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Murriel
How to Pronounce Murriel
Pronounced MYOOR-ee-ul /ˈmjʊr.i.əl/Medium
Meaning: Murriel is a doubled-consonant spelling of Muriel, an old Celtic name from elements meaning 'sea' and 'bright' - 'bright sea' or 'shining sea'. Muriel came through Irish and Scottish Gaelic (Muirgel) and Breton; the extra 'r' is a vintage American variation.Medium
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
Murriel elaborates Muriel, from Celtic muir ('sea') and a 'bright' element, carried through Irish and Scottish Gaelic Muirgel and Breton forms. Muriel was fashionable around the turn of the twentieth century, boosted by Victorian fiction, and spellings like Murriel gave the name an individual touch.
This spelling was always uncommon, cresting around 1925 with only a couple dozen girls a year and fading by mid-century. A woman named Murriel then is now of a great-grandparent generation; the name reads as gentle Celtic vintage, its 'bright sea' meaning giving it a quiet, coastal appeal.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Murriel mean?
Murriel is an elaborated spelling of Muriel, from a Celtic name meaning 'bright sea'.
How do you pronounce Murriel?
It's said MYOOR-ee-ul /ˈmjʊr.i.əl/, three syllables.
Is Murriel a boy or girl name?
Murriel is used as a girl's name.
How popular is Murriel?
Murriel has always been uncommon, an early-century spelling of Muriel.