Meriel Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MER-ee-el //ˈmɛr.i.əl//
Origin: Latin; Welsh
Meaning: Latin: 'of the sea'; Welsh: 'beloved'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Meriel has roots in the Hebrew name Miriam, which is believed to mean "sea of bitterness" or "rebelliousness." The name Miriam was adopted into Greek as Maria, which then influenced various forms in Latin and Old French. The transition into English likely occurred through the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, where the Old French form "Mireille" or similar variants contributed to the emergence of Meriel in English-speaking contexts.
The etymological journey reflects a blend of linguistic influences, showcasing the name's adaptability across cultures and languages. Historically, the name Meriel is often associated with medieval and early modern literature, where it appears in various forms.
Notably, the name has been linked to saints and biblical figures, particularly through its connection to Mary, the mother of Jesus, which has been a significant figure in Christian tradition since the early centuries of the Common Era. The name's presence in religious texts and its association with revered figures contributed to its enduring appeal in various cultures, particularly in Christian contexts.
Culturally, Meriel evokes a sense of grace and beauty, often associated with the sea due to its etymological ties to the word "sea." This connection imbues the name with a sense of depth and fluidity, resonating with themes of nature and femininity. The name has also been linked to various literary works, where it is sometimes portrayed as a character embodying strength and resilience.
While diminutive forms like "Meri" may arise in informal contexts, the name Meriel itself carries a historical weight that reflects its rich linguistic and cultural heritage.
Fictional characters named Meriel
The following list of fictional characters named Meriel is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Meriel is a fictional character from the novel The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle. She is a young woman who becomes involved in the quest to find the last unicorn and discovers her own identity along the way.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Meriel, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Meriel. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Meriel was first seen in the United States in 1916.
Meriel has ranked as high as #3657 nationally, which occurred in 1934, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Meriel has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Meriel is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Meriel was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Meriel.
| Year | Total Births | Girl |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 13 | 13 |
| 2011 | 6 | 6 |
| 2010 | 6 | 6 |
| 2009 | 10 | 10 |
| 2008 | 10 | 10 |
| 2006 | 9 | 9 |
| 2005 | 9 | 9 |
| 2004 | 8 | 8 |
| 2002 | 14 | 14 |
| 2001 | 13 | 13 |
| 2000 | 9 | 9 |
| 1999 | 5 | 5 |
| 1998 | 5 | 5 |
| 1997 | 8 | 8 |
| 1996 | 10 | 10 |
| 1995 | 9 | 9 |
| 1994 | 5 | 5 |
| 1993 | 9 | 9 |
| 1992 | 5 | 5 |
| 1991 | 5 | 5 |
| 1989 | 7 | 7 |
| 1988 | 7 | 7 |
| 1984 | 10 | 10 |
| 1982 | 12 | 12 |
| 1981 | 5 | 5 |
| 1972 | 5 | 5 |
| 1969 | 5 | 5 |
| 1965 | 5 | 5 |
| 1953 | 7 | 7 |
| 1952 | 5 | 5 |
| 1951 | 8 | 8 |
| 1950 | 6 | 6 |
| 1949 | 5 | 5 |
| 1948 | 5 | 5 |
| 1946 | 9 | 9 |
| 1943 | 7 | 7 |
| 1939 | 5 | 5 |
| 1937 | 6 | 6 |
| 1935 | 7 | 7 |
| 1934 | 15 | 15 |
| 1933 | 6 | 6 |
| 1932 | 6 | 6 |
| 1929 | 10 | 10 |
| 1927 | 5 | 5 |
| 1925 | 7 | 7 |
| 1924 | 7 | 7 |
| 1920 | 7 | 7 |
| 1919 | 5 | 5 |
| 1917 | 5 | 5 |
| 1916 | 9 | 9 |
Top States for Meriel
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
No state data available for this year.