Mira

[almosttherenow]

Is Mira (pronounced Meer-ra) too close to Mila (pronounced Mil-la)? They will be cousins (not siblings), just gathering opinions before we contemplate asking SIL!

[Fliptophead]

People are so odd about baby names. Myra and two differently pronounced and spelled names.

Have you ever actually been introduced to a man called 'Ian Smith" for example and then thrown yourself back in disgust and fear and whispered Ian Brady under your breath? NO?

Millions of people have different names and unless it's very unusual you don't actually make those connections in real life. If it were me OP I'd be more concerned about people pronouncing it wrong as everyone on this seems to have done.

[Fliptophead]

*Myra and Mira are two differently pronounced and spelled names.

(Like Mila and Mira btw which I wouldn't even worry about. )

[FresasAndFrambuesas]

Possibly not a consideration from Australia, but it means 'Look!' (as an instruction) or 'he/she/it looks' in Spanish, not a terrible connotation just a very day yo day word.

[bingolittle]

Lovely name.

Never would have thought of associating it with Myra (Hindley or otherwise), and I was born in the early 70s.

Not too similar to Mila, in my opinion, especially given the pronunciation. And even if it was, everyone would get round it. In lots of families (especially in the past) there might be several people with identical names. Look at George Bush and George W Bush (perhaps not the greatest example, but you know what I mean!).

Mira is the main character in The Women's Room, by Marilyn French - a feminist novel. I assume it's meant to hold a "mirror" up to a lot of women's experiences.

[KoalaDownUnder]

I'm not sure about Mira and Mila being very different-sounding.

Aren't they've identical except for one sound? MEE-ra and MEE-la?

[HalfCarrot]

It's lovely, wouldn't think of Myra, and it's pronounced differently from Mila which has more of an ee in my accent.

[MackerelOfFact]

It's pretty but I think it would be mispronounced Mirror or Myra a lot. Amira is nice though, with Mira for short?

[chainedtothedesk]

Agree with others - I would have thought it was pronounced My-ra.

Wouldn't worry it is too similar to cousin's name. If you like it, use it.

[sycamore54321]

Will both cousins have the same surname? If so, then yes it is too close to use of spelled like that.

With your spelling, I would pronounce it mirr-ah, with a short I. To guarantee Meera, I think you'd have to spell it that way.

[villainousbroodmare]

I think it's absolutely lovely and am surprised at all the negative reactions. I would instinctively pronounce it MEEra but much prefer your spelling. I think it's too close to Mila for a sibling but not for a cousin. While I'm aware of Hindley and the showers, neither would have come to mind.
I say lovely, go for it!

[Pemba]

Eh? It's a completely different name from Myra. It's rather pretty.

Ignore the hysterical comments OP. And like pps say, parents didn't stop naming their sons Ian, did they? (Because of Ian Brady and Ian Huntley)

I would hope that Myra itself would come back into use one day. She's not the only person with that name.

[stuckinthehouse]

I also thought Myra Hindley

[LadyB49]

First thing came to me was Myra Hindley. I wouldn't take a chance naming a child Mira (Myra). In case of teasing/bullying.

Meerah is beautiful.

[Pemba]

But it's pronounced Meera, obviously. Different name.

I don't think teasing and bullying will happen as many younger people have not even heard of Myra Hindley anyway - (as evidenced in a previous post from a 21-year-old). I suppose the memory of her is gradually becoming historical, which is probably a good thing.

[ohhbother]

*Pemba
*
I'd assume most 21 year olds would know who she is.
I do and so do all my friends

[MikeUniformMike]

It's a shower.

[mammmamia]

I actually know a 7 yo Myra!