A herd of Marys

The most popular ten female names in Ireland of the 19th century, in descending order, were Mary, Bridget, Margaret, Ellen, Catherine, Kate and Annie. Kelly was the most common surname after Murphy. So Mary Kelly is the Irish equivalent of John Smith. Of course, that doesn’t mean Mary Kelly wasn’t her birth name, but if she wanted to hide it’s easier amid a shoal of Marys and a herd of Kellys.

And she certainly recoiled against the moniker, stating she was really Marie Jeanette and not plain Mary Jane.

During most of the 19th century, the most popular given names in England were Mary and either John or William.

She stated she married a Davies whose first name was John. Davies is the 2nd most common surname in Wales and 8th most common in England. Oh, and her brother Henry was called Johnto or John too. Seems plain Mary Jane had rather a theme going here.

If she wanted anonymity she certainly succeeded. The question is, as always, why?

And just to add to the anonymity she says her father's name is John (Kelly) – or John Smith if she were English. I don't believe her.