Meaning & Origin
A female given name from Scottish Gaelic of mostly British usage.
Muriel is a girl's and boy's baby name of Irish origin, from the Old Irish Muirgel meaning 'sea bright' — combining muir (sea) and geal (bright). With over 54,000 U.S. births, Muriel was beloved in the early 20th century.
Muriel Spark, author of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, is among the name's most celebrated literary bearers — giving it an association with wit, intelligence, and a certain Scottish sharpness.