Baby name - Lyra

[Popes]

Hi all - would really appreciate some feedback on the name Lyra May for a little girl.
Thanks

I like it

I really do like Lyra.

I was always very slightly put off because I thought Pullman invented the name (but really, I suppose all names were invented at some point by someone!) but it turns out I was wrong anyway and it means Lyre in Greek - but I'm sure you knew that!

So now, I think it's a GREAT name I would consider it but it rhymes with our surname.

I guess the only risk is that it might get a bit popular/faddy due to the films/books but who knows?

May being the middle name?

I love the name Lyra but we couldn't have it as it would sound silly with our surname which i was gutted about.

Lyra May lovely go for it!

too much like Lycra

I read it as Lycra. Then had to re-read to check! Prefer Ilya May tbh

Hiya - thanks for your feedback - yes I thought the same - as obviously I got it from the Pullman Trilogy. I read an interview with him and he got it from a constellation - which I thought was a fab origin!

I'm not sure what I'm unsure about ..at first I was dead set on it, but I've become less convinced over time. I haven't heard it anywhere at all (apart from the books/ film). Perhaps that's why I'm unsure - will it be trend setting or just a bit odd?!!

Yes I love May - and definitely as the middle name rather than Lyra-May as a first name!

In fact I have been also thinking of May as a first name -but then can't think of a middle name to follow!!

Haha perhaps the baby will be a boy and I won't have to have this debate any longer!

Oh dear I was waiting for the Lycra comments!!

Our DD has May as her middle name and don't be put off by people saying they don't like May. We named our dd jessica and May in the middle after my auntie. Have read loads of negative stuff about may as a middle name isnce then but it really doesn't bother me.
Lyra is a lovely name -very different.
Children become their names so I wouldn't worry what everyone thinks if you and your DH love the name.

Yes May comes from my Granny - Well actually she was Edna May - but I'm not so keen on the Edna!!
What are the negatives you've heard about using it as a middle name?

Good point about children becoming their names thanks

I didn't think of Lycra at all! I can't believe anyone would meet a person called Lyra and think 'Lycra' anyway - it's different meeting someone in real life to seeing the name as a subject title on a post.

People will think of a connection/connotation to almost every name, so unless its something that almost everyone will have a problem with (eg Hitler) then you should just go for it.

Far better to do your own thing than to choose something boring popular just to be safe imo.

Goes well with May.

Well - not sure I should say. I was upset when I read a post that was said using May as a middle name was chavvy and that everyone was using May as a middle name. then I thought, nope, that's bonkers. It's lovely and it suits our DD anyway (8). DS' middle name is George after my grandad with whom he shared his birthday, until he recently passed away (grandad, not DS).
Stick to your guns. May is lovely.

Agree with Luciemule - Every name seems to be 'chavvy' according to MN - ignore that!

That's what I should have said - succinct and to the point cakes .

Thanks Luciemule, Doesn't upset me at all. People are entitled to their opinions, I'd have thought that the first name and middle name together would be more of a determinant of 'chaviness' (I really hate to use that expression! - apologies!!) than a name like May on it's own. Is it perhaps that it's just more commonly used now? A bit like most of my friends' middle names (from the seventies) are Jane!!

I really can't see that May is 'chavvy' in the slightest - it's certainly better than Mae. But - it is almost a default middle name these days, along with Rose. Like you say, the Jane or Louise of our day. But so what? If you like it, use it.

Lyra is not to my tastes, but it's not bad at all.

I don't think it's chavvy either - think the thread was referring to Mae instead of May actually.

My dd is Lyra so I love it. Loved the book, wanted a name with girl power and love all things Greek. Also love the name Myra but obv that's like Adolph isn't it?

Haha!! Yes I suppose Myra is!!
Have you/ your daughter met any other Lyras?

I think Lyra is a lovely name. I also like Lyla. My DP vetoed though as he rekons the kids could rhyme with Liar & she would be taunted. Just something to be aware of I suppose, but if you love it use it x

I know of another Lyra.

I find the philip Pullman connection odd but probably no one will read them by the time your daughter is a few years old

Not heard any round our way.

Pullman actually used the name because it sounds like liar and that's one of the character's main talents. DD had a v minor kerfuffle in Year R about it but we got through it and now she knows to just ignore idiots.

i like myra and love may and , i dont really understand the negative comments mae gets as i know lots of mays very popular as a middle name but dont know any with the spelling mae.