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
DorritLittle · 26/05/2022 19:50

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

MsTSwift · 26/05/2022 19:49

Both my dds had a strong positive woman with their name (one a famous writer one a figure connected with politics and history). Look who your daughter would have 🙄😲

KittensWearingWoollyMittens · 26/05/2022 19:49

Yikes!!

cottagegardenflower · 26/05/2022 19:47

and it won't ever sink into the background as a new generation comes along. Its associated with an unbelievably dreadful crime.

cottagegardenflower · 26/05/2022 19:46

I think it will always be a toxic name. no.

GeorgesMarvelousCalpol · 26/05/2022 19:44

No, no, no, nope-ity, no!
Moira is a good alternative.

AllPlayedOut · 26/05/2022 19:43

Going against the grain...thinking of other notorious murderers.. Ted (Bundy) is a popular name.. Rose (west) is still used...

Someone always brings Rose West and other killers into this when anyone asks about the name Myra, but those names don't stand out because they're so common. People have many other associations with them but Myra wasn't an especially common name so there are few other associations to temper the Hindley connection.

Mammyloveswine · 26/05/2022 19:41

Going against the grain...thinking of other notorious murderers.. Ted (Bundy) is a popular name.. Rose (west) is still used...

I think the younger generation won't associate and certainly won't be negative!

I wouldn't automatically think "hindley".., I may think "Myra..that name is familiar.." and then twig why!

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 26/05/2022 16:57

Moira, Mara, Margaret (lots of nn possibilities there) or Mary?

NOT Myra. NOT EVER. There are literally thousands of names to choose from, you must be able to find something else you like...

TrashyPanda · 26/05/2022 16:44

Another one thinks the association is too strong

AllPlayedOut · 26/05/2022 15:27

No, just no. The association is far too strong.

calmlakes · 26/05/2022 14:15

It really isn't useable.

Mary, Maya, Mia etc would all be possible.
Marni, Marina or Mercedes would be more unusual M choices.

TempsPerdu · 26/05/2022 14:14

No, sorry OP - I think Myra will be one of a very few names that will never be rehabilitated. The one woman association is just too strong.

There are lots of similar sounding names that are very useable though - Myla, Lyla, Lyra, Lara etc. Personally I love Mara, which is a lot less common than most of the others.

AmberLynn1536 · 26/05/2022 14:07

Myra Hindley will be notorious forever, it’s not a crime that will be forgotten it’s enmeshed in the British psyche, you only have to switch on your tv and you can guarantee there will be some real crime programme about the moors murders. It’s a horrible name with horrible connotations.

JemimaTiggywinkle · 26/05/2022 13:59

There have been quite a few threads on this - might be worth searching and looking at all the other answers too.
Consensus has always been the association is too strong. It’s a shame because I think it’s a really nice name.

what about Cora?

Enko · 26/05/2022 13:57

I think its a lovely name but yes Hindley will be mentioned. However, after a while, people become used to it and the association becomes her.

Imissmoominmama · 26/05/2022 12:38

No.

Princessoftheuniverse · 26/05/2022 12:37

Just NO!

spiderlight · 26/05/2022 12:37

Nope. Sorry. Lara?

onlywork55 · 26/05/2022 12:34

No, sorry I immediately thought of Myra Hindley ☹️

Maia, Maya, Mia, Mara, Maria, Lyra are all nice in my opinion.

Hummingbirdcake · 26/05/2022 12:32

No. Lyra or Maya, please.

welshpolarbear · 26/05/2022 12:31

Hindley

TheYearOfSmallThings · 26/05/2022 12:29

Mira, Mara, Máire, Maria...

TheYearOfSmallThings · 26/05/2022 12:29

Myra Hindley.

There's

Strugglingtodomybest · 26/05/2022 12:28

Have you chosen it to match with her brother Adolf?

Swipe left for the next trending thread