Myra is a given name created by the 17th-century English poet Fulke Greville. He possibly based it on the Latin myrra, meaning "myrrh," a fragrant resin obtained from a tree. Alternatively, Greville may have simply rearranged the letters from the name Mary, though it is unrelated etymologically. Despite this literary origin, Myra is also the name of an ancient city in Lycia (modern-day Demre, Turkey), which adds geographical and historical significance.EtymologyFulke Greville (1554–1628) is credited with inventing Myra for his sonnet sequence Caelica (1633). The name's connection to myrrh evokes the biblical gift of the magi, a resin used in anointing oil and incense. The spelling variant Mayra is used in Latin American Spanish. The Lycian city of Myra, where the roots Latin i>myrra is the source, was renamed Demre in 2005.Cultural SignificanceThe ancient city of Myra was an early center of Christianity and the seat of Saint Nicholas (Santa Claus). The saint's relics were interred there until 1087, when they were transferred to Bari, Italy. The ruins include a Roman theater and rock-cut tombs, dating back to the 3rd century BC under Hellenic influence. While the city's name likely derives from the Lycian word for "myrtle," the modern given name Myra remains distinct in etymology, a creative 17th-century invention immortalized in English poetry.Related FormsIn Latin American Spanish, the form Mayra is occasionally used, adapting the spelling to local phonetic norms. No direct diminutives or other language variants are noted, though Myra has been adopted across English-speaking countries.Meaning: Possibly "myrrh" (Latin myrra) or an anagram of MaryOrigin: Invented by Fulke Greville (17th century)Usage: English, rarely in Spanish-speaking regions (as Mayra)