Mary was , by far , the most common Jewish given name for females during the first century .
It was necessary for the authors of the gospels to call Mary 's Magdalene in order to distinguish her from the other women named Mary who followed Jesus .
Mary was , by far , the most common Jewish given name for females during the first century , so it was necessary for the authors of the gospels to call her Magdalene in order to distinguish her from the other women named Mary who followed Jesus .