"myrrh, fragrant resin"
Origin: Greek/Latin (myrrha)
Language: English
Myra
Pronunciation: [ m-EYER-uh ]
Does Myra flow with your last name?
A poetic Victorian invention with fragrant, timeless appeal
English
American
Vintage
Elegant
Gentle
Minimalist
Classic
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"wonderful, admirable"
Origin: Latin (mirus)
Language: English
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Things to Know About This Name
- Myra Hindley was a notorious British child murderer convicted in 1966—parents in the UK should be aware of this association
The Story of Myra
Myra appears to have been invented or popularized by the 16th-century English poet Fulke Greville, 1st Baron Brooke, who used it as a poetic name in his sonnets (likely derived from Myrrha, the figure from Greek/Roman mythology, or from the Latin/Greek 'myrrha' meaning the fragrant resin). Others suggest it may be a variant of Mira (from the Latin 'mirus', wonderful, or the Slavic 'mir', peace). Whatever its origin, Myra became a genuine given name in the English-speaking world by the 19th century.
Myra was a moderately popular name in the US through the 19th and early 20th centuries. It faded significantly in Britain after 1966 due to its association with Myra Hindley (the Moors Murderer), but in the United States it has no such stigma and is experiencing a gentle revival as part of the vintage name trend.
Myra Hess (1890-1965), the British pianist who organized free lunchtime concerts at London's National Gallery throughout World War II, gave the name a heroic, culturally enriching association. In the US, the name is simply vintage and sweet, free of negative connotations.
Historical Record
Myra first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 36,754 babies have been named Myra in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Myra is past its peak , currently ranked #645 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Myra may have been invented by 16th-century English poet Fulke Greville as a poetic name
- Dame Myra Hess organized 1,700 free lunchtime concerts at London's National Gallery during WWII
- Myrrh, the fragrant resin, was one of the three gifts brought to the infant Jesus in the Nativity story
Myra in Other Languages
Greek
Myrrha
French
Myra
Italian
Myra
Spanish
Myra
Popularity Over Time
#645
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 1950
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Myra
M
Myra Gale Brown
Other
1944
Cousin and third wife of Jerry Lee Lewis, whose controversial marriage at age 13 caused a major scandal in 1958
M
Myra Hess
Musician
1890
British pianist famous for organizing free wartime concerts at London's National Gallery during WWII
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #645
- Total SSA Count
- 453
- Cultural Origins
- English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
My
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Myra
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Myra is also used as a boy name, ranked #14088.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Myra
What does the name Myra mean?
"myrrh, fragrant resin" (from Greek/Latin (myrrha)). "wonderful, admirable" (from Latin (mirus)). Myra appears to have been invented or popularized by the 16th-century English poet Fulke Greville, 1st Baron Brooke, who used it as a poetic name in his sonnets (likely derived from Myrrha, the figure from Greek/Roman mythology, or from the Latin/Greek 'myrrha' meaning the fragrant resin). Others suggest it may be a variant of Mira (from the Latin 'mirus', wonderful, or the Slavic 'mir', peace). Whatever its origin, Myra became a genuine given name in the English-speaking world by the 19th century.
What is the origin of the name Myra?
Myra has Greek/Latin (myrrha), Latin (mirus), English, and American origins. In Greek/Latin (myrrha), it means "myrrh, fragrant resin". In Latin (mirus), it means "wonderful, admirable".
Is Myra a boy or girl name?
Myra is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #645. As a boy name, it is ranked #14088. Myra is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Myra?
Myra is pronounced m-EYER-uh.
How popular is the name Myra?
Myra is currently ranked #645 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Myra?
Popular middle name pairings include Myra Jane, Myra Rose, Myra Claire, Myra Kate, Myra Louise, and Myra Ann.
What are good sibling names for Myra?
Names that pair well with Myra as siblings include Iris, Walter, June, Felix, Agnes, and Edmund.
How many syllables does Myra have?
Myra has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Myra a common or rare name?
Myra is moderately common, ranked #645 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
What girl names are similar to Myra?
About the Name Myra
Myra is a girl name with English and American origins . The name means "myrrh, fragrant resin" in Greek/Latin (myrrha) .
Is Myra a boy or girl name? Myra is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #645 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #14,088. Myra is more commonly used as a girl name.
Myra is currently ranked #645 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Myra has 2 syllables and is pronounced m-EYER-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Myra include My. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Myra include Myrah, Myracle, Myriam . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis