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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Friend has just named their new DD...

106 replies

itsjustnotagoodidea · 21/06/2013 01:57

Myra.

First thought is Hindley as I imagine most people would. Friends are not from UK but live here so may not know the connection. Would you mention it to them before they register the baby? Poor child will have no end of nasty teasing throughout school. It's not the sort of crime that will ever be forgotten.

OP posts:
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jessjessjess · 21/06/2013 10:42

TheDeadlyDonkey because society is more horrified by female murderers and considers them worse. It says a lot about stereotypes that Myra is taboo and Ian is not.

Original poster
itsjustnotagoodidea · 21/06/2013 10:35

Fairyloo Very odd, I wonder if we do! Are you going to say anything? I'm not, I wouldn't know how to broach it.

Myra is an unusual name and that is why it stands out. There are plenty of Ians, Roses and Freds so it's not the same.

OP posts:
Thinkingof4 · 21/06/2013 10:16

I agree with Roooney it's such an unusual name, hence why people quickly think of Hindley. I'm 34 and it was first thing I thought of. Also because of the nature of the crimes, fact she was a woman etc.
Names like Ian, Fred, Rose are common and most people will know a of a few different folk with those names hence less likely to think immediately of the infamous ones

Fairyloo · 21/06/2013 10:13

I think we have same friend!!! Odd

RoooneyMara · 21/06/2013 10:10

Because Myra is a much more unusual name to begin with.

It's like trying to avoid seeing black cars. They are everywhere. Good people and bad people are called Ian, people know loads of Ians. The associations aren't uniquely bad.

Myra is a very uncommon name and for most people the only one they have ever heard of will be Myra Hindley.

I think that is why.

SupermansBigRedPants · 21/06/2013 10:09

I'm 'only' 25 and thought hindley - please mention it to them, poor dd to carry that name :(

MolotovCocktail · 21/06/2013 10:08

Would you advise them against Ian if they'd had a son? Or Fred (West)? Or Rose (West)? Aileen (Wuronos)?

Myra is associated with Hindley because

  1. It's a relatively uncommon name
  2. They committed abhorrent crimes

However, Myra isn't mutually exclusive to Hindley. Your friends haven't named her after Hindley (right?) so I don't know whether you ought to make issue of it. It depends on how good friends you are.

The only name I can think of that is strictly out is Adolf. No-one says 'no' to Joseph (Stalin, Mengele).

TheDeadlyDonkey · 21/06/2013 10:05

I don't understand why (seemingly) there is a taboo around the name Myra, yet not Ian. I know quite a few Ians under the age of thirty.
Also Fred - a few years ago, you couldn't move for little Fred/Freddies, obviously the name wasn't spoiled by Fred West.

There are serial killers with all sorts of names that are still in common use.
Myra is a name, a perfectly good name, with many positive connections. If you are so worried about it, educate yourself and find Myras that can give you positive associations, rather than focusing on one bad 'un.

RoooneyMara · 21/06/2013 10:02

I'd mention it. Gently - before it is registered.

SavoyCabbage · 21/06/2013 10:02

I know two dc called Myra. Once you know a Myra, you associate it with the child you know.

My dds teacher is called Mary Bell.

mameulah · 21/06/2013 09:59

I'm 37 and I didn't make the connection either.

Original poster
itsjustnotagoodidea · 21/06/2013 09:53

I'm 31 I it was the first thing I thought of. I know a couple of other friends that also made the connection straight away and are also wondering if they should say anything. I agree it's none of my business and after reading all the replies, I won't say anything. The friends are not from the UK but live there and their daughter will be growing up there. I do feel sorry for her.

OP posts:
CaptainJamesTKirk · 21/06/2013 08:37

I'm 36 and made the connection... But she's been dead for over 10 years. It's a nice name and people shouldn't be put off using it because of Hindley. Don't mention it, it's none of your business.

gingysmummy · 21/06/2013 08:35

My mil is called Myra i'm not keen on the name but i certainly don't think of myra hindlay when i say her name

FacebookWanker · 21/06/2013 08:32

I'm 41 and I didn't make the connection. I just thought 'nice name'.

Happyasapiginshite · 21/06/2013 08:32

My friend named her son Fred and my instant thought was Fred West but withing very short time, he was just Fred and I never thought about the association again.

magimedi · 21/06/2013 08:32

I am 57 & didn't make the connection at all until I read it.

I think it would be a very difficult thing to say to them.

MrsHerculePoirot · 21/06/2013 08:31

I doubt there will be no end of nasty teasing at school - the children won't have heard of hindley.

Only a handful know who 'princess Diana' is as they were all born after her death - this always surprises me somehow!

mignonette · 21/06/2013 08:30

I know two Myra's and i can honestly say that it had never occurred to me before now. Please don't say anything because if you do and they then choose the name anyway, it may become a bit of an elephant in the room

Fluffycloudland77 · 21/06/2013 08:27

Well, I'm 35 and my first thought was hindley too but it's their choice and we can't be swayed by one bad Myra.

The most prolific baby farm murderer was called Amelia, no one makes the connection now though.

ZenGardener · 21/06/2013 08:26

I actually really like the name Myra. I would consider using it but my married surname goes with practically no names.

Grrrr at DH!

GlaikitFizzog · 21/06/2013 08:22

:o

Chubfuddler · 21/06/2013 08:21

X posted with above.

I agree.

Chubfuddler · 21/06/2013 08:21

TBH it's only marred by association because it is quite an unusual name. It wasn't common before her crimes made it unusable. Therefore it has a connotation Ian simply doesn't have. Ian is a very common name.

GlaikitFizzog · 21/06/2013 08:20

I work with a Myra, she is lovely.

I think because the name is less common than other serial killers it sticks with hindley. But here are loads of Peters freds roses ians that's don't have the association because they are more popular. I would leave it. A quick google by the parents would have brought up hindley I'm sure. So just leave them be, they are obviously in love with the name