Muriel (given name)

Muriel

Muriel is an English name derived from Celtic elements meaning "sea" and "bright"
Pronunciation /ˈmjʊəriəl/
Gender Feminine
Language(s) English
Origin
Language(s) Celtic
Other names
Cognate(s) Muireall (Scottish Gaelic), Muirgheal (Irish)

Muriel /ˈmjʊəriəl/[1] is a feminine given name in the English language.

Origin/ history

Of Celtic origin and originally formatted as Muirgheal (muir sea/ gheal bright), the name Muriel - variously formatted - has long been evident in Breton, Irish, and Scottish Gaelic languages. The name was very common in mediaeval England, typically formatted as Merial, and unusual for a name of Celtic origin remained common after the Norman Conquest although rare from about 1300. Remaining common in Scotland as Muriel, the name in this form was introduced back into England [2] in the mid-19th century, facilitated by Dinah Craik's 1856 novel John Halifax, Gentleman whose title character's daughter is named Muriel; born in 1802 Muriel is said to be named "after the rather peculiar name of John's mother." [3] Usage of Muriel peaked in the early 1920s and has subsequently declined.[4]

List of persons with the given name

List of fictional characters with the given name

See also

References

  1. Muriel, Dictionary.com, retrieved 4 February 2011 which cited: Dictionary.com Unabridged, Random House.
  2. Hanks, Patrick; Hardcastle, Kate; Hodges, Flavia (2006), A Dictionary of First Names, Oxford Paperback Reference (2nd ed.), Oxford University Press, pp. 199, 352, 406, ISBN 978-0-19-861060-1
  3. Dinah Craik John Halifax, Gentleman Kessinger Publishing p. 262
  4. http://www.babynamespedia.com/meaning/Muriel
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