Does This Name Sound Weird?

I like Kennedy Marie. Kennedy Mary just does not flow together right. But you know...no one goes by their middle names anyway so do what makes you happy!

I think one issue is that both names end with the 'y' sound. That being said, pick the first name you love and honor a person with the middle name regardless of the sound not being perfect. As a name alone, I like Mary over Marie, yet Kennedy Marie flows better together.

The first and last name 'going' together is more important.

Mary Kennedy might sound good to people because it actually sounds like a familiar first and last name. We get used to names together (the reason for the posters below liking Lisa Marie over Lisa Mary; the first combo is more common).

I like Mary Kennedy or Kennedy Marie. Kennedy Mary just doesn't flow well...

If you have to ask the question, you already know the answer.

I like the names, just not together. It's NOT my kid and NOT my choice. You need to shout it out loud and see how it sounds coming from YOUR lips, not mine.

You can name your kid anything you'd like. We decided we would keep things easy for ours. No gender neutral names. No last names as first names. No names which have a number of possible spellings.

Didn't want to complicate things for our boys.

Best
F. B.

Go with whichever sounds best to you--you are the people who will be saying it! Do think about how the first and last name sound together, however, because that is how your child will probably be addressed.

By the way, in response to the people who said the middle name isn't used or only used when Kiddo is in trouble--I used to think that. Then I moved to the South and found that it was not uncommon for my students and other people to go by their middle name or to use both their first and middle names. So it really depends on the region. That tidbit isn't relevant for this poster based on the location (Wisconsin), however I thought I'd mention it.

Well now, that's not necessarily true that people stick with their first names and do not use their middle names. I have a co-worker named Michael Anthony, he goes by Tony and does not want to be called Michael. Another friend is Dennis Scott, he just goes by Scott or D. Scott. You also have writer F. Scott Fitzgerald who did the same thing, and a former co-worker of mine was Dietrich Renee and she just went by Renee. There are also people who go by both names, like Lisa Marie, Kelly Marie, or Lisa Rae. Your child will eventually decide which name she prefers, or she may decide to use both names. I agree with those who say Kennedy Marie sounds better, or you can choose Mary Kennedy, and she can just go by her middle name of Kennedy. I think Kennedy Mary sounds odd, just as Mary Lisa or Lisa Mary would, but not Lisa Marie, which does flow.

I think if you're questioning it, then you already feel like it doesn't 'sound right.' You will have to live with this name for the rest of your life (and hers)...so make sure you LOVE it! We named our daughter Marcia Paige, to honor my husband's sister who died of cancer--knowing that we could call her Paige. #1 "Paige Marcia" didn't as pretty/lyrical as "Marcia Paige"; #2 - I LOVE LOVE the name Paige (from my obsession with 'Knots Landing in 80s); and #3 my husband emotionally didn't think he could refer to her as Marcia. But, with that said, it's been a pain the in butt in many instances for my daughter who is now 21: school, insurance, bank, applications, etc.... Would I change it if I could go back. Absolutely not.

You really never use your child's middle name so keep Mary since its a family name and choose whatever first name you want. My son has an awful middle name (a family name) and other than diplomas it doesn't appear anywhere.

No one uses their middle name. I have a terrible middle name (not sure what my parents were thinking) and thankfully except for the odd time in school, it never came up.

I honored family with our middle names too. I like that. So if Mary is the actual family name, I'd go with that - if that's your intent. On the flip side, I've known people to modify their family name to suit their purposes. My father's name was like this. But his was just shortened. Keep in mind, if you switch it to Marie, then going forward if other people want to honor your daughter, they will likely pass on the name Marie over Mary. Depends how important this is to you.

I like the sound Kennedy Marie better - but I like Kennedy Mary since those are the names you like, and I don't think you need to have it be melodic. Most people's names aren't.

I'd be more concerned about first name and last name. That's what I was more focused on. And thinking of all the variations that kids could come up with. Then we just used the name around the house a bit like "Pass the peas Kennedy" type thing and I'd try yelling it a few times. It's a cute name and one that will be appropriate when she's older too :)

I think it sounds fine, and besides you never use their middle name unless they are in trouble anyways ;)

Kennedy Marie sounds better. I like Mary Marie too. lol Good luck.

I think Kennedy Mary sounds weird. If you really want Mary, I would choose a different first name. Otherwise go with Marie, which is still a tribute to Mary.

Regarding name order which is coming up below....Put her names in any order that sounds "right" to you and then decide what you'll call her and stick to that! I know plenty of adults and a few kids who go by their middle names. I'm one of them. My parents always intended for me to be called by that particular name but the ordering of my names just sounded better with another name in front. People will call your kid what YOU tell them to call your kid, though you can expect to do quite a bit of "Oh yes, her first name is X but we call her Y so please use Y on the class list/Scout roster/camp nametag/etc." when she's young.

One thing about the name Kennedy -- go for it if you love it, but be aware that you will likely have to deal sometimes with teachers etc. who might only note Kennedy (if it's the first name and they don't notice Mary) and who might assume she's a boy at first before they meet her. I've actually known a couple of Kennedys, surprisingly, but both were boys. I do think it's fine as a girl's name too! So use it if you love it, just realize that you need to accept some confusion when you're registering her for stuff or when people meet her for the first time. That'll end a few years into school as she gets known in the school system.

As for Mary versus Marie, if you're using the name because of the family connection, I would use the family's traditional spelling of Mary. I think Mary Kennedy has more flow than Kennedy Mary but that's only me -- do what you think sounds best!

I think Mary as a first name is going to be the next traditional name that makes a comeback, myself.

I have a friend named Mary Kennedy (Kennedy is her middle name) - she is almost 40. I think it flows better than Kennedy Mary. The only time you will hear first and middle together is at her naming ceremony, when she is in trouble and marriage / funeral so maybe it doesn't matter. Unless she is in trouble a lot, like my 9 year old:) Good luck!

I think Kennedy Mary is nice. My family typically does not use their middle names, so if you like Mary, then it won't matter anyway unless your last name rhymes with Mary ;). but I like either :)

Mary Kennedy flows better IMO. It also sounds like a first & last name. You could also consider Mary Kennedy Marie which sounds nice too. Good luck!

Kennedy Marie sounds awesome to me! Mary-Marie Kennedy is cute too IMO.

Yeah, it doesn't flow well. I do like Kennedy Marie though

I like Mary Kennedy better. It really depends on the length and syllables of the last name too.

Like if was Kennedy Mary Jones verses Kennedy Mary Marley.

I see Kennedy and think Marie sounds good with it. Kennedy Marie. Kennedy Mary just seems toooooo Y(ish). Repetitive end sound. Mary Kennedy is repetitive too but since Mary is short it isn't so obvious.

Kennedy is very pretty though so don't count it out. If you truly want the middle name to be Mary there are lots of names to go with it.

I think Kennedy Marie sounds better too but Mary Kennedy sounds better (IMO) You could still call her Kennedy even though it's her middle name.