Muriel (Baby Name)

Medieval English form of a Celtic name which was probably related to the Irish name MUIRGEL. The Normans brought it to England from Brittany. In the modern era it was popularized by a character from Dinah Craik’s novel ‘John Halifax, Gentleman’ (1856). Means “bright sea”, derived from Gaelic muir “sea” and geal “bright”[1].

One of the names Mrs. Lethbury wanted to give her adopted child instead of Jane. In 1900-1910 was steadily gaining the popularity to reach its peak in 1922[2].

Mrs. Lethbury did not want her daughter to have an ordinary name and she found the name “Jane” dreadful. Mrs. Lethbury´s wish came true, and it was something special for her; therefore, she wanted the name of her daughter to be special too. In the conversation about other names Mr. Lethbury, who stays unyielding, says to his wife: “Well, we don´t know that she won´t be dreadful. She may grow up a Jane.” (Wharton. “The Mission of Jane”). There are two prophecies in this line: firstly, Jane will grow up “a plain Jane”, a bluestocking, who has no perspectives to marry despite of her not being ugly; secondly, Jane will be something “dreadful” for her parents and will cost them many deepened lines on their faces before she marries. This way, Edith Wharton sets a signal for the reader to be aware of the character.

Sources:

[1] Source

[2] Source

"The Mission of Jane"