"Marilyn" as a Name

Joe Ferraro of Brookfield, Connecticut, writes:

Marilyn: My wife is five months pregnant, and we are considering the name "Marilyn" for a girl. It's my wife's favorite. She thinks the name is glamorous and feminine. Any thoughts on this?

Marilyn responds:

It's a great name! Plus, "Marilyn" is unusual these days, so your daughter would not have a "me, too" name. I have only one caution. It's hard to call a baby or toddler "Marilyn," so be prepared with a pet name to use often for a while. And be equally prepared to drop the pet name entirely by the time she starts preschool, or the name may stick. You want your daughter to be a "Marilyn," not a "Sweetie Pie"!