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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!

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caringcarer · 11/10/2025 15:48

KitchenDancefloor · 11/10/2025 14:25

No.
You may have missed the Myra Hindley connection, no one else will.

This. The first thing that popped into my head was 'Hindley'. Others will think the same.

CosyDenimShark · 11/10/2025 15:48

Reminds me straight away of Hindley, sorry. Mya, Maya, Anya, Myla are all similar and cute too.

Anewuser · 11/10/2025 15:48

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.)

This makes you sounds slightly uneducated.

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

OP, what about Isla?

AcquadiP · 11/10/2025 15:47

Amazed you've never of Hindley - probably the most detested woman in Britain in the last century. No way would I burden a child with that name.

Instructions · 11/10/2025 15:46

I thought of Hindley immediately. I don't know if younger people would make the same connection though.

PevenseygirlQQ · 11/10/2025 15:46

What about Mayra (may-ruh) spelling and pronounce (mayruh) slightly similar but not Myra

Theres also Myla, Moira, Kyra, Maya?

BustyLaRoux · 11/10/2025 15:45

Also my niece has a friend called Myra. Parents aren’t English. No one bats an eyelid. My old next door neighbour was also a Myra. Again, a non event.

xSideshowAuntSallyXx · 11/10/2025 15:45

I thought of Myra McQueen from Hollyoaks before Myra Hindley came into my head. Hindley wasn't even the first Myra on Google.

JulyDaisyChains · 11/10/2025 15:45

I honestly wouldn't and I'm Irish and got the awful Hindley connection immediately.. Sorry OP, I know what it's like being pregnant and very attached to a particular name! 'Moira' is an Irish name meaning Mary but might work instead?

Breakfastpotatoes · 11/10/2025 15:44

My immediate thought was absolutely not because of Myra Hindley. Then I remembered my DD has a friend called Myra and I've never before now thought about the connection there. If you go for it, I'm not sure people will connect your toddler, child, teenager to Hindley. She'll just be herself.

BustyLaRoux · 11/10/2025 15:44

I also associate it with Hindley, sorry. However my kids (teens) would have no idea who MH was. I doubt they’ve ever heard of her. Similarly people in my team at work in their late twenties, I would also bet have never heard the name in that context. The demographic on here tends to be older. People of my generation (I’m 48), so perhaps it’s time to start using the name again. It’s a pretty name. If you really like it and don’t mind people ( people my age or older) raising an eyebrow then go for it. Eventually no one will care.

Judellie · 11/10/2025 15:44

No, sorry. What about Maria?

JillyJoy · 11/10/2025 15:43

Could MOIRA be acceptable?

PrincessFiorimonde · 11/10/2025 15:42

DappledThings · 11/10/2025 15:20

It's already been massively rehabilitated. Since 1996 it has climbed from 2096th to 377th in the rankings of names used. There were 114 newborn Myras registered in 2024. That's not a name that is as completely associated with one person as it used to be.

I'm really surprised to read this!

Like @IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle, the other Myra I've come across is the pianist Myra Hess. Even so, on seeing the thread title I thought first of Hindley.

Sez1990 · 11/10/2025 15:42

What about Mya (or the various other spellings?).

Spidey66 · 11/10/2025 15:42

No, because of the Hindley association.

It's strange how other names of serial murderers are not immediately associated with them as much as Hindley. While Ian isn't a common name for babies, it's because it's seen as old fashioned, not because of Brady. Fred(die), Rose, Lucy, etc are not immediately associated with West and Letby. Maybe because it's an unusual name to start with so people don't know anyone else with the name?

Christwosheds · 11/10/2025 15:33

I agree it’s a no. Too terrible an association.
Myla, Marnie, Mila, Miriam, Mimi, Maura ?

icouldholditwithacobweb · 11/10/2025 15:33

Mmm, Myra Hindley is the immediate association I made. I'd be wondering what the parents were thinking if I came across a child named Myra and would think it was pretty unfortunate for the child, in all honesty.

pilates · 11/10/2025 15:32

Yes, sorry, first thing came into my head was Hindley.

Poodledoodley · 11/10/2025 15:29

Perhaps Kyra or Kyla?

ZoeCM · 11/10/2025 15:27

eggandonion · 11/10/2025 14:47

Ian is still used though. What about Mary?

Ian was already a more common name than Myra when they arrested, so the association has never been as strong. If Myra had been called Jane or Anne Hindley, neither of those names would have ended up being stigmatised.

OP, you really shouldn't do this to your daughter. I'm in my thirties, hadn't even heard of Myra Hindley until she died, and she was still the first thing I thought of when I saw this thread. It's really not fair to put this on a child. You say your husband is still set on it - he's not the one who'll have to go through life with a name people associate with a serial child killer, is he? He needs to put his daughter first.

morebutterthantoast · 11/10/2025 15:27

Also puts me in mind of showers, OP.

How about Myrna instead? as in the queen of Hollywood: Myrna Loy.

Louisetopaz21 · 11/10/2025 15:26

I wouldn't but Maria is a lovely name

IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle · 11/10/2025 15:26

JuvenileBigfoot · 11/10/2025 15:18

No.
But i can't really understand why since Rose is still OK. As is Fred and Peter.

How many people, either in your own real life or celebrities do you know who are called Rose, Fred or Peter?

And how many Myras ?

RafaFan · 11/10/2025 15:26

BoredZelda · 11/10/2025 15:00

Are there many baby Ian’s?

Show quote history

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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