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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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CrazyMidget · 21/09/2026 21:51

They’re both just awful. Sorry, OP, but it’s 2026, not 1926.

TheLarch · 21/09/2026 21:53

I quite like Beryl - I know a baby Topaz :D

I'd prefer Meriel rather than Muriel though.

Original poster
ItsaMeMarioooo · 21/09/2026 21:56

I’m so glad there are a few of you who see the loveliness of the names! I’m actually leaning more towards Beryl now, I agree that it does sound really pretty.

I also don’t hate Beryl the peril…she sounds like a badass 😁 don’t mess with Beryl the peril!! Not ideal if she’s a shy, quiet girl, granted.

OP posts:
Happyjoe · 21/09/2026 21:58

BobbieTables · 21/09/2026 21:13

I like Muriel but it does bring to mind 'you're terrible Muriel!'

100%, stuck with us in this house since the film.

ThatJadeSquid · 21/09/2026 21:58

Neither - both are awful! Please don't do this to your child.

Cardhey · 21/09/2026 21:58

Both terrible names. Just awful.

ParmoParmoPARMO · 21/09/2026 21:59

Another vote for Buriel.
Not Burial...

MagicalMystical · 21/09/2026 22:00

I mean, to each their own and all that but on behalf of your daughter I beg of you to step away from those names.

Thatcannotberight · 21/09/2026 22:00

Hopefully, never come to Plymouth. Beryl are the for hire bikes that were Boris bikes in London. 😬. Apparently in other places too.

Lotsofsnacks · 21/09/2026 22:01

I know this a wind up but bring Beryl back! Not known one since was little and there was are lady called it down our street.

2dogsandabudgie · 21/09/2026 22:01

Would children today even know who Beryl The Peril was?

Thatcannotberight · 21/09/2026 22:02

What about Merryn? A nice name.

Happyjoe · 21/09/2026 22:03

As a middle name either could work esp if have a pretty old fashioned first name too. As a first name, no, I wouldn't go there on either.
Muriels wedding.. and Beryl is just a bit.. ugly. Sorry. Some old fashioned names belong in the past for a reason.

Floppyearedlab · 21/09/2026 22:03

LyraLupin · 21/09/2026 20:45

Combine them as Meryl

That’s a lovely idea. And Meryl is a nice name!

PrettyLittleRose · 21/09/2026 22:07

Happyjoe · 21/09/2026 22:03

As a middle name either could work esp if have a pretty old fashioned first name too. As a first name, no, I wouldn't go there on either.
Muriels wedding.. and Beryl is just a bit.. ugly. Sorry. Some old fashioned names belong in the past for a reason.

I agree. Beryl is honestly horrible 😖 Sorry @ItsaMeMarioooo you must surely know that most people are going to cringe when you introduce your child. Poor girl is going to have such a hard time at school! (And will be teased at work too.)

If this is serious, please don't call your child Beryl. Muriel isn't much better.

I agree with maybe calling her Meryl. Nice name.

Peanutlicious · 21/09/2026 22:07

Sorry op, not keen on either. The Beryl Bike association would put me off too.

SnowFrogJelly · 21/09/2026 22:07

Neither!

Original poster
ItsaMeMarioooo · 21/09/2026 22:08

Ok, I’ve googled a couple of he references made on here, and I’ve never heard of the film Muriel’s wedding, so I just don’t have that association with the name. And Beryl the peril is a beano character..I’ve definitely heard of the beano, but am not familiar with that character…she’s not the ‘Beryl the peril’ I had imagined though 😂
..still, I don’t share that association so it’s not really a consideration for me. I still think they’re lovely names 🤷‍♀️

OP posts:
KittyPup · 21/09/2026 22:08

Neither! Please don’t do that to a baby.

LittleGreenDuck · 21/09/2026 22:09

I actually like Beryl! Go for it OP. If Barbara and Maud can come back, why not Beryl? It’s not an awful name.

ChocolateCinderToffee · 21/09/2026 22:10

Sodthesystem · 21/09/2026 20:47

Yeah that could work.

Show quote history

Or Meriel.

Original poster
ItsaMeMarioooo · 21/09/2026 22:14

I seriously don’t understand why people think a child (or an adult at work) would be teased for such ordinary names! And why would people cringe? Huh?? ….but Meryl, is nice? Beryl, with an M is a nice name, but the ‘B’ makes the name horrible 😂

Sorry, I do appreciate your thoughts…I just don’t get the hate?!

OP posts:
Pingsung · 21/09/2026 22:17

Both names are completely fine. People just cant imagine them on a small child because they are the names of previous generations. Edith, Florence ,Maud , Dorothy were all old lady names until about 8 years ago. Now they are everywhere.

Springpartyideas · 21/09/2026 22:18

I really would watch the film Muriel’s wedding (it’s a great watch) and also get some of the Beryl the Peril magazines and just check that you’re happy with the names afterwards.
I’d say that many of the adults who come into contact with your child will associate their name with those two references.

2dogsandabudgie · 21/09/2026 22:20

PrettyLittleRose · 21/09/2026 22:07

I agree. Beryl is honestly horrible 😖 Sorry @ItsaMeMarioooo you must surely know that most people are going to cringe when you introduce your child. Poor girl is going to have such a hard time at school! (And will be teased at work too.)

If this is serious, please don't call your child Beryl. Muriel isn't much better.

I agree with maybe calling her Meryl. Nice name.

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I don't think they would have a hard time at school. Young children wouldn't know which names are considered old fashioned plus there's so many ridiculous names now anyway that Beryl or Muriel sound quite normal.