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Meriel
Pronounced MER-ee-uhl /ˈmɛr.i.əl/Medium
Meaning: Meriel is a variant of Muriel, from a Celtic name (Irish 'Muirgheal,' Breton 'Meriadeg' family) built from 'muir' (sea) and 'geal' (bright), giving 'bright sea' or 'sea-bright.' It is an old form that survived chiefly in England.Low
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Meriel is an English variant of Muriel, from a Celtic name joining 'muir' (sea) and 'geal' (bright) to mean 'bright sea.' Long used in Britain, it appeared only sparingly in American birth records in the early and middle twentieth century.
Meriel was only about fifteen a year even at its peak, always uncommon in the United States and steadily rare. It keeps the gentle, old-world feel of Muriel, and its 'bright sea' meaning could appeal again, though it has not revived.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Meriel mean?
It is a variant of Muriel, from a Celtic name built from 'muir' (sea) and 'geal' (bright), meaning 'bright sea' or 'sea-bright.'
How do you pronounce Meriel?
It is said MER-ee-uhl /ˈmɛr.i.əl/ - three syllables.
Is Meriel a boy or girl name?
Meriel is used as a girl's name.
How popular is Meriel?
Meriel was always rare in the United States, given to only about fifteen girls a year at its peak in the mid-nineteen-thirties.