AHEAD: The ultimate list of M names for boys—plus their meanings and popularity.
If you’re looking for a cool boys’ name starting with the letter M, you’re in the right place!
Below, I’ve rounded up every single M name that’s even the slightest bit modern and cool.
For each name, you’ll find its meaning and current popularity—which will hopefully help you narrow down your list of favorites.
There are 68 “M” names ranking in the top 1000.
There are also a bunch of other magnificent M names that are more rare (without being too out there).
Feel free to use the Table of Contents to jump to a specific style, or keep on scrolling and view all of these cool boys’ names starting with the letter M.
Related: Girl Names that Start with M
Popular boy names that start with M
Kicking off our list of “M” names with some cool monikers that are popular in the United States right now. All of these are in the top 200.
Maddox
- Name meaning: Fortunate. Son of Madoc.
- Popularity: #174
Malachi or Malakai
- Name meaning: My messenger.
- Popularity: Malachi ranks #167 and Malakai is #256.
Mason or Maison
- Name meaning: One who works with stone.
- Popularity: Mason ranks #18 and Maison last ranked in 2020.
Matthew
- Name meaning: Gift of God.
- Popularity: Matthew ranks #36 and Mathew is #784.
Maverick
- Name meaning: Independent-minded person. An unbranded animal.
- Popularity: #47
Related: Middle Names for Maverick
Max
- Name meaning: The greatest.
- Popularity: #159
Maxwell
- Name meaning: Mack’s spring (or stream).
- Popularity: #163
Micah
- Name meaning: Who is like God.
- Popularity: #107
Michael
- Name meaning: Who is like God.
- Popularity: #17
Miles or Myles
- Name meaning: Soldier.
- Popularity: Miles ranks #54 and Myles is #119.
Milo or Mylo
- Name meaning: Dear or beloved. Soldier.
- Popularity: Milo ranks #127 and Mylo is #745.
If you like these popular boy names that start with M you’ll also like this list of southern names.
Cool “M” names
These boys’ names starting with M are perfect if you want something a little edgy but not too far out there.
Mack or Mac
- Name meaning: Son of.
- Popularity: Mack ranks #470 and Mac is #673.
Madden
- Name meaning: Little dog.
- Popularity: #824
Major
- Name meaning: Significant. A high-ranking army officer. A key in music.
- Popularity: #412
Marlon
- Name meaning: Might mean little war-like one.
- Popularity: #985
Maximilian
- Name meaning: The greatest.
- Popularity: #547
Maximus
- Name meaning: The greatest.
- Popularity: #263
Mayer or Meyer
- Name meaning: Superior.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Memphis
- Name meaning: Enduring and beautiful. A city in Tennessee.
- Popularity: #404
Miller
- Name meaning: Grain grinder.
- Popularity: #591
Morris
- Name meaning: Several possible meanings, such as ‘of the marsh’.
- Popularity: This German boys’ name isn’t ranking.
If you like these cool boy names that start with M you’ll also like this list of edgy names.
Gender-neutral “M” names
All of these M names would work for a boy or a girl.
Marley
- Name meaning: Pleasant wood.
- Popularity: For boys, Marley last ranked in 2020. For girls, Marley currently ranks #215.
Mayes
- Name meaning: Child of May. Might be related to “maize” (like corn).
- Popularity: This cool name isn’t ranking for either gender.
McKinley
- Name meaning: Child of the fair hero. Presidential name.
- Popularity: This name isn’t ranking for boys but ranks #543 for girls.
Milan
- Name meaning: A city in Italy known for fashion.
- Popularity: This name ranks #388 for boys and #655 for girls.
Monroe
- Name meaning: Mouth of the Roe river. Presidential name.
- Popularity: This name isn’t ranking for boys but ranks #525 for girls.
Morgan
- Name meaning: Of the sea.
- Popularity: Morgan ranks #612 for boys and #205 for girls.
Murphy
- Name meaning: Sea warrior.
- Popularity: For boys, this name last ranked in 2020. It currently ranks #716 for girls.
If you like these gender-neutral names that start with the letter M you’ll also like this list of nonbinary names.
Rare “M” names
If you’re looking for a boys’ name starting with M that’s off the beaten path, one of these rare choices might be for you!
Related: Unique Boy Names
Macallister
- Name meaning: Son of Alasdair.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Magnus
- Name meaning: Great.
- Popularity: #728
Marius
- Name meaning: Might mean Roman war god Mars, male, or sea.
- Popularity: This 3-syllable boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Mars
- Name meaning: The fourth planet from the sun. The Roman god of war.
- Popularity: This one-syllable boys’ name last ranked in 2019.
Maxton
- Name meaning: Greatest or greatest town.
- Popularity: #994
Mccoy
- Name meaning: Fire.
- Popularity: #818
Mekhi
- Name meaning: Meaning unknown.
- Popularity: #867
Mendel
- Name meaning: Comforter.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Mercer
- Name meaning: Trader (occupation).
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Merrick
- Name meaning: Fame and power.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
Merritt
- Name meaning: Boundary gate.
- Popularity: This fancy boy name isn’t ranking.
Morrison
- Name meaning: Dark-skinned.
- Popularity: This boys’ name isn’t ranking.
If you like these rare boy names that start with M you’ll also like this list of space names for boys.
International “M” names
This next batch of boys’ M names comes from across the globe.
Malik
- Name meaning: King.
- Popularity: #393
Manuel
- Name meaning: Spanish version of Emmanuel, meaning God is with us.
- Popularity: #320
Marcel or Marcelo
- Name meaning: Young warrior.
- Popularity: Marcel ranks #685 and Marcelo is #583.
Marcellus
- Name meaning: Young warrior.
- Popularity: #730
Marco or Marcos
- Name meaning: Italian and Spanish version of Mark, meaning warlike.
- Popularity: Marco ranks #398 and Marcos is #491.
Mario
- Name meaning: Might mean Roman war god Mars, male, or sea.
- Popularity: #348
Mateo or Matteo
- Name meaning: Gift of God.
- Popularity: Mateo ranks #15 and Matteo is #166.
Matias or Mathias or Matthias
- Name meaning: Gift of God.
- Popularity: Matias ranks #225, Mathias is #440, and Matthias is #450.
Mauricio
- Name meaning: Spanish and Portuguese version of Maurice, meaning dark-skinned.
- Popularity: #708
Maximiliano
- Name meaning: Spanish version of Maximilian, meaning the greatest.
- Popularity: #292
Maximo
- Name meaning: Greatest.
- Popularity: #731
Miguel
- Name meaning: Portuguese and Spanish version of Michael, meaning who is like God.
- Popularity: #195
If you like these global boy names that start with M you may also like this list of French boy names.
Religious “M” names
These boy names that start with M are perfect for families of faith. All of them are ranking in the top 1000 baby names for boys.
Makai
- Name meaning: Who is like God.
- Popularity: #545
Messiah
- Name meaning: Deliverer.
- Popularity: #172
Misael
- Name meaning: Who is like God.
- Popularity: #815
Mordechai
- Name meaning: A biblical name of uncertain origin.
- Popularity: #995
Moses or Moises
- Name meaning: To pull out of water.
- Popularity: Moses ranks #519 and Moises is #527.
Moshe or Moishe
- Name meaning: Alternative versions of Moses, meaning to pull out of water.
- Popularity: Moshe ranks #484 and Moishe isn’t ranking.
Muhammad or Mohamed or Mohammed or Mohammad
- Name meaning: Praiseworthy.
- Popularity: Muhammad ranks #306, Mohamed is #531, Mohammed is #692, and Mohammed is #692.
Musa
- Name meaning: Arabic, Turkish, and Persian version of Moses, meaning to pull out of water.
- Popularity: #744
If you like these religious boy names that start with M you may also like this list of names for rainbow babies.
“M” names that are past their prime
IMHO, the following M boys’ names have seen better days.
That said, as you’ll see by their rankings, plenty of people disagree with me! All of these names are in the top 1000, and many are even in the top 500!
Malcolm
- Name meaning: Devotee of Saint Columba.
- Popularity: #282
Marcus
- Name meaning: Warlike.
- Popularity: #228
Mark
- Name meaning: Warlike.
- Popularity: #252
Marshall
- Name meaning: Horse caretaker.
- Popularity: #379
Martin
- Name meaning: Warlike.
- Popularity: #302
Marvin
- Name meaning: Meaning unknown.
- Popularity: #620
Maurice
- Name meaning: Dark-skinned.
- Popularity: #829
Melvin
- Name meaning: Might mean gentle lord.
- Popularity: #801
Mitchell
- Name meaning: Who is like God.
- Popularity: #806
Final thoughts on “M” boy names
Hopefully, you’ve found a few lead contenders on this list, or at least come away with some baby name inspiration.
Whether you prefer a name that’s popular, cool, gender-neutral, rare, or global, all of these boys’ names are fantastic choices.
Congratulations and good luck choosing the perfect name for your son!
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