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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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lucky45 · 21/09/2026 21:51

Muriel is wedding to me, but appreciate that’s an old reference entirely irrelevant to a baby girl in 2026. However I love Beryl, pretty to say and a lovely meaning, and have wondered why it isn’t more popular as that generations names come back. I also had a granny Gladys and love that too, such a happy, vibrant name as she was.

Original poster
ItsaMeMarioooo · 21/09/2026 21:50

SerendipityCat · 21/09/2026 21:45

This has to be a wind-up. I suspect the op is responsible for the other thread asking about naming her daughter "Mildred". They're both too contrived to be real.

Nope, and I’m happy for Mumsnet to confirm it’s not me. I don’t have any other threads on this topic.
But also, Mildred is hardly a preposterous name! Huh??

OP posts:
Revise15 · 21/09/2026 21:50

Sorry, but i can’t imagine in years to come, a teenage girl being happy with either of those name choices.

CrowsInMyGarden · 21/09/2026 21:49

@ladygindivaMeryl is slightly better than Burial I guess

BadBadCat · 21/09/2026 21:47

Ha ha, this is definitely a wind-up!

AntiHop · 21/09/2026 21:47

I LOVE the name Beryl. I considered it for dd2, along with Christsbel. Dh said no to them both.

Luddite26 · 21/09/2026 21:45

Slightyamusedandsilly · 21/09/2026 20:46

Neither. Both awful.

This. bloody awful.
I'm sure people are just making their kids look like laughing stocks with names these days

SerendipityCat · 21/09/2026 21:45

This has to be a wind-up. I suspect the op is responsible for the other thread asking about naming her daughter "Mildred". They're both too contrived to be real.

PrettyLittleRose · 21/09/2026 21:44

teraculum29 · 21/09/2026 21:43

sorry Op,
Are you having 100 year old baby??

😆 In 1935!

Original poster
ItsaMeMarioooo · 21/09/2026 21:44

This is a first name, not middle name.

I also want to add that I do appreciate the opinions, including those (most of you 😅) who think the names are awful.

OP posts:
teraculum29 · 21/09/2026 21:43

sorry Op,
Are you having 100 year old baby??

Coconutter24 · 21/09/2026 21:43

Don’t combine it sounds too much like murial burial

Ohnobackagain · 21/09/2026 21:41

If you go for Beryl, be prepared for ‘Beryl the Peril’ as a nickname, which happened to my sister. I think it’s hilarious and she hates it 😬

NChannnnge · 21/09/2026 21:41

LyraLupin · 21/09/2026 20:45

Combine them as Meryl

Or Buriel

Original poster
ItsaMeMarioooo · 21/09/2026 21:41

I can’t believe the number of people thinking this is a wind up! They’re just names.. I could understand if I’d come here contemplating the name Fruitoftheloom or something 😂
We aren’t that bothered about names “coming back around” in fashion to be fair, and we honestly didn’t think either name was so outlandish that our daughter would be considered a “poor kid” so that took me by surprise a little. I don’t really get some of the associations that people are making with the names, so perhaps that’s what is giving some people a different perspective.

I also don’t think it’s unfathomable that my husband doesn’t like Meryl…he said he associates the name with Meryl Streep, and simply doesn’t like it the way he likes our other picks.

OP posts:
Genevieva · 21/09/2026 21:40

A sapphire is a type of beryl, so it is a similar choice to using ruby, pearl or aurora as a name. I think it's absolutely fine.

Needmorelego · 21/09/2026 21:40

Ok.... seriously.
Of the two if I had to pick one I would go for Beryl. It could be shortened to Berry with is kind of cute.

mumumental · 21/09/2026 21:39

You can’t be serious.Both awful.

5289843DM · 21/09/2026 21:36

Use the family names as middle names.

Name Muriel Beryl Surname

Then there are no comments/opinions on 'You used that nans name as a first name and hers as only a middle name'. Any other names you both like? I personally don't like either at all, but its not my child.

Jadedmoorhen · 21/09/2026 21:36

SirChenjins · 21/09/2026 21:20

Buriel - to rhyme with Muriel but with a twist. It's not one that would be easily forgotten.

Jimberley as a middle name?

Jojoanna · 21/09/2026 21:35

Letterleaf · 21/09/2026 21:23

You had sex with Beryl?

my vote is definitely for Beurial. It has a cemetarial feel about it

Show quote history

🤣🤣she was my hairdresser

Original poster
ItsaMeMarioooo · 21/09/2026 21:32

PrettyLittleRose · 21/09/2026 21:11

Nope. Neither one. Back to the drawing board @ItsaMeMarioooo

It's not mandatory to name your children after a family member!

We know it’s not mandatory, we like the names!

OP posts:
Nincompoo · 21/09/2026 21:32

Muriel is marginally better than Beryl Op, but that really isn’t saying much.

Theres a reason they haven’t come back round, same as Phyllis, Edna, Gladys etc, They’re all seriously ugly sounding.

Bananacrepewithnuts · 21/09/2026 21:31

girljulian · 21/09/2026 20:47

lol

well done OP

This
😂

TaggieOharasLostBra · 21/09/2026 21:31

I was going to say I much prefer Phyllis! It’s infinitely better than Muriel or Beryl. Both are … awful. Sorry OP and congrats on the baby.