Namewise

Megan vs Muriel

Megan and Murielcompared on official birth-registration statistics and Namewise's recorded data. This page states what each name's record shows — it never picks a winner or scores one name against the other.

Head to head

Ranks are only compared within one published list and one year. Two ranks from different years, from a boys' and a girls' list, or from different registrars are not comparable, so they are not placed side by side.

  • Republic of Ireland · Girls

    In 1984, Megan was ranked #320 and Muriel #516 among girls in Republic of Ireland.

  • England and Wales · Girls

    In 2024, Megan was ranked #503 and Muriel #3318 among girls in England and Wales.

Where to go next

Comparisons that share a name, a rule or a published list with this one. Each is an existing comparison page with its own evidence — nothing here says these pairs are alike.

Other comparisons involving Megan

Pairs where Megan shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.

Side by side

Side-by-side comparison of Megan, Muriel
FieldMeganMuriel
Record typeEditorially researched profileOfficial statistical record (evidence-only)
Gender usagefemalefemale
MeaningA Welsh diminutive of Margaret that became independently used; only regularly used outside Wales since the mid-20th century.Not yet recorded
OriginWelsh, diminutive of MargaretNot yet recorded
Pronunciation/ˈmɛɡ.an/Not yet recorded
Syllables22
Common variants / nicknamesMeghan, Meagan, MaeganNot yet recorded
Recorded regional usageAU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NZGB-ENW, IE
Most recent popularity observationRepublic of Ireland · Girls #352 (2025)England and Wales · Girls #3318 (2024)
Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score)90/100Not yet recorded
Spelling simplicity (demonstration score)94/10088/100
International familiarity (demonstration score)100/10060/100
Data Confidencehighmedium

What the data shows

  • Megan has a recorded origin (Welsh, diminutive of Margaret); Muriel does not have one recorded yet.
  • Megan and Muriel both have 2 syllables.
  • A meaning is recorded for Megan; Muriel doesn't have one written yet.
  • Both names have recorded usage in GB-ENW, IE.
  • The available evidence gives Megan a "high" Data Confidence level and Muriel a "medium" level — this reflects how complete and corroborated the underlying evidence is, not a judgement of either name.

How each name got here

Megan

Popularity journey

  1. First recorded1958

    First recorded at #98 among girls in New South Wales, Australia in 1958 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.

    New South Wales, Australia · Girls

  2. Highest recorded1996–2025

    Highest recorded position: #3 among girls in England and Wales, in 1998 (recorded 1996–2025).

    England and Wales · Girls

  3. Most recent2025

    Most recently recorded at #816 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.

    England and Wales · Girls

Muriel

Popularity journey

  1. First recorded1964

    First recorded at #215 among girls in Republic of Ireland in 1964 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.

    Republic of Ireland · Girls

  2. Highest recorded1964–1984

    Highest recorded position: #179 among girls in Republic of Ireland, in 1967 (recorded 1964–1984).

    Republic of Ireland · Girls

  3. Most recent2024

    Most recently recorded at #3318 among girls in England and Wales, in 2024.

    England and Wales · Girls