Mom Names All 4 Daughters Mary—Defending the Family Tradition

Fort Jones, California – A California ranching family is capturing attention online, not for a viral rodeo performance, but for a remarkably consistent naming tradition. Brian and Mary Heffernan have four daughters, and all of them share the same first name: Mary. The story, initially shared on social media, has sparked a conversation about family traditions, the weight of a name, and the surprisingly strong opinions people hold about both.

Mary Heffernan first explained the family’s decision in a 2020 Instagram post, a post that recently resurfaced and gained wider traction. The choice, she explained, stems from a deep-rooted family history. “There is a long history of strong Catholic women named Mary on both sides of our families and Brian and I wanted to carry on the tradition with our first baby,” she wrote. What began as a respectful nod to ancestry unexpectedly became a pattern when the couple continued to welcome daughters.

The Heffernans didn’t anticipate having four girls, but once the trend began, they felt compelled to continue. “We never thought about the fact we might have FOUR girls, but once we started this trend there was no going back!” Mary Heffernan stated. The decision wasn’t made lightly, and each daughter’s full name incorporates a second name honoring significant female relatives.

The eldest, MaryFrances Borchard, is named after Brian’s grandmother, though with a slight adjustment. His grandmother, Bernice Borchard, disliked her own name, so the couple opted to include her sister’s name, Frances, instead. Interestingly, Mary’s great-grandfather was also named Francis. They affectionately call her Francie.

Their second daughter, MaryMarjorie Sheehy, honors Mary’s maternal grandmother, Mary Sheehy, and her sister, Marjorie Sheehy. She’s known as Maisie. According to Mary Heffernan, “Aunt Marge cries every time she sees Maisie, saying how much she looks just like her late sister.”

The third daughter, MaryJane Regan, followed suit, and the fourth, Mary Teresa, completed the quartet. Each girl also has a unique nickname – Janie and Tessa, respectively – providing a way to distinguish them in everyday life.

The unusual naming convention hasn’t been without its critics. The family has faced a barrage of comments online, ranging from confusion to outright disapproval. Some commenters joked about the logistical challenges of calling for “Mary” in a crowded room. However, Mary Heffernan has remained steadfast in her defense of the choice.

“Internet has always its opinions,” she reportedly said, dismissing the negativity. She emphasized that her daughters love their names and that’s what truly matters. “We don’t need anyone from the outside to approve. The girls love their names, and that’s what counts.”

For Mary Heffernan, the name Mary represents strength, humility, and steadiness – qualities she hopes to instill in her daughters. “Mary is a strong name. For me, it represents humility, steadiness and strength. It’s a name that has lasted generations and they love it because it represents the foundation of our family,” she explained.

The family’s commitment to the name extends beyond their daughters. They’ve even incorporated it into the name of their ranch, “Five Marys,” a nod to the four daughters and their mother. The ranch, located in Fort Jones, focuses on raising cattle.

Despite the potential for confusion, the Heffernans claim the multiple Marys don’t cause significant problems in their daily lives, except perhaps during airport security checks. They maintain that the individual personalities and second names of each daughter prevent any loss of identity.

“Each of them has a strong sense of self and very different personalities,” Mary Heffernan stated. “The shared name doesn’t define them, it anchors them in our family tradition.” The story highlights the personal significance families place on names and the enduring power of tradition, even in the face of public scrutiny.