Myra?

[theinterest]

My DH and I thought we were settled on the name Myra for our baby due later this year, but having been settled on this for several months I’m not sure how others will view it? Neither of us are into crime type media, early 30s, and live in the south of England so somehow managed to miss the connection to Myra Hindley until now. My DH is still completely set on it, but I worry now what others will think (blame the hormones). Lyra isn’t an option for us due to a close friends baby being called that earlier this year.

I’m really after view in what you all think? I love the name but now doubting if it’s the right thing to use!

Don't be ridiculous. Ian is an extremely common name, especially in Scotland. It isn't about sexism, it is about how often the name occurs. If Myra Hindley had been named Jennifer, nobody would think twice about the name.

Meera?

I can’t get past immediately thinking Hindley sorry.

It's already been massively rehabilitated. Since 1996 it has climbed from 2096th to 377th in the rankings of names used. There were 114 newborn Myras registered in 2024. That's not a name that is as completely associated with one person as it used to be.

And they will say it to your DD's face.

I didn’t call my daughter Madeleine due to the McCann case. That had always been my name I was going to use.

Myra is just a no, for at least another twenty odd years

There is the late Dame Myra Hess who was a lovely, talented and remarkable woman. Apart from her, no others come to mind.

I'd do Myla

I have met one Myra in my life, she was Indian and when she loved to the North of England she changed it to Myleen. It is always Myra Hindley and her evil crimes that everyone thinks of, even teenagers.

I don’t like the name, regardless.

Definitely not. I’d say it’s unusable in the UK

Why not Meryra?

I’m sure, like Adolf, that the reason it’s unusual nowadays is precisely because of Hindley. Jack the Ripper was just named by the police/press, it wasn’t like it was his actual name so that’s different. Ian and Rose were so much more common in the first place than Myra but if not for her, I’m sure there would be far more little Myras around now.

Yes, Ian is still quite a common boy's name, especially in Scotland.

Maybe it's time to reclaim the name Myra. In itself there is nothing wrong with it. The OP could choose an entirely different name, then have it become associated with some evil event in the future, but it would still have nothing to do with her child.

How many people, either in your own real life or celebrities do you know who are called Rose, Fred or Peter?

And how many Myras ?

I wouldn't but Maria is a lovely name

Also puts me in mind of showers, OP.

How about Myrna instead? as in the queen of Hollywood: Myrna Loy.

Ian was already a more common name than Myra when they arrested, so the association has never been as strong. If Myra had been called Jane or Anne Hindley, neither of those names would have ended up being stigmatised.

OP, you really shouldn't do this to your daughter. I'm in my thirties, hadn't even heard of Myra Hindley until she died, and she was still the first thing I thought of when I saw this thread. It's really not fair to put this on a child. You say your husband is still set on it - he's not the one who'll have to go through life with a name people associate with a serial child killer, is he? He needs to put his daughter first.

Perhaps Kyra or Kyla?

Yes, sorry, first thing came into my head was Hindley.

Mmm, Myra Hindley is the immediate association I made. I'd be wondering what the parents were thinking if I came across a child named Myra and would think it was pretty unfortunate for the child, in all honesty.

I agree it’s a no. Too terrible an association.
Myla, Marnie, Mila, Miriam, Mimi, Maura ?

No, because of the Hindley association.

It's strange how other names of serial murderers are not immediately associated with them as much as Hindley. While Ian isn't a common name for babies, it's because it's seen as old fashioned, not because of Brady. Fred(die), Rose, Lucy, etc are not immediately associated with West and Letby. Maybe because it's an unusual name to start with so people don't know anyone else with the name?

What about Mya (or the various other spellings?).

I'm really surprised to read this!

Like @IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle, the other Myra I've come across is the pianist Myra Hess. Even so, on seeing the thread title I thought first of Hindley.

Could MOIRA be acceptable?