Holy Roman Empress Maria Theresa had 11 daughters and they were all named Maria Something. Was there a specific reason for this, or was this a bit of vanity on Maria Theresa's part?

by andlife

I've been looking for an answer to this on Google, but have yet to find a reason. I think it's really fascinating that all her daughters had the first same name, and was thinking maybe it was an Austrian tradition, or related to religion somehow?

molstern

It was a Habsburg tradition, and had been since the 17th century, so it wasn't Maria Theresa's idea. It was also to show the family's and Austria's special devotion to the Virgin Mary, so you're doubly right.

source: Marie Antoinette: The Journey, by Antoina Fraser