Myra

[JasonsJohn]

My partner and I are expecting a baby girl and we both like the name Myra. She would be named after my grandmother. My mother also used to listen to Myra Hess.

However, will the name cause some negative comments by older folk because of Myra Hindley who with her partner Ian Brady carried out the Moors Murders in the 1960s?

Myra was a common name in the UK years ago, but after 1966 when Hindley was convicted the popularity of it rapidly declined.

“In the early hours of the morning, Nellie gave birth to a healthy daughter whom she called Myra, a name that had been popular since the mid nineteenth century. A hundred years after it came into common usage, ‘Myra’ fell into sharp obscurity, a phenomenon entirely due to the deeds of the girl born that stifling night in the red-brick Victorian building in north Manchester.”

Carol Ann Lee, One of Your Own: The Life and Death of Myra Hindley

Mumsnet was mentioned in another book about the name Myra.

“A telling example of the vehemence and longevity public hatred of Myra Hindley is the following: the girl’s name “Myra,” relatively common in England prior to 1966, declined sharply in popularity thereafter. Such is the continuing infamy associated with the case that in 2008, on the well-known website for parents www.mumsnet.com, a thread was devoted to the topic: “I love the name Myra but does it have too many negative connotations?” The majority of the 75 responses said that the name was still too intimately linked to Hindley to be an appropriate choice for a new baby.”

Lisa Downing, The Subject of Murder: Gender, Exceptionality, and the Modern Killer, page 217.

There are few other lesser known Myras. Samantha Fox’s former partner was named Myra, Gok Wan’s mother is named Myra, etc. There’s also a Myra in Hollyoaks.

Although Myra was a common name prior to the 1960s, because there weren’t many famous people with the name, after Hindley gained press attention and was convicted, the name became associated with her which is why fewer babies were named Myra after the 1960s.

But it’s now the 2020s and we both love the sound of the name and it’s a name that has a family connection.

What does everyone think?

Its not a very nice sounding name anyway and with the connection it has I wouldnt use it.

Just asked DS, 17. He knew who Myra Hindley was. Apparently they did something about it at school once

I'd immediately think Hindley and remember that picture of her.

How about adjusting the name to something similar but different

Mara, Moura. Meera, Maya.

It’s a nice name but unfortunately no I couldn’t do it, I’m early 30s and I would definitely immediately think hindley

I am learning Swedish on Duolingo so think 'Ant'.

Having said that I do know a really lovely Myra.

It's always going to be associated with Hindley. It's the first thing I think. Almost like "Fish and Chips", "Salt and Pepper", "Adolf...Hitler". Myra Hindley. It's one of the only unusable names. I was born decades after the Moors Murders. I worked in a high school up to 2016, the kids were still talking about Hindley and Brady as there were developments in the news about the body of Keith Bennett and trying to force Brady to locate in again. Even non-British teenage members of my family know about her.

I love Mya or Maya though. It's only the R thats missing.

Yes I do think of Myra Hindley. But.....it's also a very sweet name. If you really love it, use it! People will forget and just see your daughter and associate the name with her

I would immediately think Hindley too I’m afraid…early 30s here.

Maura, Moira or Lyra are similar sounding names that might work.

The name makes me shudder slightly if I'm being honest. I can see her mugshot now. But even without that connection I don't think it's a nice name.

But you like the name and have a familial link so it's different I suppose.

I wouldn't ever mention Myra Hindley if introduced to a Myra, what a conversation killer that would be! But I'd certainly be reminded of her.

I used to work with a Myra. I never thought Hindley (and I did know who she was...)

I had "Myra" on my short list for DD but decided against it due to the Myra Hindley connection.

It is a beautiful name though.

I know a Mayra. Pronounced the same but as the spelling is different I don't think the connotation is nearly as strong. I know her professionally and saw it written before meeting her so not sure what I'd have thought if she'd been introduced in person.

‘Myra’ is right up there with ‘Adolf’ as names which will never make a comeback. Please don’t be that cruel to your daughter, OP.

I'm 31 and before I even clicked on the thread I thought 'Hindley'

My first thought was also that it's the Swedish for 'ant' (I'm English). Otherwise it's a lovely name

I'm early thirties. It also goes straight to Hindley for me - I'd never use it, sorry.

'Rose' is generic and 'Fred' is most associated with Freddie Mercury, whose life and death were still quite fresh in the public mind even when the West murders were discovered. He was world-famous and is adored to this day - much more famous than the Wests - so there wasn't the same cultural 'space' for a negative connotation to attach to the name.

Just think of hindley and evilness. Shame as it’s a pretty name otherwise. What about Myla?

I was born in the 90s and my first thought was Myra and Ian. Isn't the body of one of the boys still missing? Anyway, the name itself is alright and, yes, the connection is still there but your daughter will become her name and people will probably just think of her. I doubt anyone would say anything to you about it.

My first thought was Hindley too OP and I’m mid-20s. But a previous poster mentioned Myra McQueen from Hollyoaks which I’ve watched for years and never even made the link - after an initial I think people would t give it another thought

I’m 30s and just think Hindley and shudder.
I’ve never heard of another Myra, so it just has the immediate link for me unfortunately.

Just asked my 18 year old DS and he's never heard of her. Like a previous poster said though, with there being true crime documentaries, people will still remember Myra Hindley.

No joke, my best friend's parents' names are Myra and Ian...what are the odds?!

I do think the connotations are still too strong tbh, and I am another one too young to remember the crimes themselves so it's obviously lingering.

I don't think it's quite up there with Adolf (!) but that's because I'd assume anyone naming a child Adolf would be doing that on purpose. Whereas Myra could easily be a "Oooh that's awkward, they obviously don't know about Myra Hindley".

Because of the level of notoriety, the name Myra will forever, have a reflex. Hindley. There's always a new series coming out examining the most well known cases etc. She's not forgotten, she's as infamous now as then.
Because it's not ever been a common name, (I appreciate it was used more prior to the obvious, but it's still not common) it has become even more solidly attached to that one person.

Maura? Mya? Maya? Moira? Amara? Mia? Mira?

... and yet, 'Ian' doesn't raise an eyebrow. I know of several Ian's, all ages.

Odd isn't it?

I too like Myra but wouldn't call my daughter this. I would though consider 'Mara'.