Name Muriel

Muriel is a feminine name with Latin, Celtic, Old Irish origins. It is considered a ubiquitous name that has experienced moderate growth in popularity recently.

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Meaning of the name Muriel

Origins and Core Meaning

Muriel is a name of Latin origin, meaning "sea of bitterness". It is believed to derive from the Latin word "mare", meaning "sea", and the Celtic word "muir", meaning "bitter". Alternatively, some sources suggest it may have originated from the Old Irish name Muirgil, meaning "sea-bright" or "bright by the sea".

Detailed Insights on Muriel

Origins

Latin: Mare + Muir - Celtic: Muirgil - It also carries influences from Old Irish.

Symbolic Representation

The symbolism associated with the name Muriel includes:

  • The sea: Represents vastness, depth, and the power of nature.
  • Bitterness: Conveys resilience, strength, and the ability to overcome adversity.
  • Light: Represents hope, optimism, and the ability to illuminate even the darkest times.

Personality Traits

The name Muriel evokes a sense of mystery and depth. It suggests a person who is strong and independent, yet also possesses a gentle and compassionate nature. The association with the sea adds an element of fluidity and adaptability, while the connotation of bitterness hints at a resilience and strength that can overcome challenges.

Key Personality Traits

Personal Meanings of the Name Muriel

  • The name is of Goidelic origin and was originally spelled as Muirgheal (muir "sea", gheal "bright") in Irish and Muireall in Scottish Gaelic. Various versions have long been evident in Breton, Irish, and Scottish Gaelic languages. The name was very common in medieval England, typically in the form of "Merial". Unusually for a name of Celtic origin, it remained common after the Norman Conquest, although rare from about 1300.

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  • Sounds like a great great grandmother name, also too associated with Courage the Cowardly Dog.

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  • This is a very underrated name. I find Muriel to be shiny, aquatic, and mature. Absolutely brilliant in the way it stands out compared to other girl names.

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Muriel Overview & Analysis

Gender statistics

Muriel is predominantly a girl's name with a strong feminine identity. Among 51,206 people named Muriel, 51,164 are female and 42 are male resulting in a 99.918% female distribution. This pronounced gender imbalance underscores the name Muriel's strong feminine identity.

Data Explanation

This data is sourced from actual birth records, ensuring that the statistics provided are accurate reflections of real naming trends. The percentage has been rounded up for easier readability, but the underlying figures are grounded in factual data, not estimates. This ensures that the information is both reliable and user-friendly, giving a clear and truthful picture of the name Muriel's gender association.

Popularity

Muriel classified as an ubiquitous name and ranks 1,045 in the Namedary database. It has experienced moderate growth over the years, and experienced moderate growth recently. The chance of meeting someone named Muriel is nearly 0.01%, or about one in 6,000+ people.

Popularity and Usage Trends for Muriel

Based on the latest data from 2015 (6), 2016 (12), 2020 (8), Muriel's year-to-year percentage change in popularity is -50.00%. The name Muriel was most popular in 1922, making up 0.11% of baby names (or about one in 800+ babies), and reached its lowest point in 1973 with a usage rate of 0.0002%.

Country-Specific Prevalence
Muriel Popularity by Country
FlagCountryRankPopularity
New Zealand3760.07%
Canada8330.02%
United States1,0350.02%
Australia2,3010.001%
United Kingdom11,8430%

People named Muriel are predominantly found in New Zealand (NZ), where it constitutes 0.07% of the total population.

Data Source

The data in this section was gathered from a variety of sources, including:

To enhance readability, percentages are rounded up. Values less than 0.0015% have been omitted.

Additional Information on Muriel

Pronunciation and Phonetics

Name
Muriel
Pronunciation
  • MYUR-ee-ell
  • muriel
  • M-erYEHL
  • myoor-ee-uhl
  • Mur-iel
IPA Notation
mjʊˈɹiʌl
Syllable
Chinese Translation of the Name Muriel
Translation
缪里尔
Pronunce
(PinYin) : miào lǐ ěr
Feng Shui
FireFireFire
Muriel in Numerology
Muriel: Name to Numerology Conversion
MURIEL
395
493

Applying the rules of numerology (Pythagorean numerology):

Muriel's Soul Number (Heart's Desire Number): Number 8

  • Embrace your true self when you have achieved financial independence, secured a stable job, and established your own home.
  • You aspire to become a business-minded leader, guided by high ideals and an attitude of abundance.
  • You desire equity, empowerment, and abundance in both your personal and professional life.

Muriel's Expression Number (Personality Number): Number 7

  • You pursue self-fulfillment by doing your own thing and learning in your own way.
  • You experience immense joy and satisfaction when you achieve something and discover it yourself, rather than relying on others.

Muriel's Destiny Number (Life Path Number): Number 6

  • You are emotional, domestic, responsible, loyal, and sympathetic.
  • You exude a deep well of love and are always willing to help those in need, offering support and care whenever necessary.
  • You idealize love and strive to spread it to everyone, everywhere, and beyond.
Famous People Named Muriel
  • Muriel Spark: Scottish novelist and short story writer known for her sharp wit and exploration of religious themes.
  • Muriel Siebert: American businesswoman and the first woman to own a seat on the New York Stock Exchange.
  • Muriel Bowser: American politician and the eighth mayor of Washington, D.C.
  • Muriel Humphrey: American politician and the wife of former Vice President Hubert Humphrey.

User-Submitted Information about Muriel

  • Apparently also used in Hungarian: https://hu.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muriel

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  • Also Judeo-Anglo-Norman.
    Source: Seror, Simon "Les noms des femmes juives en Angleterre au Moyen Âge".

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  • Also used in Galician: http://www.ige.eu/igebdt/esq.jsp?idioma=gl&ruta=onomast/nomes.jsp
    https://gl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lista_de_nomes_femininos_en_galego#D

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Conclusion

The name Muriel is an intriguing and multifaceted name. Its origins in both Latin and Celtic languages speak to its diverse heritage. The meaning of "sea of bitterness" suggests a person who is both strong and compassionate, with a deep understanding of both the challenges and joys of life. The symbolism associated with the name adds further layers of depth and meaning, making it a truly unique and memorable choice.

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