112+ Irish Names Starting with M
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Editor-in-ChiefUpdated Dec 5, 2025112 Names
Irish M names are among the most beloved in Irish tradition. These names often honor the Virgin Mary or carry meanings of sea, bitter, or wished-for child. M names feel timeless and deeply rooted.
M names offer many style options from classic to unique. Decide if you want a well-known Irish M name or something more distinctive. Both paths lead to beautiful choices.
find 112 Irish names beginning with M in this list. Each name includes its story and meaning. find the one that calls to you.
Popular Names
A quick look at popularity across irish names starting with m can help you shortlist names that feel both meaningful and well-recognised.
Irish Names Starting with M for Girls
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"She who Intoxicates"
- Description:An Irish name linked to legendary figures, often interpreted as associated with intoxicating or enchanting influence.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"Son of Cionaodh"
- Description:Modern given-name use of an Irish surname, traditionally interpreted as son of a personal name, with etymology not uniformly agreed.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"Sea Warrior"
- Description:From an Irish surname derived from Gaelic elements, it is increasingly used as a given name in Anglophone settings.
- Origin:Scottish, Irish
- Meaning:"Son of Ciona"
- Description:Modern Anglicized form of a Gaelic surname, now used as a feminine given name in English-speaking contexts.
- Origin:Scottish, Irish
- Meaning:"Son of the Fair Hero"
- Description:Surname-derived given name from Gaelic patronymic forms, popularized in the United States and used for all genders.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Descendant of Madadhán"
- Description:Madden derives from an Irish surname, traditionally connected to a Gaelic personal name associated with a small hound.
- Origin:Latin, Irish
- Meaning:"Star of the Sea"
- Description:An Irish form related to Mary, with traditional Christian interpretations such as star of the sea, though etymology is complex.
- Origin:Irish, Hebrew
- Meaning:"Bitter; Beloved"
- Description:An Irish form associated with Mary, it inherits complex traditional glosses such as bitterness or beloved, depending on interpretive lineage.
- Origin:Irish, Arabic, Italian
- Meaning:"Wish; Noble Lady"
- Description:Used in several traditions, including Irish and Arabic contexts, with meanings ranging from wish to honorific title.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Intoxicating; Joyful"
- Description:Modern spelling variant of Maeve, from Irish Medb, often glossed with intoxicating or strong, paired with -vyn styling.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Sea Warrior"
- Description:A diminutive of Murphy, from Irish Gaelic roots, used as a given name with informal or affectionate register.
- Origin:Irish, French
- Meaning:"Bright Sea"
- Description:Used in medieval Britain and France, it is often connected to Celtic elements and later revived in nineteenth-century English usage.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"Intoxicating"
- Description:Maeven is a modern variant related to Maeve, from Irish tradition, often glossed as intoxicating, with usage influenced by literary associations.
- Origin:Irish, Gaelic
- Meaning:"Great Queen"
- Description:Irish mythological name from Gaelic elements often interpreted as great queen, associated with sovereignty and warfare motifs.
- Origin:Irish, Modern American
- Meaning:"Intoxicating; Great Joy"
- Description:A modern elaboration influenced by Maeve traditions, associated with Irish legend and interpretations of intoxicating or joyful qualities.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"Merry or Lively"
- Description:Name connected to Irish Gaelic surname traditions, sometimes adopted as a given name with varied interpretations.
- Origin:Irish, Modern American
- Meaning:"Intoxicating"
- Description:Variant spelling of Maeve, Irish name traditionally interpreted as intoxicating, with simplified modern orthography.
- Origin:Irish, Latin
- Meaning:"Star of the Sea"
- Description:Maureen is an Irish form associated with Mary, historically linked to devotional interpretations of Mary’s epithet.
- Origin:Irish, Greek
- Meaning:"Pearl"
- Description:Irish Gaelic form of Margaret, derived from Greek for pearl and strongly associated with Irish linguistic heritage.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Of the Sea"
- Description:Name related to Irish Muirin traditions, often interpreted through sea imagery and used as a modern unisex option.
- Origin:Irish, Hebrew
- Meaning:"Beloved"
- Description:Irish diminutive of Máire, linked to Mary traditions, used as a feminine name with strong Gaelic identity.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Intoxicating"
- Description:Variant of Maeve, from Irish tradition and often glossed as intoxicating, with strong mythological associations.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Sea Warrior"
- Description:Murphee is a stylized form of Murphy, an Irish surname historically glossed with sea and warrior semantic components.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"Little Dog"
- Description:Madigan originates as an Irish surname from Gaelic forms, commonly glossed as little dog or similar epithet.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"Descendant of Mael"
- Description:Irish surname-to-given-name from Gaelic O Maelain patterns, historically connected with devotional or tonsured follower elements.
- Origin:Irish, Scottish
- Meaning:"Son of Art"
- Description:Surname used as a given name, from Gaelic patronymic forms commonly interpreted as descendant or son of Art.
- Origin:Irish, Scottish
- Meaning:"Son of Aodh"
- Description:Primarily a surname-derived given name from Gaelic patronymics, often interpreted as son of Aodh, linked to fire or deity names.
- Origin:English, Irish
- Meaning:"Myrrh; Home"
- Description:Myleen is a modern name form possibly influenced by Eileen or Mylene variants, with no single agreed etymology.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"Son of Odhar"
- Description:Maguire is an Irish patronymic surname occasionally used as a given name, historically meaning son of Odhar.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Star of the Sea"
- Description:Maileen is often treated as a diminutive related to Mary name-forms, carrying the traditional star-of-the-sea gloss.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Beloved"
- Description:Merna is a relatively rare given name in English records, possibly linked to place or surname sources with uncertain meaning.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"Beloved"
- Description:Modern Irish-associated name often interpreted as beloved, though historical usage and derivations vary across naming references.
- Origin:Scottish, Irish
- Meaning:"Son of the Fair Warrior"
- Description:Mckenley is derived from Gaelic surnames such as McKinley indicating descent from a fair or bright warrior.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"Intoxicating"
- Description:An Irish Gaelic form of Medb, prominent in mythology and traditionally glossed with an intoxicating or powerful meaning.
- Origin:Irish, Modern English
- Meaning:"Bitter/Sea"
- Description:A variant influenced by Melanie and Maloney spellings, with meaning contingent on whether it is treated as given name or surname based.
- Origin:Irish, Italian
- Meaning:"Bitter/Sea; Ewe"
- Description:Marra appears as a surname and given name in multiple traditions, with etymology varying and often unclear in isolation.
- Origin:Irish, Modern English
- Meaning:"Born of Fire"
- Description:Mckennah is a modern spelling variant of McKenna, commonly linked to Irish tradition and sometimes glossed as born of fire.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"Bitter Beloved"
- Description:Irish Gaelic form of Mary, ultimately from Hebrew via Greek and Latin, with traditional meanings debated in scholarship.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"Pearl"
- Description:Meegan is an Irish variant of Megan, ultimately linked to Margaret traditions meaning pearl.
- Origin:Irish, American
- Meaning:"Son of the Fair One"
- Description:A modern spelling of McKenna, from Irish surname origins, used as a feminine given name in North America.
- Origin:Irish, Spanish
- Meaning:"Bitterness; Rebellion"
- Description:Used as an Irish form of Máire or a Spanish surname-based name, with meanings depending on the source tradition.
- Origin:Irish, Scottish
- Meaning:"Sea Bright"
- Description:Murriel is a variant form associated with Gaelic traditions, often linked to words for sea and brightness.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Pearl"
- Description:A spelling variant related to Megan forms, ultimately connected to Margaret traditions commonly glossed as pearl.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Born of Fire"
- Description:Mckena is a spelling variant related to McKenna, originating as an Irish surname with interpretations involving fire.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"Born of Fire"
- Description:A modern spelling of McKenna-derived names, often glossed as born of fire from Gaelic-based surname interpretations.
- Origin:Hebrew, Irish
- Meaning:"Who Is Like God"
- Description:Michaeleen is an Irish-influenced feminine form built from Michael traditions, retaining the theophoric meaning who is like God.
- Origin:Hebrew, Irish, English
- Meaning:"Who Is Like God"
- Description:A variant of Michaela, from a Hebrew rhetorical question expressing incomparability with the divine.
- Origin:Latin, Irish
- Meaning:"Star of the Sea"
- Description:A variant of Maureen, often treated as a form connected to Mary traditions and the star of the sea devotional interpretation.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Yew Plain"
- Description:May refer to the Irish place-name and surname, associated with County Mayo, ultimately from Gaelic elements linked to a yew plain.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"Grace"
- Description:Variant spelling of Megan, a Welsh-derived name often linked to Margaret traditions, with Irish-influenced orthography in anglophone use.
- Origin:Irish, Scottish
- Meaning:"Bright Sea"
- Description:Variant of Muriel, ultimately linked to Gaelic elements for brightness and sea, preserved through medieval and later usage.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Chief Descendant"
- Description:Used as a given name from an Irish surname, connected to clan-based patronymic formations in historical records.
- Origin:Scottish, Irish
- Meaning:"Son of the Fair One"
- Description:A creative spelling of Mackenzie, from Gaelic patronymics often interpreted as son of the fair one.
- Origin:French, Irish
- Meaning:"Bitter/Sea; Lion"
- Description:Maille is an uncommon name associated with French orthography and Irish Gaelic elements, but a single stable meaning is not universal.
- Origin:Scottish, Irish
- Meaning:"Son of"
- Description:Originally a surname element meaning son, it transitioned to given name use in Anglophone settings during the twentieth century.
- Origin:Hebrew, Irish
- Meaning:"God is gracious"
- Description:Merin appears as a variant near Mairin or Miren forms, with multiple possible linguistic sources and no single secure meaning.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Pearl"
- Description:Meaghen is an alternative spelling of Megan, ultimately from Margaret, commonly glossed as pearl.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Pearl"
- Description:Meaghann is a spelling variant of Megan, from a Welsh and Irish tradition ultimately linked to Margaret and the pearl meaning.
- Origin:Hebrew, Irish
- Meaning:"Who Is Like God"
- Description:Variant of Michaela forms, derived from Hebrew meaning who is like God, with spelling influenced by regional traditions.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Bitter/Sea"
- Description:A modern spelling associated with Caitlin traditions, it reflects contemporary orthographic variation rather than a distinct etymology.
- Origin:Irish, Latin
- Meaning:"Of the Sea"
- Description:A lengthened variant related to Maureen, commonly tied to the Mary tradition and sometimes glossed with sea associations.
- Origin:Hebrew, Irish
- Meaning:"Bitter; Pure"
- Description:Compound name combining Mary and Kathleen, joining Hebrew and Irish traditions with conventional meanings bitter and pure.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Devotee of Saint John"
- Description:A surname derived given name related to Maloney, historically traced to Irish lineage names and adapted into English use.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"Intoxicating"
- Description:Maebh is the Irish form of Medb, a name from early literature commonly interpreted as intoxicating.
- Origin:Irish, English, Modern
- Meaning:"Sea; Grace"
- Description:Murlean appears as a rare given name possibly influenced by Irish surname patterns, though etymology is not stable.
- Origin:Irish, Scottish
- Meaning:"Dear; Beloved"
- Description:Gaelic-derived name associated with affectionate meanings, appearing in Irish and Scottish contexts with variant spellings.
- Origin:Latin, Irish
- Meaning:"From Mauretania"
- Description:Mauria is a feminine form linked to Maur- names, historically connected to Mauretania and later adapted in European usage.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"My Darling"
- Description:Anglicized from an Irish endearment phrase, it is used as a given name to convey affection within Irish diaspora naming.
- Origin:English, Irish
- Meaning:"Grace"
- Description:Mickenna is a modern spelling variant of McKenna-derived forms, with meaning typically inherited from surname etymology rather than redefined.
- Origin:English, Irish
- Meaning:"Bitter/Sea"
- Description:Makensy is a contemporary spelling variant related to Mackenzie forms, commonly used without an explicitly stated semantic interpretation.
Irish Names Starting with M for Boys
- Origin:Scottish, Irish
- Meaning:"Son of"
- Description:Originally a surname element meaning son, it transitioned to given name use in Anglophone settings during the twentieth century.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Descendant of Madadhán"
- Description:Madden derives from an Irish surname, traditionally connected to a Gaelic personal name associated with a small hound.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"Sea Warrior"
- Description:From an Irish surname derived from Gaelic elements, it is increasingly used as a given name in Anglophone settings.
- Origin:Irish, Scottish
- Meaning:"Son of Aodh"
- Description:Primarily a surname-derived given name from Gaelic patronymics, often interpreted as son of Aodh, linked to fire or deity names.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Son of the Servant"
- Description:From surname traditions linked to Mac forms, the name is often interpreted as a patronymic meaning son of a servant.
- Origin:Irish, Hebrew
- Meaning:"Who Is Like God"
- Description:Mick is a traditional nickname for Michael, carrying the Hebrew rhetorical meaning associated with incomparability to God.
- Origin:Scottish, Irish
- Meaning:"Son of the Fair Hero"
- Description:Surname-derived given name from Gaelic patronymic forms, popularized in the United States and used for all genders.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"Descendant of Mael"
- Description:Irish surname-to-given-name from Gaelic O Maelain patterns, historically connected with devotional or tonsured follower elements.
- Origin:Irish, Hebrew
- Meaning:"My Messenger"
- Description:Anglicized Irish form related to Malachi, associated with the biblical prophet and the meaning messenger.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Son of Aodh"
- Description:Macoy reflects Gaelic patronymic patterns meaning son of a personal name, and it appears as both surname and given name.
- Origin:Scottish Gaelic, Irish
- Meaning:"Son of Aulay"
- Description:Anglicized Gaelic patronymic associated with Mac Amhalghaidh traditions, long used as both surname and given name.
- Origin:Scottish, Irish
- Meaning:"Servant of John"
- Description:Originally a surname from Gaelic Mac forms, now used as a given name with patronymic associations.
- Origin:Scottish, Irish
- Meaning:"Son of Aodh"
- Description:Mackey originates as a Scottish and Irish surname from a patronymic form, later used occasionally as a given name.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"Monk"
- Description:From an Irish surname associated with ecclesiastical contexts, often linked to Latin-derived forms referencing monastic life.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"Son of the Helper"
- Description:Mcguire is an Irish surname used as a given name, reflecting clan lineage and Anglicized patronymic structure.
- Origin:Hebrew, Irish
- Meaning:"Messenger of God"
- Description:A variant of Malachi, from Hebrew messenger terminology, with spelling shaped by modern and regional preferences.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"Son of Cárthach"
- Description:An Irish surname used as a given name, derived from a patronymic meaning son of Cárthach in Gaelic tradition.
- Origin:Irish, Scottish
- Meaning:"Son of Art"
- Description:Surname used as a given name, from Gaelic patronymic forms commonly interpreted as descendant or son of Art.
- Origin:Irish, Scottish
- Meaning:"Son of Amhalghaidh"
- Description:Anglicized Gaelic surname form used as a given name, historically indicating descent from an Amhalghaidh lineage.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Yew Plain"
- Description:May refer to the Irish place-name and surname, associated with County Mayo, ultimately from Gaelic elements linked to a yew plain.
- Origin:Irish, French
- Meaning:"Bright Sea"
- Description:Used in medieval Britain and France, it is often connected to Celtic elements and later revived in nineteenth-century English usage.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"Son of Odhar"
- Description:Maguire is an Irish patronymic surname occasionally used as a given name, historically meaning son of Odhar.
- Origin:English, Irish
- Meaning:"Meadow"
- Description:From a surname associated with meadow or boundary landscapes, used occasionally as a given name in anglophone contexts.
- Origin:Irish, Latin
- Meaning:"Star of the Sea"
- Description:Maureen is an Irish form associated with Mary, historically linked to devotional interpretations of Mary’s epithet.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Descendant of Mark"
- Description:Markey derives from an Irish surname meaning descendant of Mark and occasionally functions as a given name.
- Origin:Latin, Irish
- Meaning:"Dedicated to Mars"
- Description:Variant of Marcus, from Latin associated with Mars, also appearing in Irish naming through anglicized forms.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"Son of Cionaodh"
- Description:Modern given-name use of an Irish surname, traditionally interpreted as son of a personal name, with etymology not uniformly agreed.
- Origin:Latin, Irish
- Meaning:"Hand"
- Description:Used as a given name and surname, it derives from Latin for hand and appears in Irish naming contexts.
- Origin:Irish, Scottish
- Meaning:"Sea Bright"
- Description:Murriel is a variant form associated with Gaelic traditions, often linked to words for sea and brightness.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"Bee/Beautiful"
- Description:An Irish surname historically, occasionally used as a given name, with etymology debated and meanings not consistently reported.
- Origin:Scottish, Irish
- Meaning:"Son of Aodh"
- Description:Maccoy reflects a surname-derived form related to Gaelic patronymics, often interpreted as son of Aodh or a similar ancestor name.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Son of Cad"
- Description:Surnominal given name from Irish patronymic patterns, often glossed as son of Cad or related Gaelic personal names.
- Origin:Irish, Scottish
- Meaning:"Son of the Smith"
- Description:A surname-derived given name associated with McGuire or Mag Uidhir forms, adapted in English-speaking contexts with variable interpretation.
- Origin:English, Irish
- Meaning:"Myrrh; Grace"
- Description:Rare personal name possibly a variant of Myron or an Anglicized form of Irish names, but meaning is not settled.
- Origin:Irish, Scottish
- Meaning:"Son of Cormac"
- Description:Surname-derived given name from Mac Cormaic forms, historically interpreted as descendant of Cormac.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Dark Skinned"
- Description:Commonly a diminutive of Maurice or Morris, with Irish and English usage reflecting different underlying name histories.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"Son of the Steward"
- Description:A surname-derived given name from Gaelic lineage naming, with meanings tied to stewardship and family descent.
- Origin:Irish, Scottish
- Meaning:"Son of Aodh"
- Description:A Gaelic-derived surname form referencing Aodh, sometimes used as a given name to preserve family identity.
- Origin:Irish, Scottish
- Meaning:"Son of Cain"
- Description:Mccain is a Gaelic-derived surname used as a given name, historically interpreted as a patronymic meaning son of Cain.
- Origin:Hebrew, Irish
- Meaning:"Who Is Like God"
- Description:An Irish and Scottish Gaelic variant of Michael, derived from Hebrew and interpreted as a rhetorical question about divine likeness.
- Origin:Irish, Hebrew
- Meaning:"Great or Instructor"
- Description:An Irish surname meaning great, also overlapping with Hebrew given-name usage, it appears across distinct linguistic traditions with different senses.
- Origin:Scottish, Irish
- Meaning:"Son of Henry"
- Description:Patronymic surname meaning descendant of Henry, occasionally used as a given name, reflecting lineage based naming and family commemoration.
Why Choose Irish Names Starting with M?
Names from irish names starting with m tend to feel intentional and expressive, which is why they remain a favorite for parents seeking both beauty and substance.
Written by
Grace RoyalBaby Name Expert & Lead Editor
Editor-in-Chief with 15+ years in baby naming and linguistics. Columbia University M.A. in Linguistics.
Classic NamesName EtymologyCultural Naming Traditions