Mary Anne changes name to Marian

Mary Anne, known for her literary contributions, had a complex relationship with her name throughout her life. Initially, her name was recorded as Mary Anne in her baptismal record, a spelling used in her early correspondence. Within her family, however, the name was often spelled as Mary Ann. This inconsistency reflects the common practice of the time, where variations in spelling were not unusual. By the mid-19th century, she adopted the name Marian, a change that coincided with her growing prominence as a writer. This name change marked a significant shift in her identity, aligning with her literary persona. However, after her marriage to John Cross, she reverted to the name Mary Ann, which was inscribed on her memorial stone as 'Mary Ann Cross.' This fluctuation in her name illustrates the interplay between personal identity and public persona, as well as the societal expectations placed on women during that era. The name Marian, while representing her literary achievements, was ultimately replaced by a name that connected her to her family and marital status, highlighting the complexities of identity in the context of gender and societal norms.