I think in latin-issued languages the use of Mary (Marie, Maria) in a composed first name for a man is quite frequent...
In france there are many Jean-Marie (Jean= John), Pierre-Marie (Pierre= Peter)etc.
In Italy Carlo-Maria is not infrequent... etc...
Originally (even if it has lost this mean) it was a sign of particular devotion for Mary in lands dominated by catholic church...
well i'm writing this in the wrong topic... should be on alrik's one about cultural differences!
Last edited by MASTER_GUROTH; 26/01/05 04:29 PM.
