You really can't have a Mary and a Joseph, can you?

[SantanaLopez]

They are DH's favourite two names of all time.

His argument is that they won't always be introduced as Mary and Joseph, and that it's a perfectly normal set of names (Irish Catholic).

I'm not convinced!

[Hassled]

They will always be introduced as Mary and Joseph though, won't they? "These are my children, Mary and Joseph". Even if you say "These are my children, Joe and Mary" people are still going to think "bible". But if you're Catholic, does that actually matter?

[Bowlersarm]

I think it's more marked if you only have the two children. If you have more than two the Joseph and Mary combination will be diluted, especially if Joseph becomes Joe.

[SirChenjin]

No, you really can't

How about Mari and Joe?

[dyslexicdespot]

They will have to endure all sorts of incest jokes- I doubt that they will thank you for it!

[SantanaLopez]

I think Joey is lovely. I like that.

We already have a DD not called Mary, this is just premature hypothetical naming!

I don't like the thought of incest jokes

[flaquark]

I would do it. Especially if you already have another DD not called Mary. Plus DC3 might not be a girl.

I like Joe/Joey as a name

DP has cousins called Jacob, Leah and Rachel. Most people dont even relis straight away. It is funny though.

[Minty82]

Hahaha, no! You just can't...

[wigglesrock]

My mum and her brother are a Mary & Joe. But there's another 5 of them to dilute it. I had never thought about it until you said it . I do know a Joe who married a Mary

[Layl77]

Haha no ypu can't!

[BikeRunSki]

No you can't. In the same way I couldn't have Adam (dh) and Eve ( was a possibility for dd).

[Alexandrite]

Reminds me of the Royle Family. "I'm Mary and this is Joseph, but we've got Cheryl not Jesus."

[IHaveA]

I knew a couple called Mary and Joseph and the biblical connection was commented on a lot.

Would your DH consider a similar name such as Jordan, Jacob or Joshua?

[MoominsYonisAreScary]

Dps grandparents had a mary and a joseph

[TidyDancer]

Alexandrite - that's exactly what I was thinking!

OP, you really really can't do this!

[boardingschoolbaby]

My friend is joe (Joseph) with a big sister Mary. What we actually joke about is how on earth his parents then decided on Bob for number 3!

[cartoad]

Just because they're your dh's favourite names... What do you think of them? What are your favourite names - how do they work with joey or Mary? Could you let him have one of them but come up with something different for the other name?

Must admit I would be adamantly against having a Mary and Joseph in the same way I'd be about having any well known or common pairing of names (ronnie and reggie, Ben and Holly, Kate and poppa, William and Harry etc) regardless of how much I liked the names individually. It would just feel like I was doing it because of them even if I wasn't.

I think joseph's quite nice although very common around here. And although mary's not common around here, it still sounds very dated; I don't think it's quite time for it's revival yet - so if you used it now you'd be well ahead of the curve!

(and speaking of pairs of names, I do know a Noah and nelly that are bother and sister which always makes me )

[Alexandrite]

I love the name Mary. There are a couple at our local high school. (Not catholic) But not with Joseph.

[Tea1Sugar]

Marie and Joseph

[Mim78]

Can't do it.

How about Miriam which is the Hebrew version, so the "real" name of Mary?

Or Mariam, the Arab version?

[SantanaLopez]

We used my favourite for DD so it's only fair he would get a bigger say if there was a next time!

I can't believe I didn't remember the Royle Family!

[NewBlueShoesToo]

No you can't.
But you could name the fish, rabbits or any other pair of pets Mary and Joseph.

[ThePigOfHappiness]

I know twins called Mary and Joseph. As kids we ripped the piss constantly. I wouldn't if I were you

[RoadToTuapeka]

No, don't do it, for all the reasons others have posted.