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Home › Baby Names Directory › Miriel

Miriel

♀ Girl

Pronounced MEER-ee-el /ˈmɪr.i.ɛl/Medium

Meaning: A literary invention: Tolkien gave the name Miriel to more than one character, including Miriel of the Noldor (mother of Feanor) and a queen of Numenor. It belongs to his constructed Elvish languages rather than to any real-world tongue, so it has no natural etymology outside his books.Low

In 30 seconds: Miriel is a Tolkien name — borne by an Elf of the Noldor and by a queen of Numenor (said 'MEER-ee-el').
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Origin MediumLiterary, Elvish
MeaningA literary invention: Tolkien gave the name Miriel to more than one character, including Miriel of the Noldor (mother of Feanor) and a queen of Numenor. It belongs to his constructed Elvish languages rather than to any real-world tongue, so it has no natural etymology outside his books.
U.S. rank (2023)#14593 ↗ Rising
2023 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2018
Total births (all-time)≈ 23

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202320082023

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

Miriel is a name J.R.R. Tolkien created for his legendarium. It belongs to Miriel of the Noldor, the mother of Feanor, and to a queen of Numenor. Because it comes from Tolkien's constructed Elvish, it has no natural etymology in a real-world language — a literary invention, and we state that honestly. It appeals to families who like the -iel ending shared with Ariel and Muriel (said 'MEER-ee-el').

It appears only rarely in the U.S. Rare, literary, and quietly grand.

Did you know? Miriel comes from Tolkien's invented Elvish, not from any real-world language — which is why it feels at once ancient and brand new. We say plainly that it is a literary invention.
Overall data confidence 50%
References — Miriel — Tolkien legendarium: Miriel of the Noldor; queen of Numenor

Variations

MurielMirielleMiriell

Nicknames

MiriMira

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Miriel…

Muriel— the closest real-world cousin in sound
Ariel— shares the airy -iel ending
Arwen— another Tolkien name for girls
Elowen— a like elvish-sounding choice

Explore names like Miriel

By themerareliteraryfantasytolkien
By meaningRoyal / Noble

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Miriel mean?

Miriel is a name Tolkien invented in his Elvish languages; it has no natural etymology outside his books, which we note honestly.

How do you pronounce Miriel?

It's said MEER-ee-el /ˈmɪr.i.ɛl/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Miriel a boy or girl name?

Miriel is a girl's name.

How popular is Miriel?

Miriel is a rare name for girls in the U.S.

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