Baby Name of the Day: Lyra

The baby name Lyra blends stylish sounds with musical and night sky meanings.

Thanks to Muppy for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.

LYRA in GREEK MYTH

Greek myth tells us that sun god Apollo and the muse Calliope passed on their musical talents to a son called Orpheus.

Dad also gifted junior with his very first lyre – a stringed instrument, a small harp. In Ancient Greece, a performer would strum his lyre as he recited poems. Orpheus was aces with the instrument, so good that they said he could charm the birds and the beasts.

When Orpheus’ beloved Eurydice died, he ventured to the Underworld to convince Hades and Persephone that she should be released. Thanks to Orpheus’ lyre-playing, the gods relented, on one condition. Orpheus couldn’t look back as Eurydice followed him back to life. Predictably, poor Orpheus peeked – and his love was lost forever.

The story has inspired writers, composers and artists for generations, right up through the 20th century. Tennessee Williams, Nick Cave, and Rufus Wainwright have all referenced the myth.

The origin of the instrument itself is a bit of a mystery. While the Ancient Greeks mastered it, the word is clearly foreign – and its origins are also lost to time. Thrace, Lydia and Egypt are all possible sources of the instrument and its name.

LYRE to LYRA

In American English, we pronounce Lyra LYE rah while the small harp is LYE uhr.

But the Latin and Greek for lyre was lyra.

That almost makes this a straight-up instrument name, a sister for Viola.

Except that lyres aren’t as familiar as, say, pianos. Plus the Greek word lyrikos, means “singing to the lyre.” That led to Lyric, another word-turned-unisex-name of the twenty-first century.

LYRA in the NIGHT SKY

For many, Lyra conjures up the night sky.

This takes us back to mythology.

Accounts vary, but once Orpheus died, his beloved lyre was retired to the heavens as a constellation. (Some say Zeus sent an eagle to fetch it; others claim the Muses were responsible.)

In the first century, Ptolemy listed Lyra among the 48 constellations in his second century Almagest. It remains among list of constellations today.

LYRA SILVERTONGUE

As a given name, Lyra got a boost from Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy. Lyra is the heroine of the fantasy epic.

The first book was originally published in 1995 and served as the basis for 2007 film adaptation The Golden Compass. From 2019 to 2022, the books were adapted as a television series for BBC One and HBO.

Lyra is a young girl when the story begins, living in an alternate world. Prophecy suggests that she’ll change the world. Adventure follows.

BY the NUMBERS

The baby name Lyra first trended in the UK.

While the 2007 movie wasn’t a big success, it was enough to pique interest in the name. It more than doubled in use in the US, to 200 births as of 2008. In 2015, the name debuted in the US Top 1000.

As of 2023, the baby name Lyra ranks #481. That marks the name’s highest position yet.

It’s not just about an appealing literary character. Consider:

• We love Lily, Lyla, and lots of other L-l names.
• Lyra fits with musical choices like Aria and Harmony.
• It’s also a night sky name, just like Stella and Luna.

All together, this name’s success isn’t surprising. But it’s worth noting that Lyra remains much less popular than many a chart-topping favorite.

That could make the baby name Lyra perfect for parents after a twenty-first century ready choice: meaningful, uncommon, and with a strong, appealing sound.

What do you think of the baby name Lyra?

First published on April 18, 2009, this post was revised on July 29, 2024.