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?

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

Odd isn't it?

It's not at all odd. Myra was never a particularly common name so Hindley is about the only association most people have with it. Ian is a far more common name so people will likely know of many other Ians, whether famous or not.

Sorry OP it's inextricably linked to Hindley. My poor mum can't even listen to "The Little Drummer Boy" Carol because it was on the tapes they played of them torturing little Leslie-Anne. Keep looking I sure you will find an even prettier name?

I think with Ian is that it’s a very common name, I’ve never heard of another Myra ever. Old or young,

No. Hindley. Don't put that on your child.

I think it's a lovely name.

Just no.
Connotations with Hindley are way too strong for it to be a suitable name. Others have suggested similar but different names, please look at them instead.

Oh my god, no was the first thing that came into my mind. I'm in my 40s.

It's such a shame, it's a beautiful name and was also the name of my beloved late dear grandma, but the Hindley associations around the name are far too strong unfortunately

Just asked my 24 year old what his first thought would be if I said the name Myra and his response was immediately "Hindley". Definitely not just the older folk.

There's a Myra at my work, people soon get used to it.

I looked at the name stats for 2019:

• 74 baby girls were named Myra in England and Wales; the name is ranked at 545.
• 5 baby girls were named Myra in Scotland; the name is ranked at 544.

(I only had the top 500 names for NI and Myra didn't feature).

I like the name but it's still a bit too associated with Hindley for me, presumably because it wasn't that common a name to begin with, or a classic name like Rose in the case of Rose West.

As an alternative - Mira, Mara, Mina, Mayra, Maia, Lyra?

Why not call your DD Mya. Better than the child being associated with Myra Hindley.

And in the future if you ever have a boy you would absolutely have to name him Adolf:) Myra and Adolf 😂sorry OP but NO

I'm in my 30's and first thought is Hindley. Sorry Op

@Handsoffstrikesagain

Didn't the Catholic Church allow her to be given last rites on her death bed therefore implying she would be granted forgiveness and entry to heaven? One of the reasons why I struggle with religion now and largely atheist - that and having visited Auschwitz

I'm 27 and have only heard of Hindley through Mumsnet. I don't think most in my generation would know who she was.

Myra is a lovely name and if you like it, you should use it.

Can’t see the name without picturing the black and white mug shot

I'm 27 and my immediate thought was Myra Hindley.

I’ve never heard of Myra Hindley so wouldn’t have thought anything of it. I’m in my early 20s and don’t watch that many crime docs. I don’t think everyone would think of a murderer when they hear the name 🤷🏼‍♀️

@Handsoffstrikesagain

Yup quite a few sources at the time confirmed she was granted the last rites by a priest in hospital

I know a Myla. Would that do? It’s pretty & not the same. Or Lyra - but that reminds of Lycra!

I'm in my forties; I am aware of Myra Hindley of course but don't think I'd immediately think of her on meeting someone called Myra, perhaps because of the number of other similar names like Mia. If anything, I think I'd be more likely to think of Myra Hess. I don't think your daughter's age cohort will be aware of the Hindley link as they get older.

names.darkgreener.com/#myra shows the name going up from 2096 in 1996 to 545 in 2019. There is considerable regional variation as you'd expect: www.ukbabynames.com/girls/myra. There were 5 born in Scotland last year, which looks as if it is also in the 500s.

I also think that paragraph from Carol Ann Lee is pretty hyperbolic and ignores over-arching name trends.