Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Muriel
GirlIrish· “from Irish Muirgheal, 'bright sea'”
- Meaning
- from Irish Muirgheal, 'bright sea'
- Origin
- Irish
- Pronunciation
- MYUR-ee-uhl
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #4,430
- US babies 2025
- 32
- Best rank
- #112 (1922)
- Peak year
- 1922
Meaning and origin of Muriel
Muriel is an Irish name that is usually said to mean “from Irish Muirgheal, 'bright sea'”.
Muriel comes from the Irish Muirgheal, usually explained as sea plus bright, though the exact reading carries some uncertainty. The name spread from Ireland and Scotland to Brittany and Normandy, and the Normans brought it to England, where it appears in medieval records. It was revived in the nineteenth century and was widely used in the early twentieth. The Scottish novelist Muriel Spark, author of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, is its best-known literary bearer. It is said MYUR-ee-uhl. Meryl and Merrill are related forms, and Muriel pairs easily with Mabel or Iris.
Popularity over time
Muriel has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 85 different years. Its best national rank was #112 in 1922, the same year it reached its highest count of 2,392 babies. In 2025, 32 babies were named Muriel, and it ranked #4,430 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #123 in 1920, #445 in 1950, #2,057 in 1980, #3,953 in 2000, #6,117 in 2010, and #4,430 in 2025. Of the 54,884 US girls named Muriel since records began, 37% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1910s come next, with 11,701 babies. Since 2010, 388 more have been named Muriel.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Harriet, Eunice, Velma, Hilda, and Dora.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Muriel ranked highest in Texas.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | #3191 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Muriel is usually pronounced MYUR-ee-uhl, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with M and ends in “-el”.
Middle names for Muriel
A few middle names that flow with Muriel: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Muriel
Similar names
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Lists that include Muriel
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Muriel mean?
Muriel is an Irish name that is usually said to mean “from Irish Muirgheal, 'bright sea'”.
What is the origin of the name Muriel?
Muriel has Irish roots. Muriel comes from the Irish Muirgheal, usually explained as sea plus bright, though the exact reading carries some uncertainty.
Is Muriel a popular name?
Not especially. Muriel ranked #4,430 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Muriel a boy or girl name?
Muriel is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Muriel?
Muriel is usually pronounced MYUR-ee-uhl. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings