Myra?

[norrell]

DP's suggestion for planned first child (as yet unconceived).
It is his grandmother's name, objectively I like it but am concerned about the connotations - other members of the family have already expressed reservations.

What do you think?

A friend of mine has a DD whose middle name is Myra. She often calls her [first name]Myra and I wince every time. I don't think you could use a name like that without people forever doing the same thing. Sorry!

Def on par with adolf I'm afraid.

How about Maya instead?

Absolutely never in a billion years. Sorry.

Its a nice name until that evil women runied it!

I dont think any kids would even no who myra hindley is but all adults do.

It will always have that connection :(

I like the name but do think of Hindley too. What a shame. How about Marni?

No no no. It's just such an unusual name that it's always going to be associated with Hindley. Not like Ian, where there are loads of them so it's not Brady/Huntley that you immediately think of.

I'm 22 and it made me think of Hindley. Moira, Maya or Maria, or go for the Lillian option. Maya, Maria or Lillian are nicer names anyway!

Well, another perspective here: I am 50 and one of my best friends at school was called Myra - and that's what came to mind first when I saw your thread. By the time your daughter-to-be grows up, I suspect those connotations will be nowhere near as strong as they are now.

I like it. And at least there won't be 4 others in her class! If you like it use it I think.

It's my mum's name and both she and I agree it's not an attractive name. I know of an online baby Myra who was born in the USA, so probably not the connotations there.

My mum has never had any problems with her name other than everyone calling her MOIRA, which is exceedingly annoying. I'd steer clear.

Hindley

Sorry, HINDLEY

but I like Meryl

Mia? Definitely not Myra

What about myla ?

Hindley. Sorry.

No. Hindley.

Lillian's nice though, I'd definitely be pushing that one if your DP is determined to name a DD after his grandmother.

Yes, but Myra is the name of Jessica Ennis's dog. So I think it's now acceptable!

I have known two Myra's, one I used to work with, and one is a cousin, she also works in a field where your name is all important and she has had no need to change it due to unpleasant connotations - she's older too so of the same generation. I have never known anyone to comment negatively in relation to the two I know.

When you post on here in black and white, it's very magnified, and this is not the same in RL. I honestly feel people would just say what an unusual and pretty name and not make the association.

Plus, we are moving on from generations where Myra H is known, it won't be relevant to the next generation.

Our youngest is a Camilla and my husband was against it because of the Royal connection as she was still very much despised at the time. I loved the name though and was convinced no one would comment and make a connection. I convinced him and was right and he's very happy we went with a name we both loved.

I think once people get to know someone with a notorious name, they start associating the name with that person rather than the "original" person with the bad reputation.

I used to work with teenagers and a couple of years ago I met a boy called Adolf. After the initial minor jolt, I got to know the boy as Adolf and certainly did not associate him with Hitler at all.

Agree with footphobic that real life is different to seeing a notorious name written on a screen in front of you.

My ex-housemate had a Canadian girlfriend called Myra, the first time I picked up the phone it did give me a bit of a jolt, it's just so unusual to hear it used by someone my age.

Given the hundreds of thousands of other names out there, I'd use a different one.

Mary? It's an anagramme of Myra and you and DP would know why you chose it.

I was a Guide leader before I went to uni and one of my guides was called Myra. This was 7 years ago, and she would have been 10, so definitely born when the negative connotations were at a peak. She was a sweet, clever, creative girl with a real offbeat air about her. Tbh, when I first met her I was a bit about the name, but when you actally listen to it, it's a beautiful.sounding name, and it really suited her as it's so unusual.

I think go for it, if you like it. A name only has negative connotations until you get to know the person- I know it's not quite the same, but think of Ursula. That name has become rather popular despite MNers going "ergh, sea witch!". A beautiful nameshould not be ruined by an evil person.

Mary's a lovely name

I think it's a beautiful name. Nobody says not to use Fred or Rose because of the Wests, or Ian because of Ian Brady. I think anyone who knows your DD will think of her and other associations will be forgotten.