An uncommon Scottish Gaelic pick — distinctive and rare.
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.
Muriel climbed 1707 spots in the last 20 years — from #4905 to #3198.
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 138 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 218 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 298 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 360 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 433 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 498 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 1,265 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 2,571 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 4,666 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 8,656 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 20,481 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 11,701 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 2,257 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 1,062 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 248 | — |
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 50 | #3198 |
| 2023 | 27 | #4954 |
| 2022 | 22 | #5750 |
| 2021 | 19 | #6329 |
| 2020 | 20 | #6011 |
| 2019 | 20 | #6116 |
| 2018 | 19 | #6434 |
| 2017 | 26 | #5142 |
| 2016 | 21 | #6124 |
| 2015 | 28 | #4943 |
| 2014 | 30 | #4735 |
| 2013 | 15 | #8045 |
| 2012 | 16 | #7692 |
| 2011 | 21 | #6277 |
| 2010 | 22 | #6117 |
| 2009 | 20 | #6737 |
| 2008 | 31 | #4842 |
| 2007 | 30 | #4904 |
| 2006 | 33 | #4432 |
| 2005 | 27 | #4916 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Muriel has also been given to 762 boys in the U.S. since 1906.
Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1880–2024) · Methodology