere. Sometimes the wind cries Mary…
I once dated a Jewish Mary, that was odd. Not many around since the original I imagine. In a friend’s Italian Catholic family every single brood has a Frances or Francis. Yell “Frankie” at a family gathering and dozens of heads will turn! Traditions continue, my friend’s daughter just married a Daniel, same name as her brother and his father. Oy…
