[teachnkids]

I am applying for a job and the contact persons first name is Marion. I do not know if this spelling is strictly for males. I know Marian is female. I don't want to put Mr. Marion _________ if it could be for a female.

[dakota_blue5]

Traditionally, I believe Marion is masculine. But it's hard to tell. I have a unisex name and my parents gave me the traditionally masculine spelling even though I'm female. Things still occasionally come to me addressed Mr.

[PoohBear]

My mother's name is Marion. There are very few male Marion's anymore but I wouldn't chance getting it wrong. I would leave off the Mr or Ms

[Ima Teacher]

Marion can be either male or female.

I have a male cousin named Marion Gayle, and everybody has always called him by both names, too.

[bGracie]

I think of it as a woman's name no matter how it is spelled. I know it can be for a man, but I would usually assume it's a woman. I agree that maybe you should leave off the Mr./Mrs.

[teachnkids]

If I'm going to leave off the Mr/Ms how do I do the greeting on the cover letter.

Dear_____????

[klarabelle]

Can't you call the office and find out if it is a fe/male? Is the name listed as Marion without a last name? If just address it as Marion.

[teachnkids]

It's got a last name listed. I can't call because it's a school and it's closed. Already been to the schools web page trying to figure it out. Not so lucky!

[bGracie]

I think putting, "Dear Marion ______," would be ok, better than calling a man Mrs. anyway. I know I've had to do similar things in the past when I've had to address principals with gender neutral names such as Pat, Dana, etc.

[teenytiny]

If you can't call, then I'd address the letter like this:

Dear Marion Smith,

Definitely do not guess at whether it's a man or woman. If you get it wrong, Marion will be put off by your letter immediately and could even be insulted, even though it really is an innocent mistake.

[rachelmpd]

I agree with Teeny-Dear Marion Smith

My sister has the name "Elisha", Alicia is the traditional spelling for a female. My sister feels that her name is for a male.

[grammam]

Try googling Marion _____ and the town. Maybe you'll get enough of a profile to make a determination.

[Evergreen]

Play it safe and go with Dear Marion Smith!
Even if you look something up online, it could be wrong...and that mistake would mean your resume/cover letter goes right in the trash.

[tammynj]

Play it safe and go with Dear Marion Smith!

I think that is the only way to go. I'm sure this person (esp. if a male) sees this confusion all the time, so you'd think they'd put the title with the name.... that it's not makes me think that it is a woman. It can be both, but I think it's more apt to be a woman.

Did you know that Marion was John Wayne's given name?

[missvicki77]

As is my BIL. So, in my case, it's a boys name!

[magnolia]

To me. But I would TOTALLY find out through Facebook, google, etc. I bet the information is out there. Good luch with the job.

[♥theColts]

My maternal grandfather's name was Marian, but he went by "Bud."

[Miller]

my uncle's mother's name is Marion so I'm going to go female/feminine.

Just say, Dear Marion _______.

[Lottalove]

There are masc and fem versions of many names but parents are often unaware when a baby is born.

My grandpa was a Frances who went by Frank but I still get the Frances and Francis mixed up...

[teachnkids]

Thank you so much! I think I will go with Dear Marion ______.

I have done a google search and anything that came up did not show whether the name was for a female or male.

Better to be safe than look like a fool!

Thanks again!