Meaning: Its source is an Old French expression meaning "Blackbird."

Variant Forms: Merle

Narrative: This name might have derived from the Irish Gaelic Muirgheal and Scots Gaelic Muireall, both meaning ''sparkling sea.''

Meaning: Its source is Muirgheal, an Irish Gaelic name meaning "Sparkling sea."

Variant Forms: Merle

Narrative: The Scots Gaelic form of Muirgheal is Muireall, and it is likely that this also played a part in the creation of the name Muriel.