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I think Mariel is really pretty and feminine. I don't like Muriel at all though. It's much more old fashioned and old-lady sounding.

I like Mariel, because Muriel makes me think of dusty old ladies.. Like from Courage the Cowardly Dog. I know they were babies once too, but somehow Mariel seems fresher, more open and sweet to me.

I prefer Mariel because it feels younger and lighter. Muriel just has an unpleasant feel to me. My own middle name is a takeoff on Muriel (Meryl), and I always wished it had been Mariel instead because it feels adventurous and intrepid. I feel like Mariel would be really strong and curious and intelligent, but not un-feminine. Muriel seems kind of uptight and too serious to me. I agree with you about the colors.

I prefer Muriel, which sounds a lot less awkward and garbled than Mariel.

Mariel is nice, but there's something affected about it. The movie, "Muriel's Wedding" showcased the difference perfectly. The name Muriel (in the movie) is earthy and real. Mariel is plastic. Maybe the movie has influenced me more than I realize. But I remember thinking along these lines before one character dressed down Muriel for changing her name and becoming a phoney. Besides, I loved the way Muriel's sister Joan said her name in that movie, "Oh, Muuuurrrrriel. You're terrible."

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I put Muriel with names like Iris and Joan; no-nonsense WWII era names that don't need sparkle to shine. They have a kind of "sensible shoes chic" that I love.

This message was edited 12/19/2011, 6:45 PM

I prefer Muriel to Mariel, though both have the frumpy old lady feel to them.