In the rolling hills of California, Mary Heffernan and her husband Brian raise cattle on a ranch they call Five Marys. The name reflects a simple fact. Mary and each of their four daughters share the same first name. While many people find the choice unusual, the family views it as a natural way to honor generations of strong women on both sides.
The decision grew from deep family roots. Both the Heffernans trace long lines of Catholic women named Mary, a name they see as timeless and full of meaning. “On both sides of our families, we have a long line of strong Catholic women who were named Mary,” Mary explained in an interview with Daily Mail. Naming their first daughter Mary felt like the right way to pay respect to grandparents and carry the tradition forward.
When the couple welcomed more daughters, they kept the pattern going. They never expected four girls in a row, but once the first carried the name, continuing seemed obvious. “It felt timeless and meaningful,” Mary said. “Once we started, there was no turning back.” Each girl received a distinct middle name drawn from beloved relatives, giving everyone a clear way to tell them apart in daily life.
The oldest daughter is Mary Frances Borchard, known as Francie after Brian’s late grandmother. The second is Mary Marjorie, called Maisie in honor of Mary’s grandmother and great-grandmother. The third goes by Mary Jane, or Janie, remembering a grandmother on the father’s side. The youngest, Mary Teresa Katherine, answers to Tess, a nod to several cherished aunts and a great-grandmother. The girls themselves love sharing the name, which matters most to their parents.
Online reactions have been mixed. Some people question the choice and leave critical comments, but Mary brushes it aside. “People on social media always have an opinion,” she noted, adding that the family needs no outside approval. Instead of feeling hurt, she sees the attention as helpful. “I don’t spend much time worrying about it. In fact, it just makes us more recognizable, as well as our Five Marys brand,” she said. The shared name has become part of their ranch identity and business.
Naming multiple children the same first name remains rare in the United States, though it appears in various cultures and famous examples. The name Mary itself has ranked among the most common female names for centuries, largely because of its religious importance in Christianity as the mother of Jesus. Many Catholic families traditionally give daughters Mary as a first or middle name to invoke protection and virtue. Similar patterns show up elsewhere, such as families using the same name across generations with Roman numerals or “Junior” designations, especially for sons.
In some Latin American and European traditions, siblings occasionally share first names while using middle names or nicknames for distinction. The practice can strengthen family bonds and preserve heritage, though modern parents often prefer unique names to foster individual identity. Whatever the approach, choices like the Heffernans’ highlight how personal naming decisions can be.
What do you think about giving several children in one family the exact same first name? Share your thoughts in the comments.
