Muriel
Muriel is a boy's name of Celtic origin.
Meaning
Bright sea or sparkling sea.
Origin and history
Muriel is a traditional name of Gaelic origin, derived from elements meaning 'bright sea' or 'sparkling sea.' Historically, it was brought to England via Breton followers of William the Conqueror. While predominantly used for females in modern times, it has a long history of rare usage as a male name in the United States.
Popularity in the United States
762 babies in the United States have been named Muriel since 1880. It ranks #3914 all-time.
States where it is most popular
- OK (64.3 %)
- AR (11.9 %)
- NC (11.9 %)
- NY (11.9 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 17 |
| 1910-1920 | 109 |
| 1920-1930 | 268 |
| 1930-1940 | 177 |
| 1940-1950 | 123 |
| 1950-1960 | 56 |
| 1960-1970 | 12 |
| 1970-1980 | 0 |
| 1980-1990 | 0 |
| 1990-2000 | 0 |
| 2000-2010 | 0 |
| 2010-2019 | 0 |
| 2020-2029 | 0 |
Fun facts
- The Breton form of the Gaelic name was introduced to Britain by the Normans in the 11th century.
- Although primarily feminine today, Muriel has documented history as a masculine given name in the U.S.