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Baby names

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

Original poster

Is Lyra May a good girls name?

35 replies

redheadbedhead · 22/07/2011 19:34

I just spotted Lyra on another thread, and it suddenly reminded me of the Philip Pullman books....and I thought...is that such a crazy name...? We are having difficulties choosing a girls name, (May as the second name is a given, but the first name is causing probs) and in my hormonal state this is seeming quite nice....

what you all think?

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PipFEH · 22/07/2011 19:39

Yes! I think it's lovely!

Lotkinsgonecurly · 22/07/2011 19:41

I 've just read it as Lycra may, and thought what does Lycra do! But lyra's very pretty

Original poster
redheadbedhead · 22/07/2011 19:44

lotkins Grin didn't think of that, people might read it is as lycra!!! hmm...

thanks Pip!

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GirlWithTheMouseyHair · 22/07/2011 19:47

I love it, both Lyra on its own and May as a middle name with it. Lyra would be very high on our girls list if it didn't make it sound like a hooker with our surname!

Original poster
redheadbedhead · 22/07/2011 19:49

Grin yeah surnames are a problem aren't they!! I always wanted Florence May but my OH is called Lawrence.... and you really can't have Lawrence and Florence....

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HairyButtMonkey · 22/07/2011 19:50

No sorry Grin

GirlWithTheMouseyHair · 22/07/2011 19:51

mine is worse than most - that or I have a pechant for L names which all sound ridiculous with our surname!!

love your username btw, hoping our girl will be a redhead

EssentialFattyAcid · 22/07/2011 19:53

Lyra is nice but May is too common a middle name

GastonTheLadybird · 22/07/2011 19:55

Agree, I like Lyra but I think having May as the middle name makes it sound a bit passe tbh. If you have to have May as a middle name I would rethink.

Original poster
redheadbedhead · 22/07/2011 19:55

thanks mousey Grin i hated being a ginge as a kid, but as an adult it hasnt done me any harm Smile

essential May is a family name passed to all the girls, and it's part of my name, and i love it... so its staying Smile

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Original poster
redheadbedhead · 22/07/2011 19:56

is it passe nowadays??? blimey. i don't know anyone with that middle name apart from myself!

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Original poster
redheadbedhead · 22/07/2011 19:59

I guess the other alternative is a double-barreled first name, Lyra-May. Or is that too much like the Waltons? I think I prefer it separated....

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plonker · 22/07/2011 20:04

No, it's a naughty girls name.

(Sorry, bad joke I know, but I couldn't resist Wink )

YouWithTheFace · 22/07/2011 20:05

Lyra May Lawrence sounds lovely, I think :) I don't know any Mays, but I suspect it'll start coming into fashion again now that Maisies and Mabels are popping up everywhere.

minicorrect · 22/07/2011 20:10

Might have been my thread you saw and I love Lyra - also from the Pullman trilogy. And I think it sounds lovely with May. Even DP agrees and can't be persuaded on Lyra!

Original poster
redheadbedhead · 22/07/2011 20:11

thanks youwiththeface but I meant my husbands first name is Lawrence!Blush sorry I wasn't clear!!

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Original poster
redheadbedhead · 22/07/2011 20:13

and I LOVE LOVE LOVE Mabel, but with May as a second name it was never going to happen! kind of the same with Matilda too...

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Original poster
redheadbedhead · 22/07/2011 20:17

minicorrect just texted my DH the name as an idea and he's not retching or anything, so I may be on to a winner! Wink yay!

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bebejones · 22/07/2011 20:18

I know a 2 year old Lyra & she is the most adorable little girl. I think the name is beautiful & sounds really nice with May (although I do know lots of little girls with May/Mae as a middle name, but as a middle name that's not really a problem). :)

mamaGool · 22/07/2011 20:20

I love Lyra, but i don't think you should use it because I want to keep it for my as yet unconceived daughter I fear it could be VERY popular in a few years time...

yomellamoHelly · 22/07/2011 20:22

Love Lyra. But doesn't go with May. You need 2 syllables or more I think.

Original poster
redheadbedhead · 22/07/2011 20:26

Grin mamagool love your post!!

yomellomo our surname is 2 syllables as well, so I think that would be 2-syllable-overkill.... but thanks for the suggestion!

Interesting that you know a Lyra bebe - I wonder how many there are out there....? will have a look at popular names lists.... like the idea of having a slightly unusual name and not one that everyone else has Smile

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Pelvicflooragogo · 22/07/2011 21:54

Love it! Considered Lyra and May for ours. Went with Ivy Tabitha!

pestroid · 22/07/2011 22:27

Lyra is to close to Myra imo

wrigglerstea · 22/07/2011 22:48

I think it is absolutely lovely and the stresses go just right that have 2 syllables. And it doesn't even slightly relate to Myra.