Myra?

[MittensForKittens123]

DH and I both like the name Myra, but we are worried about the association with Myra Hindley, do you think it is possible to use it?
Or should we think about Mayra instead?

As an aside, I really like Lyra, but DH says it makes him think of Lycra… 🙄

No.

I think its a lovely name but yes Hindley will be mentioned. However, after a while, people become used to it and the association becomes her.

There have been quite a few threads on this - might be worth searching and looking at all the other answers too.
Consensus has always been the association is too strong. It’s a shame because I think it’s a really nice name.

what about Cora?

Myra Hindley will be notorious forever, it’s not a crime that will be forgotten it’s enmeshed in the British psyche, you only have to switch on your tv and you can guarantee there will be some real crime programme about the moors murders. It’s a horrible name with horrible connotations.

No, sorry OP - I think Myra will be one of a very few names that will never be rehabilitated. The one woman association is just too strong.

There are lots of similar sounding names that are very useable though - Myla, Lyla, Lyra, Lara etc. Personally I love Mara, which is a lot less common than most of the others.

It really isn't useable.

Mary, Maya, Mia etc would all be possible.
Marni, Marina or Mercedes would be more unusual M choices.

No, just no. The association is far too strong.

Another one thinks the association is too strong

Moira, Mara, Margaret (lots of nn possibilities there) or Mary?

NOT Myra. NOT EVER. There are literally thousands of names to choose from, you must be able to find something else you like...

Going against the grain...thinking of other notorious murderers.. Ted (Bundy) is a popular name.. Rose (west) is still used...

I think the younger generation won't associate and certainly won't be negative!

I wouldn't automatically think "hindley".., I may think "Myra..that name is familiar.." and then twig why!

Going against the grain...thinking of other notorious murderers.. Ted (Bundy) is a popular name.. Rose (west) is still used...

Someone always brings Rose West and other killers into this when anyone asks about the name Myra, but those names don't stand out because they're so common. People have many other associations with them but Myra wasn't an especially common name so there are few other associations to temper the Hindley connection.

No, no, no, nope-ity, no!
Moira is a good alternative.

I think it will always be a toxic name. no.

and it won't ever sink into the background as a new generation comes along. Its associated with an unbelievably dreadful crime.

Yikes!!

Both my dds had a strong positive woman with their name (one a famous writer one a figure connected with politics and history). Look who your daughter would have 🙄😲

I know a really lovely Myra. Never once since I met her have I thought 'Myra Hindley' when saying her name.

The Hindley association is probably even less likely to go away now considering that true crime podcasts, forums and books are so incredibly popular.

I know a really lovely Myra. Never once since I met her have I thought 'Myra Hindley' when saying her name.

I think most people would think it though, judging by this and many other threads on the name.

People will ‘😮😮😮 oh!! How unusual!……. !!’ Every time you introduce her.

Sure, I am just pointing out to the OP that it is a name used in real life without the drama implied here. Nobody else who knows my Myra has ever mentioned it for example.

It’s not like Rose or Ted though is it.

it’s more like Attila or Adolf or Genghis or Rasputin or Cher.

Out of all the names you could possibly use... Why that one? Ask yourself honestly, would you want your own name to be Myra? Most people are going to think of Myra Hindley because she is the only Myra who is familiar to the public (I can't think of any others). It's not like Rose or Fred, where there are a lot of positive or neutral associations to balance out the negative one.

No - I think it will not be a useable name for at least another generation.

Nobody else who knows my Myra has ever mentioned it for example.

they’ve become acclimatised to the child murderer association, I bet new people raise an eyebrow all the time.

additionally it limits hairdos for the kid.