I am probably trying too hard here, but DH and I have two people we would like to honor with a possible future daughter. Their names are Maria (Mary) and Giovanna (Joan).
This name literally just popped into my head (so I don't even know if DH likes it) but I am curious to inital reactions.
Here are my reservations
1. Even though I was suprised about the amount of people that think of pot when they hear the name Mary Jane, that still doesn't bother me. What would bother me would be having to constantly correct people. Do you think that when I say "this is Mary Joan", people are going to hear Mary Jane?
2. Is a sibset of Josephine and Mary Joan too much Jo?
If you can think of any other cute Maria/ Mary/ Marie/ Joan/ Giovanna combos I am totallty open!
BFP 1- EDD 2/09/11 Missed MC DX @11 weeks D&C- 7/25/10 BFP 2- EDD 12/22/11 Natural MC @ 5w 2d BFP 3- EDD 1/25/12 DD Josephine born 1/16/12

Re: s/o Mary Jane- Mary Joan
I know...but I am bugged that the translation is Joan and that name alone seems like too much "Jo". Maybe I am overthinking?
BFP 1- EDD 2/09/11 Missed MC DX @11 weeks D&C- 7/25/10 BFP 2- EDD 12/22/11 Natural MC @ 5w 2d BFP 3- EDD 1/25/12 DD Josephine born 1/16/12
We were going to do Mary Something Joan-- is that lame?
BFP 1- EDD 2/09/11 Missed MC DX @11 weeks D&C- 7/25/10 BFP 2- EDD 12/22/11 Natural MC @ 5w 2d BFP 3- EDD 1/25/12 DD Josephine born 1/16/12
1. I think I would hear Mary Joan and not assume it was Mary Jane or Mary Jean.
2. It's a little bit too much Jo. Not enough that if I loved the name I'd not use it. But I get why you are asking and don't think it falls under "over-thinking." I want to suggest Joan Marie so bad... I love the sound of that! But... that would def be too much Jo because both names begin with the Jo sound.
ALSO: I love love Giovanna. Would you consider a first/middle combo of Giovanna Marie? That sounds very nice! Again, Joan Marie as a double first name is cute, just too much Jo. Hmm... I'm thinking Mary Joan is best bet of all the possibilities.
I love Mary Joan, it is made up of real names that everyone knows, but is also a little different too! I would use it.
have you thought of
Gia Marie
Mary Gina
Gina Marie
Mary Giovanna nn Mary Gia
My sister is Mary Pat and always gets, "Mary Beth?" Just my experience!
That's pretty cute! Thanks for the suggestion!
BFP 1- EDD 2/09/11 Missed MC DX @11 weeks D&C- 7/25/10 BFP 2- EDD 12/22/11 Natural MC @ 5w 2d BFP 3- EDD 1/25/12 DD Josephine born 1/16/12
This. Giovanna is lovely - Joan is nms.
This! I would do Maria Giovanna over Mary Joan. I think Mary Joan just has a weird vibe to it.
1. I do think people will probably hear Mary Jane instead of Mary Joan. Some people decide it's worth it even if the kid usually has to repeat it. Or perhaps she could go by Mary Jo even if the full legal name is Mary Joan?
2. Hmm, my suggestion of Mary Jo might not work then. Maybe Mary Joanne would work. Though I'd say since you're naming after people then it's not too much Jo. It's not that you're obsessed with the Jo sound. Is Josephine named in honor of someone as well?
Joan is a variation of Jane so you could try Jana. Jeanne is also an option. And even Shawna (though I'm not a fan and you obviously lose the "J" sound.)
Thanks for the thoughtful response.
Josephine is named after my dear departed FIL, Jose.
I do like Giovanna-- it's something to consider-- just using that as a first name. Good thing I have plenty of time (being as this is all hypothetical!)
BFP 1- EDD 2/09/11 Missed MC DX @11 weeks D&C- 7/25/10 BFP 2- EDD 12/22/11 Natural MC @ 5w 2d BFP 3- EDD 1/25/12 DD Josephine born 1/16/12
I actually like Mary Joan a lot but I I like both Mary and Joan... so together I like it too.
A spin off could be Mary Gianna which I think has a nice rhythm.
I think Josephine and Joan are not too closely related to use them as sibs,
I really like Joan so I like the Mary Joan combo. I'm a big square so I don't think of weed when I hear Mary Jane.
It probably is a little Jo heavy as a sibset though. I could see Mary Joan being shortened to Mary Jo.