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Original poster

Thoughts on Lyra?

85 replies

Livingbysea · 01/10/2024 16:13

Hi everyone,

im due to have a baby girl in 3 weeks and my husband and I still can’t decide on a name!! My first choice was Ada which he has gone off and his faves are Jasmine and Isabelle neither of which I would choose as I know a few of each!

we both like Lyla but he suggested Lyra today and I like it! We are thinking of Lyra Grace Elliot. I haven’t heard the name much and it’s not that common. Anyone have any thoughts on the combo I have put above?

many thanks!

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JimPansy · 06/10/2024 13:57

It didn't increase in popularity between 2022 and 2023
Babies called Lyra in England & Wales since 1996 (darkgreener.com)

Northern Lights came out in 1995, The Golden Compass film came out in 2007, and the His Dark Materials was televised in 2019, which might explain the surge in popularity.

It's a bit close to Myra for my liking.

Lilac90 · 06/10/2024 13:36

Not to my personal taste as it makes me think of Lycra but it seems to have grown lots in popularity recently so a lot of people must love it, so sure there wouldn't be any issues using it.

If name popularity bothers you, you may want to reconsider as it is a top 100 name and growing in recent years, same with Grace as a middle name being extremely popular! You are likely to come across others with the same name, some people are fine with that and like it but just something to consider.

tootsierubs · 04/10/2024 18:32

It popped into your heads for a reason! Use it, it's beautiful.

JimPansy · 04/10/2024 18:31

@reddingweddy , it doesn't matter what the middle name is, they're rarely used. How many people do you refer to by their full name?

reddingweddy · 04/10/2024 15:41

I like Lyra but agree you need a different middle name - one that ends in a consonant so you don't get the Rerelliot!

Perhaps Lyra Jane Elliot?

JaninaDuszejko · 04/10/2024 15:22

The Lyra in Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials is called that because it sounds a bit like liar and the character is very good at lying. She's a fab character, and only lies for good reasons, but that may be a consideration. It is a very pretty name though and I don't see the problem pairing with your surname but I suspect it may be an accent issue for some people.

Mugcake · 04/10/2024 14:58

It's lovely, it's popular but if that doesn't bother you go for it! My neice is lyra and she's 18 now and she loves her name

sadeightiesthrowback · 03/10/2024 12:24

If you both like the names you chose, then that's what you choose, fun though it is to have a debate over it on here.
If it bothers you that pp have slammed Grace as too often used, there are plenty of one syllable names to choose from.
How often are middle names used anyway?
Unless Lyra chooses it professionally some day?
Lyra is likely not going to be shortened and is easy for to spell and pronounce.
The best reason for choosing Lyra is that you love the name!

Apollo365 · 03/10/2024 09:48

fashionqueen0123 · 02/10/2024 12:40

Sorry but it’s just like Lycra to me.
I think Lila would be nicer.

problem is, if you suggest Lila as a name someone will come along and say it sounds like Lilo 🤣

samedifferent · 02/10/2024 12:48

Babyshambles90 · 01/10/2024 16:44

Makes me think of the Philip Pullman character, she was called Lyra. Really pretty name.

This is my take as well.
But I don't think it is nearly such a strong identification as Hermione.

fashionqueen0123 · 02/10/2024 12:40

Sorry but it’s just like Lycra to me.
I think Lila would be nicer.

Apollo365 · 02/10/2024 12:34

StressedQueen · 01/10/2024 17:03

Really, really gorgeous and I love it - one of my favourite names! I always think of the character in His Dark Materials who is fantastic

This!!!

JimPansy · 02/10/2024 12:34

Alongthepineconetrail · 02/10/2024 06:57

Anna Grace Elliott
Lena Grace Elliott
Zara Grace Elliott
Zinnia Grace Elliott
Sara Grace Elliott
Claudia Grace Elliott
Poppy Grace Elliott

Ignore the middle name, and all but one of those will be -a Relliott.

MoralOrLegal · 02/10/2024 12:11

I only know it from Philip Pullman!

BootballJoy · 02/10/2024 12:09

Lyra is a nice name, great Dark Materials connection. But I don't think a name ending in 'a' goes with Elliott.

Jasmine works well. Or a name ending in 'ie' like Sophie or Mary. Or Grace as a first name.

sel2223 · 02/10/2024 12:07

I just see Lycra, sorry

Or a misspelled Lyla/Layla

Cas112 · 02/10/2024 07:34

I just think of lycra

MonsieurBlobby · 02/10/2024 07:25

(I wanted to use it because of His Dark Materials, DH wasn't keen, am relieved because one of my closest mum friends also used it!) But don't actually know that many others.

whathashapoenednow · 02/10/2024 07:24

I like it but it is popular at the moment and I don't like the nickname lie

MonsieurBlobby · 02/10/2024 07:23

I love it, I know a couple but it's not super common.

exhaustedmum24 · 02/10/2024 07:22

SometimesCalmPerson · 01/10/2024 16:41

It’s lovely but makes me think of Lycra.

This

Chipsintheair · 02/10/2024 07:21

Lyra is very popular due to His Dark Materials. I like it.

Ruby is also from Phillip Pullman and goes well with Grace Elliot.

Wrongsideofpennines · 02/10/2024 07:18

I first heard it when that journalist Lyra McKee was shot by the IRA in Londonderry a few years ago. Her name was pronounced Leer-ah. Unfortunately that's all I think of when I hear it. And I've heard it quite a few times since for babies.

BoleynMemories13 · 02/10/2024 07:10

If you love it, that's all that matters. However, I just wanted to point out that Lyra is one of the fastest rising names out there right now. Since Ed Sheeran and his wife used it, it has rocketed out of nowhere up into the top 100. That's not necessarily a problem, I just wanted to make you aware that, even if you've not come across any yet, there are definitely lots out there (contrary to your belief in your opening comment). Not sure if that will change your opinion?

It's happens so often with rising trend names. People actively pick it because they think it's not that popular, only to find it most definitely is among their child's age group.

BiggerBoat1 · 02/10/2024 07:06

Love it!!!!