3823+ Baby Names Starting with M
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Creative Names EditorUpdated Oct 8, 20253823 Names
This list features Baby Names Starting with M that many parents find appealing for their new babies today and tomorrow. Every name here has a unique story and meaning behind it that makes it special and worth considering carefully by you. Whether you want a name with deep roots or one that feels fresh and modern, you will find options that speak to you and your family members. Take your time looking through what we have gathered here for you toda
Think about how the name flows with your family surname when spoken aloud in different situations daily and regularly. Say the full name out loud several times to see if it feels natural and comfortable for everyone hearing it always. Consider whether the name might be shortened or nicknamed by friends later in school years ahead. Choose something that feels right for your child at every stage of life growing up ahead of them.
This list contains 3,825 names for you to look through and consider carefully over time patiently and thoughtfully always. Take your time going through each one to see what you think about it honestly and openly today. Make notes of the names you like best as you go through the list methodically and systematically. Share your top choices with family and friends to get their thoughts and feedback too on your selections.
Popular Names
A quick look at popularity across baby names starting with m can help you shortlist names that feel both meaningful and well-recognised.
Baby Names Starting with M for Girls
- Origin:Scandinavian, Latin
- Meaning:"Mine; Beloved"
- Description:Mia is a short international name used as a diminutive in several languages, often associated with possessive or affectionate senses.
- Origin:Slavic, Germanic
- Meaning:"Gracious; Dear"
- Description:Often used as a standalone name or diminutive, it is common across Slavic and wider European naming traditions.
- Origin:English
- Meaning:"Son of Maud"
- Description:Originally an English surname meaning son of Maud, adopted as a given name in modern usage, especially in North America.
- Origin:Sanskrit, Hebrew, Greek
- Meaning:"Illusion or Water"
- Description:Maya appears in several traditions with distinct origins, including Sanskrit philosophical usage and other independent name sources.
- Origin:Hebrew, French, English
- Meaning:"Woman From Magdala"
- Description:An English spelling variant of Madeleine, it traces to Mary Magdalene and a toponym associated with Magdala.
- Origin:Hebrew, Latin
- Meaning:"Bitter Sea"
- Description:Latinized form of Mary, extremely widespread across Christian cultures, with disputed etymology and multiple traditional interpretations.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"She who Intoxicates"
- Description:An Irish name linked to legendary figures, often interpreted as associated with intoxicating or enchanting influence.
- Origin:English, German
- Meaning:"Gentle Strength"
- Description:Commonly a diminutive of Amelia or Mildred, it has long functioned as an affectionate standalone form.
- Origin:Hebrew, French
- Meaning:"Woman From Magdala"
- Description:A French form related to Magdalene, it references the place name Magdala from New Testament tradition.
- Origin:Greek, English
- Meaning:"Song and Music"
- Description:Borrowed from a Greek-derived musical term, it functions as a modern English given name associated with artistry and sound.
- Origin:Greek, Latin, English
- Meaning:"Pearl"
- Description:From Greek margaritēs meaning pearl, it became common through saints and royal bearers across medieval and early modern Europe.
- Origin:Greek
- Meaning:"Dark; Black"
- Description:Melanie derives from Greek terms for dark or black and was disseminated through Christian saints and later European usage.
- Origin:Greek, French
- Meaning:"Pearl"
- Description:French diminutive of Margaret, from Greek margaritēs meaning pearl, long established in Francophone and international usage.
- Origin:Hebrew, Latin, English
- Meaning:"Beloved; Bitterness; Rebellion"
- Description:English form of Maria, with debated Hebrew etymology, central to Christian devotion and long used across Europe.
- Origin:Latin, French
- Meaning:"Flowering Tree"
- Description:A botanical name from the magnolia genus, ultimately honoring botanist Pierre Magnol and associated with flowering trees.
- Origin:Slavic, Modern English
- Meaning:"Gracious"
- Description:Used in multiple languages, sometimes linked to Slavic Mila meanings like gracious or dear, and also as a modern coinage.
- Origin:Scottish Gaelic
- Meaning:"Son of Coinneach"
- Description:From the Scottish Gaelic patronymic Mac Coinnich, it means son of Coinneach and is widely used beyond Scotland today.
- Origin:English, Hebrew
- Meaning:"Bitter; Beloved"
- Description:Diminutive of Mary, with roots in Hebrew Miriam; long established in English-speaking communities.
- Origin:Latin, English
- Meaning:"Lovable"
- Description:Mabel is a medieval English form from Latin, conveying the sense of being lovable or dear.
- Origin:Latin, Spanish, Portuguese
- Meaning:"Of Mary"
- Description:Romance form associated with Maria, used extensively in Iberian and Latin American contexts with devotional naming patterns.
- Origin:Hebrew
- Meaning:"Bitter Sea or Beloved"
- Description:A biblical name borne by Moses’ sister, it has multiple proposed etymologies and enduring use in Jewish and Christian communities.
- Origin:Scottish, English, Greek
- Meaning:"Pearl"
- Description:Commonly a diminutive of Margaret, Maisie is associated with the pearl meaning and has seen renewed popularity through vintage-name revival.
- Origin:Welsh
- Meaning:"Sea-born"
- Description:Welsh name with maritime interpretation, used across genders and established in both Welsh tradition and wider Anglophone naming.
- Origin:Italian, Hawaiian
- Meaning:"From Milan"
- Description:Used as a toponymic Italian surname meaning from Milan; also appears in Hawaiian usage with differing interpretations.
- Origin:English
- Meaning:"Pleasant Wood"
- Description:English surname from place elements, increasingly used as a given name with woodland and locality associations.
- Origin:Greek, English
- Meaning:"Pearl"
- Description:Maggie is a familiar diminutive of Margaret, a name derived from Greek and traditionally interpreted as pearl.
- Origin:Hawaiian
- Meaning:"Calm; Peaceful"
- Description:Hawaiian form associated with Mary traditions and interpreted as calmness, used both within Hawaii and internationally.
- Origin:English
- Meaning:"Grassland Field"
- Description:A modern nature name drawn from the English word for a grassy field, evoking open pastoral landscapes.
- Origin:Hawaiian
- Meaning:"Heavenly, From Above"
- Description:Hawaiian-origin name associated with celestial meaning, used in contemporary contexts with relatively stable semantic interpretation.
- Origin:English
- Meaning:"Mine or Beloved"
- Description:Modern short form often linked to Maya or Mia traditions, with interpretations varying across linguistic and cultural contexts.
- 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:Greek, English
- Meaning:"Honeybee"
- Description:From Greek melissa meaning honeybee, it appears in classical sources and became common in English-speaking countries in the twentieth century.
- Origin:Latin, Slavic, Sanskrit
- Meaning:"Wonderful Peace"
- Description:Used across multiple traditions, including Latin-derived senses of wonder, Slavic roots meaning peace, and South Asian usage with distinct etymologies.
- Origin:English
- Meaning:"Pleasant and Smiling"
- Description:Commonly used as a nickname-based given name, influenced by English words for smiling and amiable demeanor.
- Origin:Hebrew, Arabic
- Meaning:"Beloved or Wished-for Child"
- Description:Arabic and Islamic form of Mary, prominent in the Qur’an and widely used across Muslim-majority and diaspora populations.
- Origin:Hebrew, French, English
- Meaning:"Who Is Like God"
- Description:French feminine form of Michael, it preserves the Hebrew rhetorical meaning and became widespread in English-speaking contexts in the twentieth century.
- Origin:Germanic
- Meaning:"Mighty in Battle"
- Description:Matilda is a Germanic name composed of elements meaning might and battle, long established in Europe.
- Origin:French, English
- Meaning:"Unfortunate"
- Description:From Norman French surname traditions, often interpreted as meaning unfortunate, though semantic certainty varies across etymological accounts.
- Origin:Hebrew, English
- Meaning:"Variant of Mary"
- Description:An English variant associated with Mary and related forms, it reflects longstanding biblical naming continuity and modern phonetic reshaping.
- Origin:Hebrew, English
- Meaning:"Of Magdala"
- Description:Modern spelling variant associated with Madeline and Magdalene traditions, ultimately linked to Magdala as a place-name in biblical geography.
- Origin:French, Hebrew
- Meaning:"From Magdala"
- Description:French form of Magdalene, referencing Magdala in biblical geography and sustained through Christian and European naming histories.
- Origin:Greek, English
- Meaning:"Dark"
- Description:Melany is a spelling variant of Melanie, from Greek meaning dark, and is used in English-speaking contexts alongside traditional forms.
- Origin:Greek, Latin
- Meaning:"Mother Nurturing"
- Description:Maia appears in Greek mythology as a mother figure and in Roman tradition as an associated goddess of growth.
- Origin:English
- Meaning:"Divine Wonder"
- Description:An English virtue-style word-name referring to a wondrous event, frequently used in religiously inflected naming contexts.
- Origin:French, English
- Meaning:"Weapon"
- Description:Variant of Macy, from a surname derived from Old French forms related to mace, later reanalyzed as a feminine given name.
- 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:English
- Meaning:"Son of Maud"
- Description:Originally an English surname meaning son of Maud, now used as a given name with multiple orthographic variants.
- Origin:Hebrew, Arabic
- Meaning:"Bitter; Beloved"
- Description:Form of Mary used across Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions; meanings trace to Miriam with debated Hebrew etymology.
- Origin:Welsh
- Meaning:"Great Lord"
- Description:From Welsh Maredudd traditions, it is commonly interpreted as great lord and has long historical use in Wales and beyond.
- Origin:Scottish Gaelic
- Meaning:"Son of Coinneach"
- Description:McKenzie comes from a Highland surname meaning descendant of Coinneach, now widely adopted as a unisex given name.
- Origin:Latin, French
- Meaning:"Of Mars"
- Description:A French feminine form linked to Marcellus, it carries the Roman association with Mars and appears in hagiographic traditions.
- Origin:English
- Meaning:"Pleasant Meadow"
- Description:Marlee is a modern English name often linked to Marley place-name origins, interpreted as pleasant meadow or boundary clearing.
- Origin:Hebrew, French, English
- Meaning:"From Magdala"
- Description:Modern spelling of Madeline forms, historically linked to Magdalene and the place name Magdala.
- Origin:Latin, French
- Meaning:"Greatest"
- Description:Feminine form related to Maxime and Maximus, it conveys a superlative meaning and rose in popularity in the twentieth century.
- 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:English
- Meaning:"Pearl or Month May"
- Description:Often a short form of May, Mary, or Margaret, it also resonates with the month name in English tradition.
- Origin:Hebrew, English
- Meaning:"Who Is Like God"
- Description:A modern variant of Michaela, it reflects English phonetic respelling of a Hebrew theophoric name in contemporary use.
- Origin:French, Greek
- Meaning:"Pearl"
- Description:French short form of Margaret, from Greek for pearl, established through European literary and cultural transmission.
- Origin:English, American
- Meaning:"Gracious Soldier"
- Description:Mylah is a modern spelling variant of Myla or Mila, influenced by contemporary preference for h-final forms.
- Origin:French, English
- Meaning:"Song Thrush"
- Description:From Old French for song thrush, established in English since the Middle Ages and periodically revived in modern usage.
- Origin:Scandinavian, Latin
- Meaning:"Of the Sea"
- Description:Scandinavian form related to Maria or Marina traditions, often interpreted as of the sea, used widely in Northern Europe.
- Origin:Scottish, English
- Meaning:"Mouth of Roe"
- Description:Monroe is a Scottish surname from a place-name, traditionally analyzed as mouth of the Roe river, now used as given name.
- Origin:Arabic, Hebrew
- Meaning:"Rising and Elevated"
- Description:Often analyzed as a modern form influenced by Aliyah, though usage varies across linguistic and cultural contexts.
- Origin:Hebrew, Sanskrit
- Meaning:"Bitter; Sea"
- Description:A concise name with multiple origins, including Hebrew bitter and associations with sea, also appearing in South Asian traditions.
- Origin:Germanic, Japanese, Persian
- Meaning:"Love; Harbor; Beautiful"
- Description:Occurs in many languages as a diminutive or independent name; meanings vary widely with cultural and linguistic origin.
- Origin:Latin
- Meaning:"Worthy of Admiration"
- Description:From a Latin gerundive meaning admirable, it gained prominence through literary usage and subsequent English naming adoption.
- Origin:English
- Meaning:"Driftwood or Hill By Lake"
- Description:Originating as an English surname and place-name, it is used as a given name with uncertain precise etymological parsing.
- Origin:Greek
- Meaning:"Honey; Sweetness"
- Description:From Greek vocabulary related to honey, used as a feminine given name in several European contexts.
- Origin:Hebrew, French
- Meaning:"Bitter; Beloved; Rebellious"
- Description:French form of Mary, widely used in Europe and beyond, with uncertain original etymology and layered traditional meanings.
- Origin:Latin
- Meaning:"Of the Sea"
- Description:From Latin marinus, it has longstanding use across Europe and is associated with maritime imagery and Christian saint traditions.
- Origin:Scottish, English
- Meaning:"Son of Kenneth"
- Description:Modern spelling variant of Mackenzie, from a Scottish surname historically meaning son of Kenneth, now common as a given name.
- Origin:Greek, English
- Meaning:"Sweet-smelling Myrrh"
- Description:Name associated with Greek place-name Myra and later English usage, sometimes linked by interpretation to myrrh imagery.
- Origin:English, French
- Meaning:"Estate of Mace"
- Description:Surname and place-name origin associated with Norman French localities, later adopted as a feminine given name in English.
- Origin:English
- Meaning:"Sea; Star"
- Description:Modern English formation influenced by Mary and Lynn elements; exact meaning is uncertain, though usage surged in twentieth-century Anglophone contexts.
- Origin:Aramaic
- Meaning:"Lady, Mistress"
- Description:Aramaic origin, appearing in New Testament contexts and traditionally interpreted as a title meaning lady or mistress of the house.
- Origin:English
- Meaning:"Mary Gold"
- Description:Marigold is an English floral name, historically linked to devotional Mary references and the golden hue of the plant.
- Origin:Slavic, Italian
- Meaning:"Gracious Dear"
- Description:Milan is a Slavic name from roots meaning dear or gracious, and also coincides with the well-known Italian city name.
- Origin:Latin, North African
- Meaning:"Advisor or Solitary"
- Description:Associated with Saint Monica, it spread through Christian tradition and later secular naming practices.
- Origin:Spanish
- Meaning:"Mary of Solitude"
- Description:Marisol is a Spanish compound name associated with Marian devotion, commonly interpreted as Mary of solitude.
- 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:Hebrew, Latin
- Meaning:"Who Is Like God"
- Description:Feminine form of Michael, widely used across Europe and the Americas, maintaining strong biblical resonance and multiple orthographic variants.
- Origin:English
- Meaning:"Grain Grinder"
- Description:Occupational surname meaning one who operates a mill, adopted as a given name in modern English-speaking naming patterns.
- Origin:Welsh
- Meaning:"Pearl"
- Description:Welsh form associated with Margaret traditions, commonly interpreted as pearl, with strong popularity in late twentieth-century English usage.
- Origin:Hebrew, English
- Meaning:"Who Is Like God"
- Description:Modern spelling of Michaela, derived from a Hebrew rhetorical theophoric name, widely used in late twentieth-century English.
- Origin:Slavic, Sanskrit
- Meaning:"Gracious or Union"
- Description:Found in Slavic languages and also in South Asian contexts, leading to differing etymologies including graciousness or union.
- Origin:Slavic
- Meaning:"Gracious; Dear"
- Description:Slavic name from roots associated with мил meaning dear or gracious, widely used across Eastern and Central European naming systems.
- Origin:English
- Meaning:"Gift"
- Description:A modern spelling variant of Macy, sometimes linked to French and Latin gift associations through related surname forms.
- Origin:English
- Meaning:"Woman From Magdala"
- Description:Modern spelling variant of Madeline, ultimately linked to Magdalene, referencing Magdala in biblical geography.
- Origin:Scottish, English
- Meaning:"Pearl"
- Description:Maisy is a Scottish diminutive linked to Margaret, and thus inherits the traditional pearl interpretation.
- Origin:Filipino, Tagalog
- Meaning:"Free; Independent"
- Description:In Tagalog usage it can mean free, and it also functions as a modern given name with regional associations.
- Origin:Hawaiian
- Meaning:"Heavenly Garland"
- Description:Built from Hawaiian elements, it is typically interpreted with floral and celestial associations in naming practice.
- Origin:French, Greek
- Meaning:"Pearl"
- Description:Marjorie developed as a medieval variant of Margaret, ultimately from Greek and traditionally interpreted as meaning pearl.
- Origin:Hebrew, English
- Meaning:"Woman of Magdala"
- Description:Typically a diminutive of Madeline or Madeleine, it ultimately traces to Magdalene and long-standing Christian usage.
- Origin:Hebrew, Greek, Latin
- Meaning:"From Magdala"
- Description:Biblical name referring to Mary of Magdala, transmitted through Greek and Latin Christian tradition.
- Origin:Hebrew
- Meaning:"Who Is Like God"
- Description:Hebrew prophetic name meaning who is like God, prominent in the Hebrew Bible and widely used in Jewish and Christian communities.
- Origin:English, Latin
- Meaning:"Compassion"
- Description:English virtue name from Latin misericordia via religious usage, emphasizing compassion and clemency in Christian moral tradition.
- Origin:Modern English
- Meaning:"Place Name Usage"
- Description:Modern given name derived from the country name, used primarily in English-speaking contexts with toponymic motivation.
- Origin:Hebrew, Latin
- Meaning:"Grace; Beloved"
- Description:Compound form associated with Mary and Anna traditions, combining Hebrew-derived grace with longstanding Christian usage.
- Origin:English
- Meaning:"Pleasant Meadow"
- Description:A modern English formation blending Mar and Leigh elements, it is generally interpreted as a meadow-related name with agreeable connotations.
- Origin:Hebrew, English
- Meaning:"Of Magdala"
- Description:Alternative spelling within the Madeline and Magdalene cluster, commonly treated as an English modernized form with biblical place-name association.
Baby Names Starting with M for Boys
- Origin:Hebrew, Spanish
- Meaning:"Gift of God"
- Description:The Spanish form of Matthew, it preserves the biblical meaning and is prevalent across Iberian and Latin American usage.
- Origin:Hebrew
- Meaning:"Who Is Like God"
- Description:A biblical theophoric name framed as a rhetorical question, strongly associated with the archangel Michael in Jewish and Christian texts.
- Origin:Hebrew, Greek, English
- Meaning:"Gift of God"
- Description:Derived from Hebrew Mattityahu through Greek, it is associated with the evangelist Matthew and remains common in Christian cultures.
- Origin:English
- Meaning:"Independent Nonconformist"
- Description:From a surname popularized as a common noun in American English, later adopted as a given name.
- Origin:Latin, English
- Meaning:"Soldier or Merciful"
- Description:Used in English from a medieval personal name, its etymology is debated between Latin-derived and Germanic interpretations.
- Origin:English
- Meaning:"Stone Worker"
- Description:Mason is an English occupational name referring to stonework, later adopted widely as a given name in Anglophone societies.
- Origin:Hebrew
- Meaning:"Who Is Like God"
- Description:Hebrew prophetic name meaning who is like God, prominent in the Hebrew Bible and widely used in Jewish and Christian communities.
- Origin:Latin, English
- Meaning:"Soldier"
- Description:English form related to Miles, a medieval name often associated with Latin miles meaning soldier.
- Origin:Germanic, Slavic
- Meaning:"Gracious Dear"
- Description:Used across Europe with multiple derivations, it is frequently linked to roots meaning dear or gracious in Slavic and Germanic contexts.
- Origin:Hebrew, Italian
- Meaning:"Gift of God"
- Description:Italian form of Matthew, retaining the theophoric sense of divine gift and widespread use in Catholic-influenced regions.
- Origin:Hebrew
- Meaning:"My Messenger"
- Description:Biblical prophetic name from Hebrew, typically analyzed as a possessive form meaning my messenger.
- Origin:Hebrew, Spanish
- Meaning:"Gift of God"
- Description:Variant of Matthias and Mateo forms, ultimately from Hebrew Mattityahu, widely used in Iberian and Latin American naming.
- Origin:Latin
- Meaning:"Greatest"
- Description:Max is commonly a short form of names like Maximilian or Maxwell and is valued for its concise, international usability.
- Origin:Scottish, English
- Meaning:"Mack’s Stream"
- Description:Originally a Scottish surname from a place-name meaning a stream associated with Mack, it later became a given name.
- Origin:Hebrew, Spanish
- Meaning:"Who Is Like God"
- Description:Spanish form of Michael, it preserves the Hebrew rhetorical meaning and is widely used in Hispanic cultures.
- Origin:Hebrew
- Meaning:"Anointed One"
- Description:A title from Hebrew tradition meaning anointed one, occasionally used as a given name with strong religious connotations.
- Origin:Welsh
- Meaning:"Son of Madoc"
- Description:Welsh surname derived from Madoc, later adopted as a given name, especially in contemporary English-speaking contexts.
- Origin:Slavic, Italian
- Meaning:"Gracious Dear"
- Description:Milan is a Slavic name from roots meaning dear or gracious, and also coincides with the well-known Italian city name.
- Origin:Hebrew
- Meaning:"My Messenger"
- Description:A variant of Malachi, it retains Hebrew prophetic associations while reflecting Polynesian and modern Anglophone spelling preferences.
- Origin:Arabic
- Meaning:"Praised One"
- Description:A major Arabic name meaning praised, borne by the Prophet of Islam and widely used across Muslim communities.
- Origin:Latin, English
- Meaning:"Of Mars"
- Description:From Latin Marcus, likely connected to Mars, it is reinforced by the Gospel writer Mark in Christian tradition.
- Origin:Latin
- Meaning:"Dedicated to Mars"
- Description:A Roman praenomen associated with Mars, it continued through Christian adoption and sustained international usage.
- Origin:Latin, Spanish
- Meaning:"Greatest"
- Description:Spanish form of Maximilian, from Latin maximus meaning greatest, historically borne by emperors and saints in European tradition.
- Origin:Latin
- Meaning:"Of Mars"
- Description:Martin is a Latin name associated with Mars, widely disseminated through Saint Martin and medieval European naming practices.
- Origin:Scottish Gaelic
- Meaning:"Devotee of Columba"
- Description:From Scottish Gaelic origins, it is associated with early medieval Scotland and later borne by multiple Scottish kings.
- Origin:Latin
- Meaning:"Greatest"
- Description:Maximus is a Latin name meaning greatest, widely attested in Roman usage and later revived in modern naming.
- Origin:Hebrew, Greek
- Meaning:"Gift of God"
- Description:Mathias is a variant of Matthias, from Hebrew via Greek, commonly interpreted as meaning gift of God in Christian tradition.
- Origin:Hebrew, Spanish, Portuguese
- Meaning:"God Is With Us"
- Description:From Emmanuel-related Hebrew tradition, it is a common Iberian given name with long historical continuity.
- Origin:Italian, Latin
- Meaning:"Dedicated to Mars"
- Description:Italian form of Marcus, historically widespread in Christian Europe and reinforced by famous explorers and saints.
- Origin:French, English
- Meaning:"Horse Servant; Steward"
- Description:Derived from an occupational surname referring to a steward responsible for horses and later high office.
- Origin:Italian, Latin
- Meaning:"Of Marius"
- Description:Mario is an Italian form associated with Marius traditions, broadly used in Romance languages and international contexts.
- Origin:Arabic
- Meaning:"King; Owner"
- Description:From Arabic roots meaning ruler or possessor, widely used across Muslim communities and increasingly adopted internationally.
- Origin:English
- Meaning:"Grain Grinder"
- Description:Occupational surname meaning one who operates a mill, adopted as a given name in modern English-speaking naming patterns.
- Origin:Latin, Spanish, Portuguese
- Meaning:"Young Warrior"
- Description:Iberian form of Marcellus, derived from Mars, used widely in Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries and communities.
- Origin:Hebrew, Greek
- Meaning:"Gift of God"
- Description:New Testament name from Greek Matthaios traditions, used widely in Europe and associated with Saint Matthias.
- Origin:Latin, Spanish
- Meaning:"Dedicated to Mars"
- Description:Spanish and Portuguese form of Marcus, also used for the biblical evangelist Mark in many Christian naming traditions.
- Origin:Hebrew
- Meaning:"Drawn Out"
- Description:Moshe is the Hebrew form of Moses, traditionally explained as drawn out, referencing the biblical narrative of rescue from water.
- 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, Egyptian
- Meaning:"Drawn From Water"
- Description:Prominent in Abrahamic traditions, the name’s etymology is debated between Hebrew folk interpretation and Egyptian elements.
- Origin:Hebrew, Spanish
- Meaning:"Drawn Out"
- Description:Spanish form of Moses, a major biblical figure, with traditional interpretation emphasizing rescue or being drawn from water.
- Origin:Arabic, Hebrew
- Meaning:"Drawn Out"
- Description:The Arabic form of Moses, it is used in Islamic tradition and relates to the Moses etymology often glossed as drawn out.
- Origin:Welsh
- Meaning:"Sea-born"
- Description:Welsh name with maritime interpretation, used across genders and established in both Welsh tradition and wider Anglophone naming.
- Origin:Hawaiian
- Meaning:"Toward the Sea"
- Description:Makai is used in Hawaiian directional vocabulary, contrasting inland and seaward orientation in traditional landscape descriptions.
- Origin:Arabic
- Meaning:"Praised; Commendable"
- Description:Variant transliteration of Muhammad, an Arabic name meaning praised, strongly associated with Islamic religious history.
- Origin:Latin, English
- Meaning:"Greater; Superior"
- Description:From Latin comparatives meaning greater, later used as an English title and given name associated with military rank.
- Origin:Latin, German
- Meaning:"Greatest"
- Description:From Latin maximus meaning greatest, popularized through European dynastic and imperial naming traditions.
- Origin:Greek, Egyptian
- Meaning:"Ancient City Name"
- Description:Memphis is a place-derived name referencing the ancient Egyptian city known through Greek sources, and its lexical meaning is unclear in English use.
- Origin:Spanish, Latin
- Meaning:"Greatest"
- Description:A Spanish form of Maximus, a Latin superlative meaning greatest, used in Iberian and Latin American communities with classical resonance.
- Origin:Arabic
- Meaning:"Praised"
- Description:A major Islamic theophoric associated name, it means praised and is widely used across Muslim societies with many transliteration variants.
- Origin:Arabic
- Meaning:"Praised"
- Description:Mohammad is an Arabic name meaning praised, widely used in Muslim communities in reference to the Prophet of Islam.
- Origin:Latin, Spanish
- Meaning:"Dark-skinned"
- Description:A Spanish form of Mauritius, from Latin roots associated with Moorish identity and often glossed as dark-skinned.
- Origin:Germanic, Modern English
- Meaning:"Gracious Soldier"
- Description:Often treated as a variant of Milo, associated with mildness and contemporary naming trends.
- Origin:Welsh, English
- Meaning:"Sea Hill Friend"
- Description:Often linked to Welsh elements, it entered wider English use as a personal name in the nineteenth 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:Gaelic, English
- Meaning:"Son"
- Description:From Gaelic mac meaning son, commonly a surname element and occasionally used as a standalone given name.
- Origin:Hebrew, Spanish
- Meaning:"Who Is Like God"
- Description:Misael is a Spanish form of the Hebrew name Mishael, expressing a rhetorical devotion to divine uniqueness.
- Origin:Latin, Scandinavian
- Meaning:"Great"
- Description:From Latin magnus meaning great, it is prominent in Scandinavian history and appears in royal and saintly name traditions.
- Origin:Latin, French
- Meaning:"Of Mars"
- Description:A French form from Latin Marcellus, associated with Mars the Roman god and historically common in Francophone regions.
- 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:Arabic
- Meaning:"The Chosen One"
- Description:Mustafa is an Arabic epithet meaning the chosen one, widely used in Muslim naming traditions for historical and devotional reasons.
- Origin:Hebrew, Spanish, Italian
- Meaning:"Gift of God"
- Description:Romance-language spelling of Matthew-derived names, maintaining the Hebrew theophoric meaning through Christian tradition.
- Origin:Scottish, English
- Meaning:"Chief or Mill Friend"
- Description:Likely influenced by Scottish surname forms, it entered broader English naming in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
- Origin:Italian, Latin
- Meaning:"Greatest"
- Description:An Italian form of Maximus, from Latin expressing the superlative idea of greatest or most eminent.
- Origin:Hebrew, English
- Meaning:"Who Is Like God"
- Description:Mitchell is an English surname form related to Michael traditions and has been adopted as a masculine given name.
- 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:Hebrew
- Meaning:"One who Shines"
- Description:A Hebrew name meaning shining or illuminating, historically borne by rabbinic figures and widely used in Jewish communities.
- Origin:Latin, French
- Meaning:"Dark-skinned Moor"
- Description:Maurice comes from Latin via French, historically denoting a Moorish association, and was borne by several saints.
- Origin:Hebrew, English
- Meaning:"Gift of God"
- Description:A spelling variant of Matthew, it retains the biblical etymology while reflecting orthographic diversity in English records.
- Origin:Latin
- Meaning:"Little Warrior"
- Description:Latin name traditionally interpreted as little warrior, associated with Roman family nomenclature and classical history.
- Origin:Hebrew
- Meaning:"Warrior of Marduk"
- Description:Hebrew biblical name likely influenced by Persian contexts, prominent in Jewish tradition and liturgical readings.
- Origin:Greek
- Meaning:"Blessed One"
- Description:From Greek makarios meaning blessed, used in various traditions and sometimes associated with saint names in Eastern Christianity.
- Origin:Italian, Latin
- Meaning:"Little Warrior of Mars"
- Description:Italian form of Marcellus, historically tied to Roman naming conventions and the deity Mars as a martial reference.
- Origin:Hebrew, English
- Meaning:"Who Is Like God"
- Description:A familiar short form of Michael, it is widely used as an independent given name in informal contexts.
- Origin:Hebrew, American
- Meaning:"Who Is Like God"
- Description:Often treated as a modern variant influenced by Michael traditions, though spelling and usage are contemporary and diverse.
- Origin:Breton, Celtic
- Meaning:"Chief"
- Description:Mael is a Celtic-rooted name found in Breton and related traditions, often interpreted with leadership connotations.
- Origin:Hebrew
- Meaning:"Comforter"
- Description:A traditional Hebrew name meaning comforter, historically borne in Jewish communities and documented across many centuries.
- Origin:French, English
- Meaning:"Gomeric Mountain"
- Description:From a Norman French place name and surname, it references a mountain associated with a personal name element.
- Origin:Hawaiian
- Meaning:"Bold; Fearless"
- Description:Makoa is a Hawaiian name commonly interpreted as bold or fearless, reflecting positive trait-based naming conventions.
- Origin:Hebrew, Scandinavian
- Meaning:"Who Is Like God"
- Description:A variant of Michael used in several European languages, ultimately from Hebrew meaning who is like God.
- Origin:Hebrew, Scandinavian
- Meaning:"Gift of God"
- Description:Mattias is a regional spelling of Matthias, widely used in Northern Europe and Christian naming traditions.
- Origin:Latin, Spanish
- Meaning:"Of Mary"
- Description:Mariano is a Spanish and Italian form linked to Marianus, historically interpreted as relating to Mary in Christian devotional contexts.
- 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:Latin, French
- Meaning:"Dedicated to Mars"
- Description:Marc is a Romance-language form of Mark, traditionally associated with the Roman god Mars.
- Origin:Welsh, English
- Meaning:"Fame Ruler"
- Description:Often linked to Welsh Meurig or Germanic-derived forms, with interpretations tied to fame and ruler; used as surname and given name.
- Origin:Latin, Germanic
- Meaning:"Of Mars"
- Description:Markus is a Germanic and Scandinavian spelling of Marcus, a Latin name associated with Mars, the Roman god of war.
- Origin:English
- Meaning:"Pleasant Wood"
- Description:English surname from place elements, increasingly used as a given name with woodland and locality associations.
- Origin:French
- Meaning:"House"
- Description:Maison is the French common noun for house, used as a modern given name influenced by French lexical borrowing in English contexts.
- Origin:English, Scottish
- Meaning:"Settlement of Maccus"
- Description:From a Scottish place-name and surname, interpreted as the town or settlement associated with Maccus.
- Origin:Scottish, English
- Meaning:"Mouth of Roe"
- Description:Monroe is a Scottish surname from a place-name, traditionally analyzed as mouth of the Roe river, now used as given name.
- Origin:Hebrew
- Meaning:"My Messenger"
- Description:A Hebrew biblical name linked to the prophet Malachi, conveying the sense of a messenger within a religious literary tradition.
- Origin:Hebrew, Modern English
- Meaning:"My Messenger; Angel"
- Description:Commonly treated as a variant of Malachi, though spelling varies widely and meanings follow the Hebrew prophetic name.
- Origin:English
- Meaning:"Stone Worker"
- Description:Variant of Mason, originally an occupational surname for a builder, used frequently as a modern given name.
- Origin:Hebrew
- Meaning:"Who Is Like God"
- Description:Micheal is a less common spelling variant of Michael, retaining the traditional theophoric meaning associated with Hebrew scripture.
- Origin:Hebrew
- Meaning:"My Messenger"
- Description:Variant of Malachi, from Hebrew roots meaning messenger, associated with a minor prophet in the Bible.
- Origin:Welsh, English
- Meaning:"Son of Madoc"
- Description:From a Welsh surname associated with Madoc, often interpreted as a patronymic form meaning son of Madoc.
- Origin:Arabic, Hebrew
- Meaning:"King"
- Description:Malek is a Semitic name meaning king, used in Arabic and related linguistic traditions with multiple transliteration standards.
- Origin:English
- Meaning:"Mill Town Settlement"
- Description:Originally a surname from English place-names, it became a given name associated with locality and tradition.
- Origin:Latin, English
- Meaning:"Mountain"
- Description:Often a short form of Montague or Montgomery, ultimately reflecting Latin mons meaning mountain and used chiefly in Anglophone contexts.
- Origin:Latin, Italian
- Meaning:"Dark-skinned"
- Description:Italian form of a Latin-derived name historically used as an ethnonym, later generalized as a personal name.
- Origin:Latin, Slavic
- Meaning:"Greatest"
- Description:A form of Maximus used widely in Slavic languages, derived from Latin and conveying the superlative sense greatest.
Why Choose Baby Names Starting with M?
When parents explore baby names starting with m, they usually find options that feel emotionally resonant and practical for everyday use across different ages.
Written by
Lily AndersonUnique & Creative Names Specialist
Creative Writing grad and novelist specializing in unique, literary, and mythological names.
Unique NamesLiterary NamesMythological Names