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Baby names

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Original poster

Myra?

312 replies

theinterest · 11/10/2025 14:24

My DH and I thought we were settled on the name Myra for our baby due later this year, but having been settled on this for several months I’m not sure how others will view it? Neither of us are into crime type media, early 30s, and live in the south of England so somehow managed to miss the connection to Myra Hindley until now. My DH is still completely set on it, but I worry now what others will think (blame the hormones). Lyra isn’t an option for us due to a close friends baby being called that earlier this year.

I’m really after view in what you all think? I love the name but now doubting if it’s the right thing to use!

OP posts:
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BatchCookBabe · 11/10/2025 16:09

No.

As has been said, as soon as I see that name I think 'Hindley.' And I wasn't even born when the Moors Murders happened.

TriesNotToBeCynical · 11/10/2025 16:08

WallaceinAnderland · 11/10/2025 14:27

Twin brothers called Hitler and Judas?

There are some names that you just can't use

Or Cain and Abel?

TheGander · 11/10/2025 16:08

WallaceinAnderland · 11/10/2025 14:27

Twin brothers called Hitler and Judas?

There are some names that you just can't use

Or maybe Adolf and Vladimir?

ChickpeaCauliflowerSalad · 11/10/2025 16:06

RafaFan · 11/10/2025 15:26

Yes, Ian is still quite a common boy's name, especially in Scotland.

Maybe it's time to reclaim the name Myra. In itself there is nothing wrong with it. The OP could choose an entirely different name, then have it become associated with some evil event in the future, but it would still have nothing to do with her child.

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If you think the name should be reclaimed, you can change yours by deed poll. Don't put it on others to do it.

SunMootStars · 11/10/2025 16:05

I’m not in the UK and immediately thought of Hindley. I wouldn’t give that name to a baby girl due to the awful association.
People may not say it to your face, but I can imagine the conversations behind closed doors… “They called the baby what? As in Hindley??!”

PaddingtonBlah · 11/10/2025 16:05

No

A) Myra Hindley - I'm not a true crime obsessive nor am I that old but the link is unshakeable for a good generation yet I'd say

B) It's basically the same at Lyra. Either just use Lyra if you love it, or go more different. But avoiding Lyra and going with Myra sounds a bit mad.

EnoBaby · 11/10/2025 16:05

My daughter's name is Mira and is often pronounced as Myra. I used to think, "Why the hell would I have called her Myra?" whenever someone made the mistake, until a young mum (i.e. not an old 1980s-born bag like me) revealed she had no knowledge of Myra Hindley. This will increasingly become the case as the years tick by so, if you like Myra, use it.
Yes, Hindley's crime were utterly abhorrent and her victims' memories should be kept alive, but she wasn't a historic geo-political figure so it stands to reason that she won't remain in the public consciousness.

melodypondisasuperhero · 11/10/2025 16:05

My name is spelled with an i but pronounced the same way, now I’m wondering if people think of serial killers when they meet me 😳

AnneShirleyBlythe · 11/10/2025 16:03

NerrSnerr · 11/10/2025 14:27

Myra Hindley is one of the most prolific serial killers in the UK. It won’t just be people who are into true crime who know her. Unfortunately because the name is rare people will always think of Hindley.

And it’s precisely because of Hindley the name is so rare now.

ChickpeaCauliflowerSalad · 11/10/2025 15:59

Dollymylove · 11/10/2025 15:58

No please not Myra. It may be 60 years ago but it hasnt been forgotten. Another PP mentioned Lyra, similar yet completely different and a lovely name imho

Did you not even read her post??

Lyra isn’t an option for us due to a close friends baby being called that earlier this year

ChickpeaCauliflowerSalad · 11/10/2025 15:58

TeaRoseTallulah · 11/10/2025 15:03

It's a lovely name, I always think of a lovely health visitor I knew who was called Myra.

I misread that as 'Heath' visitor 😵‍💫

Dollymylove · 11/10/2025 15:58

No please not Myra. It may be 60 years ago but it hasnt been forgotten. Another PP mentioned Lyra, similar yet completely different and a lovely name imho

SapphireSeptember · 11/10/2025 15:58

@theinterest Well I must be strange because I thought of Myra Murray (a character from the Anne of Green Gables series.)

Moveoverdarlin · 11/10/2025 15:57

I know 2 Myras. One is Hindley. The other is a resident in my Grandfathers nursing home and she’s just turned 105.

It wouldn’t be one for me that’s for sure.

Nanny0gg · 11/10/2025 15:57

Algen · 11/10/2025 14:34

I think it’s a pretty name and personally wouldn’t immediately associate it with Myra Hindley (I’m more likely to think of the folk song). However, as seen from this thread a lot of people still have that association - I’d actually be interested to know the age range of people responding, as I really don’t know if it’s one of those names that would always be an issue or one of those names where her peers would have no clue. (I’m mid 40s, so Myra Hindley was really before my time and not local to me anyway, so perhaps not as much impact.)

I'm old so it's my era and it is the first thing I thought of

ChickpeaCauliflowerSalad · 11/10/2025 15:56

theinterest · 11/10/2025 14:58

Thanks everyone, looks like we need to go back to the drawing board! Is been helpful to test with you all as we don’t want to share the name in advance with family and friends

Yeah, sorry, but you do.

Millions of names, you'll find another you love that doesn't have nasty associations.

🌷

what else did you both like, but not love. So we have a better idea of the type of name you like.

i don't like it myself (due to a specific person) but objectively Moira is fairly close & a nice name.

Ilovemyshed · 11/10/2025 15:56

Absolutely not.

diddl · 11/10/2025 15:55

Louisetopaz21 · 11/10/2025 15:26

I wouldn't but Maria is a lovely name

That's a matter of opinion isn't it?

I'd choose Myra over Maria!

Mikart · 11/10/2025 15:54

Awful

Algen · 11/10/2025 15:54

Anewuser · 11/10/2025 15:48

This makes you sounds slightly uneducated.

I wasn’t around during the Second World War, but have heard of Hitler.

OP, what about Isla?

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I didn’t say I hadn’t heard of her and no need for the personal criticism.

I said it wasn’t my immediate association. And I wondered if my age / location was a reason I was having a different reaction to most of the horrified people on the thread.

Strangesally20 · 11/10/2025 15:52

Sorry Op but I Hindley is the first thing that comes to my mind when I hear Myra. Although I’m not quite sure why, I don’t automatically think of west when I hear Rose. Perhaps it’s because Myra isn’t a particularly common name and there isn’t really any other well known Myra’s in public life and the only well known person called Myra is unfortunately Myra Hindley.

Instructions · 11/10/2025 15:51

Anewuser · 11/10/2025 15:48

This makes you sounds slightly uneducated.

I wasn’t around during the Second World War, but have heard of Hitler.

OP, what about Isla?

Show quote history

I really don't think Hitler and Hindley are equal in terms of name recognition 🙄

Illbefinejustbloodyfine · 11/10/2025 15:51

We were talking about thus only last week, how you just wouldn't use certain names, such as Myra, because its sn unusual name to start with it stands out abd us synonymous with Myra Hindley. Rose (West) is still commonly used as its not an unusual name i imagine.

PrivateMusic · 11/10/2025 15:51

Don’t do it to her, op. That name will be infamous forever.

TheBirdintheCave · 11/10/2025 15:49

I don’t see the issue personally? OP isn’t naming her daughter after the murderer.

Myra is ranked 377 in the UK at the moment so you’re certainly not alone in liking the name, OP! 114 were born in 2024.

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