AHEAD: The ultimate list of M names for girls.
If you’re looking for a beautiful girls’ 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.
I’ve also included each name’s meaning and current popularity—which will hopefully help you narrow down your list of favorites.
(As you’ll see, many of these names are inspired by the sea… and there are TONS of options in the top 1000!)
Feel free to use the Table of Contents to jump to a specific style, or keep on scrolling and view all of these magnificent girl names that start with M.
Popular “M” names
Kicking off our list of girl names starting with M names for girls that are popular in the United States right now. All of these are in the top 150.
Mackenzie or Mckenzie or Makenzie
- Name meaning: Daughter of Kenneth.
- Popularity: Mackenzie ranks #119, Mckenzie ranks #278, and Makenzie ranks #344.
Madeline
- Name meaning: Woman from Israel.
- Popularity: #95
Madelyn or Madilyn or Madelynn or Madilynn or Madalyn or Madalynn
As I said earlier, there are a LOT of variations here!
- Name meaning: Woman from Israel.
- Popularity: Madelyn ranks #66, Madilyn ranks #325, Madelynn ranks #480, Madilynn ranks #507, Madalyn ranks #813, and Madalynn ranks #994.
Madison or Maddison or Madisyn
- Name meaning: Child of Matthew.
- Popularity: Madison ranks #23, Maddison ranks #475, and Madisyn ranks #726.
Maya or Mya or Maia
- Name meaning: Water.
- Popularity: Maya ranks #61, Mya ranks #242, and Maia ranks #498.
Melanie or Melany or Melani
- Name meaning: Dark.
- Popularity: Melanie ranks #105, Melany ranks #645, and Melani ranks #995.
Melody
- Name meaning: Song.
- Popularity: #106
- Name meaning: Mine.
- Popularity: #8
Mila
- Name meaning: Beloved.
- Popularity: #20
If you like these popular girl names that start with m, you might also like this list of modern girl names.
Cute “M” names
All of these girl names that start with M sound friendly and sweet.
Maisie
- Name meaning: Pearl.
- Popularity: #409
Malia or Maliyah or Maleah
- Name meaning: Bitter.
- Popularity: Malia ranks #259, Maliyah ranks #463, and Maleah ranks #869.
Marcie
- Name meaning: Mars, god of war.
- Popularity: This cute two-syllable M name is not ranking in the top 1000.
Marley or Marlee or Marleigh
- Name meaning: Pleasant wood.
- Popularity: Marley ranks #211, Marlee ranks #430, and Marleigh ranks #722.
Mazie
- Name meaning: Child of light.
- Popularity: This friendly M name isn’t ranking.
Milani or Malani or Meilani
- Name meaning: Invented name.
- Popularity: Milani ranks #287, Malani ranks #495, and Meilani ranks #886.
Miley
- Name meaning: Invented name.
- Popularity: #740
Millie
- Name meaning: Strong worker.
- Popularity: #190
Minnie
- Name meaning: Intelect.
- Popularity: This Victorian M name is not popular in the U.S.
Molly or Mollie
- Name meaning: Rebellious.
- Popularity: Molly ranks #174 and Mollie is not ranking.
If you like these cute m names for girls, you might also like this list of southern girl names.
Long “M” names
All of these long names for girls are at least 7 letters long.
Madeleine
- Name meaning: Woman from Israel.
- Popularity: #394
Makayla or Mikayla or Michaela or Mikaela
- Name meaning: Like God.
- Popularity: Makayla ranks #326, Mikayla ranks #543, Michaela ranks #647, and Mikaela ranks #457.
Marceline
- Name meaning: Little warrior.
- Popularity: #973
Mariana or Marianna
- Name meaning: Drop of the sea. Beloved.
- Popularity: Mariana ranks #276 and Marianna ranks #832.
McKenna or Makenna
- Name meaning: Child of Cionaodh.
- Popularity: Mckenna ranks #272 and Makenna ranks #402.
Mirabella
- Name meaning: Wonderful.
- Popularity: This elegant girls’ name is not in the top 1000.
If you like these long girl names that start with M you might also like this list of names that mean graceful.
Short “M” names
All of these short names for girls are just 3 or 4 letters.
Maci or Macie or Macy
- Name meaning: Hill.
- Popularity: Maci ranks #455, Macie ranks #532, and Macie ranks #618.
Mae
- Name meaning: Bitter or pearl.
- Popularity: #576
Mara
- Name meaning: A river.
- Popularity: #627
May
- Name meaning: The 5th month. Another name for Hawthorn, a small thorny tree with white or pink flowers.
- Popularity: This one-syllable girls’ name is not currently in “season”.
Mina
- Name meaning: Many possible meanings from all different cultures: With gilded helmet, blue stone, south, love, bitter, joyful, and more!
- Popularity: #662
Mira
- Name meaning: Peace.
- Popularity: #485
Myla or Mylah
- Name meaning: Soldier or merciful.
- Popularity: Myla ranks #277 and Mylah ranks #745.
Myra
- Name meaning: Beloved or admirable.
- Popularity: #556
If you like these short girl names that start with M you might also like this list of nonbinary names.
Nature “M” names for girls
These organic baby names that start with M are inspired by plants, trees, and the ocean.
Magnolia
- Name meaning: A tree with large glossy leaves and huge white blossoms.
- Popularity: #177
Maple
- Name meaning: Large trees known for their beautiful autumn colors.
- Popularity: This cute tree name for girls is not ranking.
Maren
- Name meaning: Sea.
- Popularity: #438
Marianna
- Name meaning: Drop of the sea. Beloved.
- Popularity: #832
Maribelle
- Name meaning: Mari + Belle. Drop of the sea. Beloved. + Beautiful.
- Popularity: This pretty three-syllable M name is not in the top 1000.
Mariella
- Name meaning: Drop of the sea. Beloved.
- Popularity: This elegant girls’ name is not in the top 1000.
Marielle
- Name meaning: Drop of the sea. Beloved.
- Popularity: This girls’ M name isn’t popular.
Marietta
- Name meaning: Drop of the sea. Beloved.
- Popularity: This unique girls’ name starting with M is not ranking.
Marigold
- Name meaning: Golden flower.
- Popularity: This nature-inspired M name isn’t ranking.
Marni
- Name meaning: From the sea.
- Popularity: This M name isn’t ranking.
Meadow
- Name meaning: Freely growing grassland.
- Popularity: #476
Meena
- Name meaning: A bird or blue semi-precious stone.
- Popularity: This unique M name for girls isn’t popular in the U.S.
Meryl
- Name meaning: Of the bright sea.
- Popularity: This Streep-inspired M name is not currently popular.
Mischa
- Name meaning: Honey bee.
- Popularity: This Barton-reminiscent M name is not ranking.
Muriel
- Name meaning: Sparkling sea.
- Popularity: This unique M name for girls isn’t popular in the U.S.
Myrla
- Name meaning: Blackbird or shining sea.
- Popularity: This MAFS-reminiscent M name isn’t ranking.
If you like nature-inspired girl names with M as the first letter, you might also like this list of tree names for girls or this list of hippie baby names.
Vintage “M” names for girls
All of these beautiful and old-fashioned girl names that start with M are inspired by decades and centuries past.
Mabel
- Name meaning: Lovable.
- Popularity: #427
Maeve
- Name meaning: She who intoxicates.
- Popularity: #173
Margaret or Maggie
- Name meaning: Pearl.
- Popularity: Margaret ranks #126 and Maggie ranks #293.
Margery or Marjorie
- Name meaning: Pearl.
- Popularity: Neither spelling of this vintage M name is ranking.
Margot or Margo
- Name meaning: Pearl.
- Popularity: Margot ranks #234 and Margo ranks #760.
Marie
- Name meaning: Drop of the sea; or beloved.
- Popularity: #619
Marion
- Name meaning: Drop of the sea; or beloved.
- Popularity: This M name is not in the top 1000.
Matilda
- Name meaning: Strength in battle.
- Popularity: #478
Mavis
- Name meaning: Songbird.
- Popularity: #841
Mercy
- Name meaning: Compassion.
- Popularity: #814
If you like these old-fashioned M names for girls you might also like this list of Victorian girl names.
Unique “M” names for girls
All of these unique girl names starting with M are interesting and uncommon without being too far out there.
Malaya or Malayah
- Name meaning: Freedom.
- Popularity: Malaya ranks #668 and Malayah ranks #949.
Marin
- Name meaning: Beautiful place near San Francisco.
- Popularity: This unique girls’ name starting with M is not currently ranking.
Marlowe
- Name meaning: Driftwood.
- Popularity: #921
Mazikeen
- Name meaning: Harmful spirits.
- Popularity: #998
Mckinley
- Name meaning: Child of the fair hero. Presidential name.
- Popularity: #555
Melina or Milena
- Name meaning: Honey or gracious.
- Popularity: Melina ranks #648 and Milena ranks #821.
Merida
- Name meaning: One who has achieved honor.
- Popularity: This unique girls’ name starting with M is not in the top 1000.
Milana
- Name meaning: Pleasant + gracious.
- Popularity: #698
Monet
- Name meaning: To be heard. Also an incredible impressionist artist.
- Popularity: This unique M name is not currently popular.
Monroe
- Name meaning: Mouth of the Roe river. Presidential name.
- Popularity: #539
If you like unique “M” girl names, you might also like this list of space names.
Timeless “M” names for girls
These girl names that start with M have been more popular in the past but aren’t out of style either. They don’t tend to evoke any particular decade, making them timeless.
Malika
- Name meaning: Queen.
- Popularity: This regal M name is not currently ranking.
Mallory
- Name meaning: Unlucky.
- Popularity: #568
Marcella
- Name meaning: Warlike.
- Popularity: This M name hasn’t ranked since 2002.
Marilyn
- Name meaning: Mary + Lynn. Drop of the sea or beloved + lake.
- Popularity: #636
Marina
- Name meaning: Of the sea.
- Popularity: #707
Maxine
- Name meaning: Greatest.
- Popularity: #737
Megan or Meghan
- Name meaning: Pearl.
- Popularity: Megan ranks #638 and Meghan ranks #878.
Melissa
- Name meaning: Honey bee.
- Popularity: #348
Meredith
- Name meaning: Great ruler.
- Popularity: #585
Michelle
- Name meaning: Like God.
- Popularity: #336
Milan
- Name meaning: A city in Italy known for fashion.
- Popularity: #642
Miranda
- Name meaning: Worthy of admiration.
- Popularity: #542
Miriam or Maryam or Mariam
- Name meaning: Drop of the sea. Beloved.
- Popularity: Miriam ranks #280 Maryam ranks #503 and Mariam ranks #632.
Morgan
- Name meaning: Of the sea.
- Popularity: #193
You might also like this list of badass girl names or these edgy names.
“M” names for girls that are past their prime
Even though all of the following names are ranking in the top 1000, I personally think they’ve seen better days.
Magdalena
- Name meaning: From Magdala, Israel.
- Popularity: #997
Mariah
- Name meaning: The Lord is my teacher. Drop of the sea. Beloved.
- Popularity: #305
Marisol
- Name meaning: Mary of solitude.
- Popularity: #974
Martha
- Name meaning: Lady.
- Popularity: #772
Mary
- Name meaning: Drop of the sea. Beloved.
- Popularity: #124
Miracle
- Name meaning: Extraordinary event.
- Popularity: #388
Monica
- Name meaning: Advisor.
- Popularity: #703
Murphy
- Name meaning: Sea warrior.
- Popularity: #969
And here are a few more that aren’t ranking right now:
| Marcia/Marsha Maria Marianne Marissa Marlene Martina Maureen Melania Melinda |
Mercedes Mildred Minerva Missy Misty Moira Mona Monique |
(Of course, if you happen to love any one of these “M” girl names, you should choose it for your daughter and forget what I think!)
More baby names for girls
Before we get to middle name ideas, here are a few related articles that may be helpful if you’re still looking for the perfect name.
Middle name ideas for “M” girl names
Here are some beautiful first + middle name combinations for a first name with “M” as the first letter.
- Mabel Addilyn
- Mackenzie Reese
- Madeleine Sophie
- Madeline Lily
- Madelyn Sophia
- Madison Avery
- Maeve Scarlett
- Magnolia Jade
- Maisie Alexandra
- Makayla Lennox
- Malaya Rayne
- Malia Hailey
- Malika Rose
- Mallory Eden
- Marceline Blake
- Marcella Grace
- Marcie Harlow
- Maren Ellery
- Margaret Everly
- Margery Palmer
- Margot Aubrey
- Mariana Rose
- Marianna Hazel
- Maribelle Ruby
- Marie Charlotte
- Mariella Charlotte
- Marielle Hartley
- Marietta Blakely
- Marigold Skye
- Marilyn Emma
- Marin Sophie
- Marina Jolie
- Marion Pearl
- Marley Faye
- Marlowe Emerald
- Marni Phoenix
- Matilda Hartley
- Mavis Belle
- Maxine Emery
- Maya Everly
- Mazie Violet
- Mazikeen Rose
- McKenna Hadley
- Mckinley Frances
- Meadow Everleigh
- Meena Scarlett
- Megan Embry
- Melanie Blaire
- Melissa Aria
- Melody Rylan
- Mercy Evelyn
- Meredith Ava
- Merida Elowyn
- Meryl Olivia
- Mia Penelope
- Michelle Brooke
- Mila Sage
- Milan Sophia
- Milana Jade
- Milani Grace
- Milena Blaire
- Miley Piper
- Millie Hart
- Mirabella Eve
- Miranda Bryn
- Miriam Tazara
- Mischa Brooke
- Molly Abigail
- Monet Lily
- Monroe Haley
- Morgan Ariella
- Muriel Paige
- Myrla Juliette
- Maci Emerald
- Mae Victoria
- Mara Alexandria
- May Phoenix
- Mina Hadley
- Mira Adeline
- Myla Lennox
- Myra Everly
Things to consider while choosing from M girl names
Before you make your daughter’s name official, here are a few questions worth asking yourself:
-
- Does the name have an undesirable meaning? Keep in mind that the prefix Mal means “bad”. There are a few names on this list with less than ideal meanings. The first is Mallory, which means unlucky. The second is Mazikeen, which means harmful spirits. The third is Marcella, which means warlike. You can absolutely choose to ignore the meaning if you like the sound of the name—that’s totally your call!
- Does the name remind you (or others) of anyone famous or infamous? I’d personally avoid the name Melania, which is of course the name of Donald Trump’s wife. Other names, for better or for worse, might remind you of celebrities. Mariah Carey, Marilyn Monroe, Martha Stewart, Monica Lewinsky, etc.
- How often will others assume the wrong spelling of the name? Since M names for girls have so many spelling variations, you’ll want to consider whether it will bother you (and your daughter, of course) when people regularly misspell her name. If you go with Maliyah, most people will assume Malia. If you do Marlee, most will assume Marley.
- Will young kids be able to pronounce the name? It’s really common for little ones to have trouble pronouncing letters and sounds such as “R”, “S”, “L”, “Th”, and “Z”. So, for a period of time, M girl names like Marissa and Mercedes might be virtually impossible for your daughter and her friends to say. Again, think about whether this matters to you—it may not.
Ultimately, you and your partner should choose whichever “M” girl name makes you the happiest. It’s a very personal decision that only you can make!
Final thoughts on M names for girls
The popularity of girls’ names that start with M is STUNNING.
There are a whopping 101 M names in the top 1000. This is more than 3 times that of H names, for example.
Another interesting trend with girl M names is how many spelling variations of the same name are actually ranking. (For most names, spelling variations don’t top the charts)…
There are 6 variations of Madelyn and 4 variations of Mayakla that rank in the top 1000, just to give you two examples.
Not to mention, there are quite a few ranking M that are nearly identical. There’s Milani, Malani, and Meilani. There’s Milana, Milena, and Malaya. Melina and Milena. And so many more!
It’s safe to say, M names for girls are hot right now!
Congratulations and good luck choosing the perfect name for your baby girl!
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