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Original poster

Muriel or Beryl?

274 replies

ItsaMeMarioooo · 21/09/2026 20:44

Which do you think sounds nicer for a baby girl?

I originally suggested Muriel after my Grandma and then my husband decided to throw his Nanas name into the ring (Beryl) and he suggested that maybe we use one as a middle name as a compromise.. I’m not really keen on using both as it’s too rhyme-y, do you agree? We are both on the fence about which to choose, so thought we’d gather opinions here!

If you choose “both” please comment which order you’d put the names :)
Thank you!!

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Katiesaidthat · 23/09/2026 14:16

ItsaMeMarioooo · 21/09/2026 21:09

But we haven’t picked an ‘awful’ name because people will have an opinion regardless.. we’ve picked names that we think are lovely and have a connection to our family. I wouldn’t be considering either if I thought they were awful! My other Grandmother was called Phyllis, and I don’t like that at all, so we didn’t consider it.

As an aside, husband doesn’t like Meryl at all unfortunately.

OP I love both my grandmothers to bits. But hell would freeze over before I used their names. My DD doesn´t deserve the "oh were called after one of your grannies" comments. My mum´s cousin was a Beryl, she´s in her 80s. A schoolfriend was a Muriel (a slightly better name, I admit) but we are in our 50s and it was already disappearing as a name even then.
Meryl I Iike. The PP who suggested it is a genius. (oh shame your husband doesn´t like it).

Sunbringer · 23/09/2026 07:27

Neither those are names I’ve only heard given to dogs tbh. However Beryl is a bit nicer… why not Emerald which is a form of beryl?

Specialneedsnightmare · 22/09/2026 22:35

Both hideous names. Of all the beautiful names out there those two must be two of the absolute worst

I bet she will hate it as a teenager!

CreativeGreen · 22/09/2026 22:25

Might’ve believed you if it hadn’t turned out these grannies’ middle names were Edna and Gladys.

Seajaye · 22/09/2026 22:20

Beryl is a jewel name like Ruby, Emerald , Jade, Opal, and Pearl to which Amber has more recently been added.

Beryl is a pretty gem stone. I prefer it to Muriel but not keen on either TBH. I agree that Meryl is a far nicer option as a compromise and a nod to both names. My daughter was at school with a Merryn, which I thought was a lovely name. I also met someone a bit older than me called Merlyn which was usual then, and still is.

twosmallaxolotls · 22/09/2026 20:06

This is arousing strong feelings, OP 😁

twosmallaxolotls · 22/09/2026 20:06

Shloopie · 22/09/2026 20:04

No

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Ok

Shloopie · 22/09/2026 20:04

twosmallaxolotls · 22/09/2026 20:04

Or maybe people who just liked the name.

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No

twosmallaxolotls · 22/09/2026 20:04

Shloopie · 22/09/2026 20:00

6 Beryls born in 2025. Good Lord.

Half the parents must be hipsters and the other half are probably Plymouth Brethren.

Or maybe people who just liked the name.

Shloopie · 22/09/2026 20:00

6 Beryls born in 2025. Good Lord.

Half the parents must be hipsters and the other half are probably Plymouth Brethren.

Calliopespa · 22/09/2026 19:38

Letterleaf · 22/09/2026 19:09

There’s a child in my child’s class called Balonz in fact. Great name.

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Oh dear is it becoming 😧common?

Dee51121 · 22/09/2026 19:38

I haven't read through all the replies in this thread, so not sure if that has already been covered but I looked up how many babies were named Muriel and Beryl in England and Wales over the last couple of years.

Muriel
2024 - 7
2025 - not showing, so must be less than 3 or none at all

Beryl
2024 - 7
2025 - 6

Based on that I would be inclined to go with Beryl. I wouldn't usually recommend going with the more popular name, but I think it may be beneficial in this situation.

Someonesomewhereinsummertime · 22/09/2026 19:15

Muriel

twosmallaxolotls · 22/09/2026 19:15

Letterleaf · 22/09/2026 19:09

There’s a child in my child’s class called Balonz in fact. Great name.

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Excellent 👌🏼

Letterleaf · 22/09/2026 19:09

twosmallaxolotls · 22/09/2026 18:33

If a child was named Balonz, no-one in school would turn a hair.

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There’s a child in my child’s class called Balonz in fact. Great name.

twosmallaxolotls · 22/09/2026 18:33

Calliopespa · 22/09/2026 17:58

Is that a green light for Balonz? Asking for a friend...

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If a child was named Balonz, no-one in school would turn a hair.

Banjas · 22/09/2026 18:12

Neither.
Sorry

Calliopespa · 22/09/2026 18:00

Purplecatshopaholic · 22/09/2026 17:50

Baby Muriel… nope. Baby Beryl… nope. Sorry, they are both terrible op.

It really is no different from Baby Maud or Baby Daphne, and there are loads of both these days.

None of them are my style but Beryl and Daphne are no worse than a lot of these reinvigorated oldies- and imo marginally better. At least Muriel has three syllables not the dreaded two syllable thump, thump.

Calliopespa · 22/09/2026 17:58

twosmallaxolotls · 22/09/2026 16:36

We do! Even the most unusual or surprising name means nothing a few days in. Plus the kids are very accepting..

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Is that a green light for Balonz? Asking for a friend...

JimmyGrimble · 22/09/2026 17:53

I like both OP. If I was combining them I’d go with Meriel. But there’s nothing wrong with either of your choices.

Purplecatshopaholic · 22/09/2026 17:50

Baby Muriel… nope. Baby Beryl… nope. Sorry, they are both terrible op.

twosmallaxolotls · 22/09/2026 17:49

Excellentsausages · 22/09/2026 17:41

Ah so it's not the sound of the name? I suspect for a lot of posters it has similar associations/connotations giving it the 'ugliness'. I don't think that should affect OP's child - too young for smock dresses etc to be anything other than period costumes they'd see in a museum.

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Indeed. There was a time when the name Olive was associated with the dull woman from "On The Buses" and no-one used it.
Now it seems reasonably popular and the vibe has changed.

Excellentsausages · 22/09/2026 17:41

Empress13 · 22/09/2026 17:36

Nah sorry Beryl will never be cute! I picture Beryl as wearing. 1950’s smock dress fag in corner of mouth with a dish mop in hand !

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Ah so it's not the sound of the name? I suspect for a lot of posters it has similar associations/connotations giving it the 'ugliness'. I don't think that should affect OP's child - too young for smock dresses etc to be anything other than period costumes they'd see in a museum.

twosmallaxolotls · 22/09/2026 17:40

Pingsung · 22/09/2026 17:34

But it will be considered cute after a while because it will belong to a cute toddler. Thats what happens and has done for generations. It just takes a few parents to use it.

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Yes, fashions in names come round.

twosmallaxolotls · 22/09/2026 17:39

Empress13 · 22/09/2026 17:36

Nah sorry Beryl will never be cute! I picture Beryl as wearing. 1950’s smock dress fag in corner of mouth with a dish mop in hand !

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A few years ago, you could have said that about Elsie or Maud. Plenty of those in schools!