Double standards?

[Smile19]

When I was pregnant with DS, I asked my great aunt for a list of girl names from the family (I was told he was a girl!)

Both DH and I loved Myra (believe it or not we didn't know about Hindley!) It became clear quickly this name is off the table.

I think it's sad such a beautiful name is unusable, yet infamous men in history don't have the same stigma (like Ted / Theodore).

Do you think Myra will ever be usable in the future?

[FenellaMaxwell]

It’s not really comparable though - when you say Theodore/Ted, people think Theodore Roosevelt not Ted Bundy. Myra Hindley is by far the best known use of that name.

[pasbeaucoupdegendarme]

I’m not sure that “infamous men” aren’t subjected to the same treatment. Can’t imagine many little Adolfs running around.

I suspect it has more to do with how unusual the name is and who it’s linked to. There are lots of little Freds despite Fred West... but Fred isn’t that unusual a name full stop.

[SavoyCabbage]

It’s not because she’s a woman, it’s because it was already an unusual name so it became synonymous with Hindley. It didn’t happen with Mary Bell for example.

I met a child Myra when I lived in Australia.

[Livid21]

Two fully grown adults who haven't heard of Myra Hindley?

Are you serious?

[Smile19]

Very true.

[Cosmoa]

Yeah it's definitely more to do with the fact that Myra Hindley was the most famous Myra of all.

[Smile19]

Lol - I know Livid! We knew about it but didn't latch on to the name(!)

[Threenanger]

I’ll be honest but I’ve bever heard of Myra hindley...so I wouldn’t make the association. Possibly future generations won’t make the association. But unfortunately some rarer names are tainted by famous people.
Eg. I love Camilla but it conjures up Parker-Bowles image and has become unusable.
As does the name Diana and her unfortunate death.

Some names are associated with famous people but don’t have negative connotations eg the name Mila and Mila kunis (she’s an ok actress)

Or Lara has been mentioned on other threads recently, and associated with Dr Zhivago or Lara Croft heroines (good associations)....

[grincheux]

Scraping the barrel I also thought of Myra McQueen from Hollyoaks. It's a shame because the name itself is pretty. I went to school with a girl called Maira - pronounced Myra - and I must admit I never thought of it as being associated with "Myra" or anyone called that IYKWIM.

[Baby2namehelp]

I know a wee baby Myra. You could also spell it Mira.

[Smile19]

Oh I'm so happy someone was brave enough to use it. Such a lovely name.

[Emelene]

Lyra is gorgeous if you like the sound.

[HJWT]

When I read Myra I thought of Hollyoaks 😬

[GreatDuckCookery6211]

No I don’t think it will ever be usuable, would you want the same name as a notorious child murderer?

[BeardofZeus]

The thing is, yes she was a killer but it wouldn’t be my first thought - in fact, I couldn’t tell you without first researching what it was/when it was she did what she did.. and I feel that the further away from her era time gets, the likelihood of that being the first connection will diminish

[MsSquiz]

I think it's because Myra is/was an unusual name so other than Hindley and McQueen, I would struggle to name another Myra. Whereas I could name you a good few famous Ted's/Theodora's before considering Bundy.

[PrettyAmazingGrace]

Am I going crazy or did I read this exact same thread about 2 months ago?

Not criticising, just surprised to see this was posted today, because when I read OP, I immediately thought, oh, this is an old thread.

[IVflytrap]

As other's have said, it's an unusual enough name that she is the most famous Myra in the UK.

On the other hand, the name Rose is in common usage (and is currently one of, if not the most popular middle name for girls). Even though Rose West is also infamous, she isn't the only person people think of when they hear the name Rose.

[Racecardriver]

I only heard of Myra hindly on mn (90s child raise in Australia). This is also the first I’ve heard of an infamous ted. I couldn’t possibly name an infamous murder off the top of my head with the exception of Charles Manson and Jack the Ripper. I can remember some when promoted like by this thread. A lot of people just don’t take an interest in this shit. It’s really not that surprising.

[IVflytrap]

• one of

[Theyellowsquare]

For me it's the link with the little ones she murdered, i couldn't name my daughter that.

Hopefully noneof the close family are around for this so I won't mince my words.

She was a monster. Beautiful Lesley-ann with the curls. They audiotaped her murder. She begged Myra for her life. "Take me home to Mummy". The tapes mentally scared the most hardened police officers who heard them. I think they are sealed so no one can hear them again. Keith's Mum begged and pleaded with them until death for them to just tell her where he was buried. Horrific. Myra is always tainted for me.

[SallyWD]

I really love the name Myra. It's beautiful. Such a shame about the association.

[Nnnnnineteen]

I teach one, she is 3.

[Sessy19]

I mentioned it in another thread over Christmas @PrettyAmazingGrace

[GreenDinosaur]

My mum says Mary did fall dramatically out of fashion for a while after Mary Bell even with her not being the most famous Mary. (I'd say the Virgin Mary takes that one)