I am pretty much sold on Elizabeth being the most awesome name ever but can't use it as a first. So popularity doesn't matter
Although I feel like we should use Jane if possible because it is MIL's name and J's middle name is my mom's name.
Maybe I am cold hearted, but I would not worry about this. If you like/love Jane and want to use it, go for it. I don't think you should feel obligated to use it though.
I think Laurel is a great name and has way less of a chance being mispronounced than Mara.
FWIW, I'm obviously Lauren and still get called Laura a lot, especially in emails which drives me nuts because my email address is RIGHT THERE. I think some people are just bound to not pay attention.
All this time I was thinking Mara rhymes with Zara. Still cute... But I really like laurel
But it does rhyme with Zara. I think. Rhymes with the word far like faraway. But that's how I say Farrah too.
It can, but it seems like starry is pronouncing it like mare-uh. Like rhymes with Sara. That's what I meant, I didn't realize that's how she was pronouncing it.
I think Laurel is a great name and has way less of a chance being mispronounced than Mara.
FWIW, I'm obviously Lauren and still get called Laura a lot, especially in emails which drives me nuts because my email address is RIGHT THERE. I think some people are just bound to not pay attention.
I have to join in to commiserate with this. The same thing happens to me and I rage when I signed my email ...ren and the reply is ...a. Drives me nuts.
I love the name Mara, and would pronounce it the way OP wants it pronounced - likely because I went to high school with a Mara pronouned like rhymes with car-uh. I don't like the name Laurel.