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Baby names

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

Original poster

Lyra

37 replies

SpicyTomatos · 11/11/2019 13:56

Is the name likely to become more popular as a result of the BBC's production of His Dark Materials?

I don't mind the association with the book, but I would prefer that everyone doesn't think she is simply named after a TV character.

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NellWilsonsWhiteHair · 12/11/2019 23:23

I thought seriously about calling my DD Lyra. I would’ve described it as naming her after the book character, and I think (two episodes in, and I’m just starting to warm to it) I’d be happy with the BBC adaptation making that a more widely-known reference point. She’s a pretty great person to share a name with, I think.

joystir59 · 12/11/2019 11:24

Prefer Lucy, Lily, Leonora, Lilian, Lucia.

Marcipex · 12/11/2019 11:16

I know a Lyra well and chanting Liar liar pants on fire’ sadly began at nursery age.
So just saying.

AdorableMisfit · 12/11/2019 09:21

How are you pronouncing Lyra to make it sound like liar? My neighbour's daughter is Lyra, pronounced lie-ruh. Liar is surely pronounced lie-uh without an R in the middle?

Original poster
SpicyTomatos · 12/11/2019 09:03

Thanks for all the feedback. It's really useful to hear all the opinions.

OP posts:
Cariaprl · 12/11/2019 09:00

Really naff.

Pieceofpurplesky · 12/11/2019 08:48

I love it. I would use it OP. It's fabulous

Idolovetobebesidethesea · 12/11/2019 08:32

Rocket not tougher

Idolovetobebesidethesea · 12/11/2019 08:32

I think it's a lovely name.
It's a popular book; I'm not sure it will tougher in popularity just because of the TV adaptation.

Marcipex · 12/11/2019 00:52

I think it’s a pretty name and from the constellation the Lyre.
However I don’t think it works very well in English. It unfortunately sounds like Liar.

Itwontrainallthetime · 11/11/2019 20:15

It's also a constallation too, which I think is quite special. I've pointed it out to my daughter and she was fascinated.

Itwontrainallthetime · 11/11/2019 20:11

We named our daughter Lyra and so far only people mostly adults have commented to my DD that they have read the books. Which I had read when I was 13 I have told my daughter about the book so she knows where her name come from . So far no one has mentioned the TV series to us but I think If the TV series becomes quite popular then maybe people will use the name more often. I've been meaning to watch it. Didn't like the film but the books are amazing.
However my daughter is nearly 8 and has no interest in the film , I'm hoping she will read the books one day.

CountFosco · 11/11/2019 20:10

The books have been very popular for a long time, but the TV show will be on for the next 3 years (possibly longer if they then decide to do The Book of Dust trilogy) and that is likely to increase the popularity of the name further. I think long term the association will be with the book rather than the TV though.

missmouse101 · 11/11/2019 20:03

Lyra looks like Lycra so no from me. Also really dislike some people's pronounciation of it as Leera. Awful. As a pp said, Lara is much nicer.

Oneforposy7 · 11/11/2019 19:59

The books have been out for years and there was a previous film adaptation that was huge at the time so I don't see why the BBC adaptation would change much. The obvious difference with game of thrones is they were daft made up names that couldn't have come from anywhere else. Lyra is a beautiful Greek name.

RolytheRhino · 11/11/2019 19:59

Lyra Lyra pants on fire.

No one would actually say it of course. But if I were naming a child that'd put me off. Might not do it for you though, and if not then go for it.

ilovetofu · 11/11/2019 19:59

And love the books so wouldn't worry about the association 🤷‍♀️

ilovetofu · 11/11/2019 19:57

Love it.

NameChange30 · 11/11/2019 19:52

I've always liked the name (loved the books as a child) and I would use it even if it becomes more popular.

FriedasCarLoad · 11/11/2019 19:51

I’m afraid I didn’t know the name until those books became popular. I haven’t read them, but would assume you were fans - sorry!

Omashu · 11/11/2019 19:50

I really don’t like it... it’s a bit whingey and sounds like liar.

Omashu · 11/11/2019 19:49

I think it’s a bit marmite so I don’t think it’ll be overly popular like Ava or Isla etc...

DoraNora · 11/11/2019 19:46

I absolutely love the name (always planned to call my DD Lyra) but there is only one reason anyone picks that name, and that is because they love His Dark Materials.

Lindy2 · 11/11/2019 19:27

I know a Lyra who is about 8. She is named after the character in the book.

It's a lovely name. I believe it means the brightest star.

I guess it will become more popular following the tv series but probably not massively so. The books have been popular for ages and the Golden Compass film has been around for years too without causing a huge surge in popularity.

NoSauce · 11/11/2019 19:21

Weak.