Holding steady.
Popularity of Murel since 1892
Babies named Murel per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1931, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Murel's real moment was 1892.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1890s | 0 | 5 |
| 1900s | 5 | 0 |
| 1910s | 46 | 93 |
| 1920s | 106 | 154 |
| 1930s | 52 | 117 |
| 1940s | 16 | 70 |
| 1950s | 0 | 41 |
| 1960s | 0 | 5 |
| 1970s | 0 | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Murel is a rare given name that first appeared in U.S. Social Security records in 1892, its peak year. It has never ranked in the Top 1000 and shows a stable trajectory of very low usage, with no recorded revival in recent decades. The name is primarily a variant of Muriel, an Irish name meaning 'bright sea', though it may also derive from Mary. While it has been used for both genders, its association with Muriel leans feminine. Given its scarcity, Murel offers an obscure and historical choice, likely appealing to those seeking a name with 19th-century charm.
Murel is primarily considered a variant of Muriel, an Irish name derived from the Gaelic elements muir 'sea' and geal 'bright', thus 'bright sea'. It may also serve as a diminutive of Mary, which itself comes from the Hebrew name Miriam. The name saw modest use in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the United States, particularly in the 1890s, but has since become rare.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mur, Muri
Sibling names for Murel
Names that share Murel's style, for a brother or sister.
