Literary Baby Names: Promising possibilities from Edgar Allan Poe

Muriel

The name Muriel peaked for boys at #1169 in 1907. Muriel is occasionally used for girls in 2025.

The name Muriel is a girl's name of Irish origin meaning "of the bright sea, sea-bright".

Irish Names

Irish Names for Girls

6 Letter Girl Names

Names Ending in L for Girls

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Two Syllable Names for Girls

Names that Peaked in 1922

Girl Dog Names That Start With M

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Dog Names That Start With M

Cat Names That Start With M

Irish Names that Start With M

Once a poetic Celtic name, that of the angel who governs the month of June, Muriel has for a time, become the mom or grandma of TV sitcoms. A Top 200 name from 1912 to 1933, Muriel might just be due for a comeback, fitting as it does with the likes of Margot, Mabel, Marjorie, and Marilyn. 
 
Traditionally written as Muirgel in Old Irish, it was also common in Medieval England (often in the form of Merial) and while it did see a decline after the Norman Conquest, it didn't disappear completely. The Muriel form remained familiar in Scotland and was eventually brought back to England in the 1850s, following its appearance in Dinah Craik's novel, John Halifax, Gentleman.

Muriel has further literary cred via Edinburgh-born author Muriel Spark, author of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and also appears as a character in l. M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables, in George Orwell's Animal Farm, and in Anne Tyler's The Accidental Tourist.
 
Ultimately derived from the Old Irish elements muir and gel, Muriel is an water-inspired choice meaning "sea bright" or "bright sea". Distinctive in sound (MYURE-ee-uhl in English; MUE-RHYEL in French), Muriel was given to 50 girls in the US in a recent count: the highest number recorded since the 80s!

Old-Fashioned Girl Names

Sea Witchery Names

Ocean-Inspired Names for Babies

Scottish Baby Names

Nature Names for Girls

Beach Baby Names

Irish Girl Names (and Meanings)

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Victorian Names from the 1800s

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Croc Names

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Nerdy Girl Names: Geek Chic Cool

Unique, Rare, and Unusual Girl Names

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Brilliant Names That Mean Light

Irish

The name Muriel peaked for girls at #112 in 1922. The name is most popular in California, Texas, and Texas. Muriel is occasionally used for boys in 1966.

Meriel

Meryl

Year	US rank	Births	Per million
2014	—	0	0
2015	—	0	0
2016	—	0	0
2017	—	0	0
2018	—	0	0
2019	—	0	0
2020	—	0	0
2021	—	0	0
2022	—	0	0
2023	—	0	0
2024	—	0	0
2025	—	0	0

Muriel

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