Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Myra?

92 replies

MittensForKittens123 · 26/05/2022 12:05

DH and I both like the name Myra, but we are worried about the association with Myra Hindley, do you think it is possible to use it?
Or should we think about Mayra instead?

As an aside, I really like Lyra, but DH says it makes him think of Lycra… 🙄

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
ElenaSt · 27/05/2022 03:26

Mariah.

Topseyt123 · 27/05/2022 03:15

No. Still strongly associated with Myra Hindley and will be for many years yet.

Luredbyapomegranate · 27/05/2022 02:36

Nope toxic.

Marina nn Marnie, Marianne, Maria nn Mina, Melinda, Melissa, Maryam.. there are many options that don’t involve the UKs most notorious female serial killer.

I like Lyra, but there are a billion Lyra/Lila/Lina/Lila/Leah/Lola/Lara/Leila/Luna type names so I’d avoid that

CandyLeBonBon · 26/05/2022 23:19

It's my mum's name!

Luxa · 26/05/2022 23:18

No.

CoffeeBeansGalore · 26/05/2022 21:53

Sorry no. How about:

Mariah
Maria
Maris
Marissa
Melissa
Melinda
Lara
Clara
Cara
Mia
Zara
Zoe

PaintingClocks · 26/05/2022 21:50

I love the name but the association just isn’t great. I think it will probably be okay to use when our kids have grandkids

Neu · 26/05/2022 21:49

I actually know the most amazing gorgeous lovely person called Myra but I would not call a baby it too many connotations

candyflossxox · 26/05/2022 21:47

I thought of Myra McQueen...

Comedycook · 26/05/2022 21:21

No way. It's a shame as it is actually a nice name, unfortunately the connotations are too awful.

Windbeneathmybingowings · 26/05/2022 21:19

Haha! I love Cher but the point is people recognisable by just their first names are famous for a reason. I’m sure any parent would rather it be for sitting on a canon in fishnets and a leotard, than for Myra’s reason…

PurpleFlower1983 · 26/05/2022 21:12

No way.

withacherryonthetop · 26/05/2022 20:48

Def not.

maybe Maia (my-a) or Mair (my-r) or Mara

suckingonchillidogs · 26/05/2022 20:43

Windbeneathmybingowings · 26/05/2022 19:59

It’s not like Rose or Ted though is it.

it’s more like Attila or Adolf or Genghis or Rasputin or Cher.

I love how Cher snuck into that list

autienotnaughty · 26/05/2022 20:37

No

PoemBeatrice · 26/05/2022 20:27

How about Mira pronounced Meera? What about Kyra?

newbiename · 26/05/2022 20:19

Hindley

Windbeneathmybingowings · 26/05/2022 20:01

Nobody else who knows my Myra has ever mentioned it for example.

they’ve become acclimatised to the child murderer association, I bet new people raise an eyebrow all the time.

additionally it limits hairdos for the kid.

MsFogi · 26/05/2022 20:01

No - I think it will not be a useable name for at least another generation.

bigbootyjulie · 26/05/2022 19:59

Out of all the names you could possibly use... Why that one? Ask yourself honestly, would you want your own name to be Myra? Most people are going to think of Myra Hindley because she is the only Myra who is familiar to the public (I can't think of any others). It's not like Rose or Fred, where there are a lot of positive or neutral associations to balance out the negative one.

Windbeneathmybingowings · 26/05/2022 19:59

It’s not like Rose or Ted though is it.

it’s more like Attila or Adolf or Genghis or Rasputin or Cher.

DorritLittle · 26/05/2022 19:57

Sure, I am just pointing out to the OP that it is a name used in real life without the drama implied here. Nobody else who knows my Myra has ever mentioned it for example.

MassiveSalad22 · 26/05/2022 19:57

People will ‘😮😮😮 oh!! How unusual!……. !!’ Every time you introduce her.

AllPlayedOut · 26/05/2022 19:52

I know a really lovely Myra. Never once since I met her have I thought 'Myra Hindley' when saying her name.

I think most people would think it though, judging by this and many other threads on the name.

AllPlayedOut · 26/05/2022 19:50

The Hindley association is probably even less likely to go away now considering that true crime podcasts, forums and books are so incredibly popular.