Girl Names That Start with M

641 namesGirl

M names for girls start with a warm, humming sound that feels soft and nurturing. Mary is one of the oldest names in Christian tradition, the mother in the Gospels, and Maria is its form in Latin, Spanish, Italian and many other languages. Molly began as an English pet form of Mary, and Mariah is a longer variant. Mia is often explained as an Italian and Scandinavian short form of Maria, and in Italian it also means mine.

The letter also features names from many cultures. Maya has several roots, including Sanskrit and Hebrew, and Mila is a Slavic name often linked to a word meaning dear. Melanie comes from a Greek word meaning dark, and Morgan is a Welsh name associated with the sea. Madeline and Madelyn come from a byname in the Gospels linked to the town of Magdala, while Madison and Mackenzie began as English and Scottish surnames. Makayla and Mya have a lighter, modern style.

Spelling matters with several of these names, since Madeline and Madelyn, or Maya and Mya, sound alike but are written differently. Choose the spelling that feels right to you. If your surname also starts with M, think about whether you enjoy the alliteration, and say the full name aloud to hear how it flows.

Most popular right now

Mia Girl
MEE-uh
“short form of Maria; Italian for mine” · Scandinavian
#6
Madison Girl
MA-duh-suhn
“son of Maud” · English
#40
Maya Girl
MY-uh
“illusion; also form of Maia” · Sanskrit
#62
Mila Girl
MEE-luh
“gracious, dear” · Slavic
#43
Madelyn Girl
MAD-uh-lihn
“of Magdala” · English
#71
Madeline Girl
MAD-uh-lihn
“of Magdala” · English
#81
Morgan Girl
MOR-guhn
“uncertain; possibly sea circle” · Welsh
#312
Mackenzie Girl
muh-KEN-zee
“son of Coinneach” · Scottish
#228
Maria Girl
muh-REE-uh
“form of Mary; meaning uncertain” · Latin
#87
Melanie Girl
MEH-luh-nee
“dark, black” · Greek
#142

Top 300 of 641 names

Sorted by current popularity. US rank uses 2025 data for the name's most common sex; the trend compares births with five years earlier. Tap a column heading to re-sort.

Name Meaning Origin US rank 2025 5-yr trend
Mia short form of Maria; Italian for mine Scandinavian 6 → -2%
Madison son of Maud English 40 ↓ -21%
Maya illusion; also form of Maia Sanskrit 62 → -1%
Mila gracious, dear Slavic 43 ↓ -28%
Madelyn of Magdala English 71 ↓ -5%
Madeline of Magdala English 81 ↑ +10%
Morgan uncertain; possibly sea circle Welsh 312 ↓ -34%
Mackenzie son of Coinneach Scottish 228 ↓ -42%
Maria form of Mary; meaning uncertain Latin 87 ↑ +16%
Melanie dark, black Greek 142 ↓ -18%
Makayla modern form of Michaela; who is like God? American (modern coinage) 568 ↓ -44%
Mary uncertain; often said bitter or beloved Hebrew 125 → 0%
Molly diminutive of Mary English 196 → -3%
Mariah form of Maria, meaning uncertain Hebrew 448 ↓ -35%
Mya variant of Maya or Mia American (modern coinage) 444 ↓ -44%
Margaret pearl Greek 112 ↑ +11%
Melody song Greek 79 ↑ +23%
Michelle who is like God? French 465 ↓ -28%
Mckenzie son of Coinneach (Kenneth) Scottish 576 ↓ -54%
Marley pleasant wood or clearing English 322 ↓ -31%
Megan pearl (Welsh pet form of Margaret) Welsh 889 ↓ -34%
Melissa honeybee Greek 420 ↓ -16%
Makenzie son of Coinneach (Kenneth) Scottish 700 ↓ -55%
Maggie pearl English 294 → -5%
Mariana of Marius; also Maria plus Ana Latin 261 → +5%
Maeve she who intoxicates Irish 76 ↑ +92%
Mckenna son of Cionaodh Irish 410 ↓ -33%
Miranda worthy of admiration Latin 656 ↓ -21%
Miriam uncertain; possibly beloved or wished for Hebrew 246 ↑ +10%
Millie diminutive of Mildred or Millicent English 73 ↑ +123%
Malia Hawaiian form of Mary Hawaiian 349 ↓ -26%
Makenna son of Cionaodh Irish 593 ↓ -36%
Mikayla who is like God Hebrew 748 ↓ -34%
Myla variant of Mila or Miles American (modern coinage) 210 ↑ +26%
Madilyn of Magdala; variant of Madeline American (modern coinage) 464 ↓ -30%
Madeleine woman from Magdala French 455 ↓ -13%
Marissa elaboration of Maria; linked to the sea English 1,679 ↓ -46%
Mallory unfortunate French 372 ↑ +58%
Magnolia the magnolia flower Latin 124 ↑ +38%
Maddison son of Maud English 439 ↑ +8%
Margot pearl French 102 ↑ +103%
Maci variant of Macy American (modern coinage) 773 ↓ -48%
Miley modern name from the nickname Smiley American (modern coinage) 338 ↑ +144%
Macy from a French place name English 720 ↓ -17%
Miracle a miracle, a wonder English 492 ↓ -27%
Macie variant of Macy, a surname English 438 ↑ +23%
Madelynn variant of Madeline, 'of Magdala' American (modern coinage) 524 ↓ -10%
Maliyah variant of Malia, Hawaiian form of Mary American (modern coinage) 626 ↓ -30%
Michaela who is like God? Hebrew 843 ↓ -28%
Monica — Latin 737 ↓ -8%
Marlee modern spelling of Marley English 536 ↓ -21%
Melany dark Greek 399 ↑ +73%
Mckinley son of Finlay, 'fair warrior' Scottish 714 ↓ -27%
Meredith great lord Welsh 469 ↑ +32%
Mabel lovable English 201 ↑ +112%
Madisyn son of Maud English 1,332 ↓ -56%
Milani uncertain; possibly from Milan American (modern coinage) 288 → -4%
Maia mother, nurse Greek 433 ↑ +16%
Madalyn woman from Magdala English 946 ↓ -18%
Marilyn blend of Mary and Lynn English 761 ↓ -22%
Maisie pearl; pet form of Margaret Scottish 233 ↑ +73%
Mira wonderful; also peace Latin 335 ↑ +44%
Matilda strength in battle Germanic 365 ↑ +31%
Maryam uncertain; form of Miriam Arabic 351 ↑ +45%
Meadow grassy field English 286 ↑ +67%
Melina possibly honey Greek 660 → -2%
Marie uncertain; French form of Mary French 618 → +0%
Madilynn modern spelling of Madeline American (modern coinage) 860 ↓ -48%
Mariam uncertain; form of Miriam Aramaic 505 ↑ +30%
Marina of the sea Latin 602 ↑ +22%
Mikaela who is like God? Hebrew 1,037 ↓ -33%
Malaysia from the name of the country English 958 ↓ -42%
Mae form of May English 501 ↑ +16%
Marisol from Maria de la Soledad; sea and sun Spanish 667 ↑ +62%
Myra — English 663 ↓ -20%
Mara bitter Hebrew 589 ↑ +8%
Martha lady, mistress Aramaic 713 ↑ +11%
Mina short form of names like Wilhelmina German 597 ↑ +13%
Maren of the sea (from Marina) Scandinavian 472 ↓ -7%
Madyson son of Maud American (modern coinage) 2,315 ↓ -36%
Meghan pearl Welsh 1,906 ↓ -66%
Malaya free (Tagalog) Tagalog 775 ↓ -18%
Myah variant of Mia American (modern coinage) 1,752 ↓ -48%
Maleah variant of Malia American (modern coinage) 1,215 ↓ -40%
Madalynn of Magdala (variant of Madeline) American (modern coinage) 1,370 ↓ -38%
Miah variant of Mia American (modern coinage) 1,490 ↓ -39%
Malani uncertain; often said calm heavens Hawaiian 374 ↑ +33%
Marianna Maria plus Anna Italian 874 ↓ -7%
Mercedes mercies Spanish 1,439 ↓ -15%
Mylah variant of Mila or Myla American (modern coinage) 605 ↑ +33%
Milana gracious, dear Slavic 812 ↓ -17%
Mollie pet form of Mary English 1,116 ↓ -5%
Mercy mercy, compassion English 867 ↓ -8%
Maxine greatest English 497 ↑ +61%
Milena gracious, dear Slavic 950 ↓ -18%
Mckayla who is like God American (modern coinage) 3,197 ↓ -53%
Marleigh variant of Marley, an English place name American (modern coinage) 976 ↓ -32%
Magdalena woman from Magdala Hebrew 850 ↑ +25%
Mattie pet form of Martha or Matilda English 1,005 → +3%
Moriah uncertain; biblical place name Hebrew 1,093 ↑ +14%
Monserrat serrated mountain Spanish 1,450 ↓ -11%
Macey from a French place name English 1,619 ↓ -17%
Mariyah variant of Mariah, a form of Mary American (modern coinage) 2,399 ↓ -55%
Marlene contraction of Maria Magdalene German 1,268 ↑ +31%
Margo pearl French 559 ↑ +52%
Mavis song thrush English 561 ↑ +65%
Maritza diminutive of Maria Spanish 2,846 ↓ -39%
Miya shrine, temple (Japanese); form of Mia Japanese 1,681 ↓ -40%
Marlowe remnant of a lake English 523 ↑ +106%
Maliah modern variant of Malia American (modern coinage) 1,688 ↓ -45%
Micaela who is like God? Spanish 1,286 ↓ -25%
Maddie short form of Madison or Madeline English 927 ↑ +40%
Montserrat serrated mountain Catalan 1,377 ↓ -19%
Mayra — Spanish 2,168 ↓ -36%
Marjorie pearl English 1,019 ↑ +17%
Malayah uncertain; modern coinage American (modern coinage) 1,084 ↓ -18%
Mika varies by language Japanese 1,641 ↓ -20%
Maylee modern blend of May and Lee American (modern coinage) 1,023 ↑ +8%
Marceline from Marcellinus; little Marcus French 424 ↑ +179%
Makena happy one, from Kikuyu Kikuyu 2,740 ↓ -47%
Marcella of Mars; from Marcellus Latin 948 ↑ +12%
Mireya uncertain; possibly to admire Spanish 1,147 ↑ +7%
Marisa blend of Maria and Luisa Italian 5,178 ↓ -63%
Maryjane blend of Mary and Jane English 1,840 ↓ -35%
Mylee modern coinage American (modern coinage) 1,765 ↑ +32%
Mariela diminutive of Maria Spanish 1,232 ↑ +32%
Marian uncertain; medieval form of Mary English 1,103 ↑ +32%
Marin of the sea Latin 2,043 ↓ -16%
Milagros miracles Spanish 1,545 ↑ +7%
Malka queen Hebrew 1,011 ↑ +36%
Meilani uncertain; modern Hawaiian-style name American (modern coinage) 591 ↑ +66%
Maisy little Margaret; pearl Scottish 745 ↑ +72%
Maite beloved (Basque); María Teresa Basque 1,195 ↑ +27%
Maribel blend of Maria and Isabel Spanish 1,662 → -2%
Marlie form of Marley; from a place name English 1,422 → -2%
Melani form of Melanie; dark Greek 1,056 ↓ -9%
Mariella little Maria Italian 943 ↑ +51%
Milania modern name; uncertain origin American (modern coinage) 1,727 → +4%
Malak angel Arabic 1,544 → -4%
Maura uncertain; Irish name or dark Irish 1,640 → -3%
Meera uncertain; possibly 'ocean' or 'boundary' Sanskrit 1,020 ↑ +44%
Melinda from Greek meli honey plus -inda English 1,985 ↓ -8%
Mazie pearl (via Margaret) English 966 ↑ +46%
Margarita pearl Spanish 1,893 ↑ +18%
Martina of Mars (feminine of Martin) Latin 1,371 ↑ +9%
Marigold marigold flower English 590 ↑ +123%
Milah dear, gracious (variant of Mila) American (modern coinage) 1,689 ↓ -39%
Makiyah — American (modern coinage) 2,981 ↓ -40%
Melania black, dark Greek 1,172 → +3%
Marely — Spanish 3,878 ↑ +52%
Miyah modern variant of Mia or Maya American (modern coinage) 3,751 ↓ -60%
Maelynn blend of Mae and Lynn American (modern coinage) 1,055 ↑ +7%
Marcela little Marcus Spanish 1,554 ↑ +30%
Monique French form of Monica; uncertain French 3,370 ↓ -6%
Margaux French form of Margaret; pearl French 1,199 ↑ +22%
Mari form of Mary Welsh 1,620 ↑ +37%
Maiya variant of Maya American (modern coinage) 2,398 → 0%
Maylin blend of May and Lin American (modern coinage) 1,680 ↑ +28%
Melia ash tree Greek 2,527 ↓ -33%
Mariel diminutive of Maria German 893 ↑ +210%
Malina raspberry Slavic 2,167 ↓ -12%
May the month of May; pet form of Mary English 1,233 ↑ +54%
Mayte contraction of María Teresa Spanish 2,713 ↓ -16%
Maryann blend of Mary and Ann English 1,773 ↑ +34%
Magdalene woman of Magdala Hebrew 1,345 ↑ +47%
Mayah variant of Maya; several sources American (modern coinage) 2,802 ↓ -30%
Moira Irish form of Mary; also Greek fate Irish 2,047 ↓ -16%
Mackenna from an Irish surname; son of Cionaodh Irish 3,233 ↓ -32%
Maizie pet form of Margaret, 'pearl' Scottish 901 ↑ +105%
Maelyn blend of Mae and Lynn American (modern coinage) 1,249 ↑ +15%
Makaila variant of Michaela; who is like God American (modern coinage) 8,666 ↓ -40%
Maliya variant of Malia American (modern coinage) 3,090 ↓ -47%
Makaylah variant of Michaela; who is like God American (modern coinage) 7,735 ↓ -58%
Maryn of the sea American (modern coinage) 2,187 ↓ -28%
Makenzi son of Coinneach Scottish 6,467 ↓ -58%
Misha who is like God Russian 3,236 ↓ -46%
Meagan variant of Megan; pearl Welsh — ↓ -100%
Marielle diminutive of Marie French 1,699 ↑ +7%
Madisson variant of Madison: son of Maud American (modern coinage) 319 ↑ +1524%
Maycee variant of Macy American (modern coinage) 3,281 ↓ -34%
Marlen variant of Marlene German 3,626 ↓ -25%
Marli variant of Marley or pet form of Marlene American (modern coinage) 2,317 ↓ -12%
Mariajose combination of Maria and José Spanish 2,982 ↓ -19%
Myka variant of Micah, 'who is like God?' American (modern coinage) 3,198 ↓ -40%
Mindy diminutive of Melinda English 2,401 ↓ -13%
Milly pet form of Millicent, Mildred or Amelia English 1,790 ↑ +10%
Miabella blend of Mia and Bella; 'my beautiful' American (modern coinage) 2,272 ↓ -13%
Malky queen; pet form of Malka Yiddish 1,516 ↑ +37%
Marianne blend of Marie and Anne French 1,828 ↑ +22%
Malena blend of María and Elena, or Magdalena Spanish 2,271 ↑ +37%
Mona uncertain; several possible sources Irish 2,806 ↓ -38%
Melisa honeybee Greek 2,950 ↑ +30%
Maple maple tree English 1,092 ↑ +69%
Millicent strong in work Germanic 1,900 → +4%
Mandy lovable English 4,514 ↓ -22%
Melodie melody, song French 2,032 → +3%
Makiya modern name of uncertain origin American (modern coinage) 4,717 ↓ -36%
Maisyn variant of Mason, stoneworker American (modern coinage) 1,661 ↓ -29%
Mylie modern variant of Miley American (modern coinage) 2,920 ↑ +115%
Magaly pearl; form of Margaret French 3,087 → -4%
Marwa a hill near Mecca; fragrant plant Arabic 1,720 ↑ +59%
Mildred gentle strength Old English 1,973 → +2%
Mileena variant of Milena, gracious, dear American (modern coinage) 1,974 ↓ -19%
Mahogany the mahogany tree and wood English 2,676 ↓ -24%
Milla short form of Camilla or Ludmila Scandinavian 3,817 ↓ -33%
Maricela blend of Maria and Celia Spanish 2,712 ↑ +33%
Makinley variant of McKinley, son of Finlay Scottish 5,052 ↓ -54%
Mallorie variant of Mallory, unlucky French 2,601 ↑ +10%
Marbella from the Spanish resort town Spanish 1,364 ↑ +166%
Marlena blend of Maria and Magdalena German 2,983 ↓ -22%
Mazikeen from Hebrew mazzikin, demons Hebrew 1,626 ↓ -50%
Marguerite French form of Margaret, pearl; daisy French 2,505 → 0%
Madisen son of Maud or Matthew English 8,662 ↓ -52%
Mariya form of Maria Russian 3,879 ↑ +15%
Marla short form of Marlene German 2,055 ↑ +35%
Mirabelle wonderful, lovely French 2,249 ↑ +9%
Manuela feminine of Manuel, God is with us Spanish 2,573 ↓ -27%
Mayla uncertain, modern coinage American (modern coinage) 1,763 ↑ +20%
Malinda variant of Melinda English 2,881 → -2%
Maelee blend of Mae and Lee American (modern coinage) 2,316 ↑ +52%
Malika queen Arabic 2,711 ↓ -27%
Mckinlee variant of McKinley, son of Fionnlagh American (modern coinage) 3,689 ↓ -56%
Madelyne variant of Madeline, woman of Magdala French 2,270 ↑ +131%
Marta form of Martha, lady Spanish 2,056 ↑ +37%
Maizy variant of Maisie, pet form of Margaret American (modern coinage) 1,899 ↑ +37%
Makyla modern variant of Michaela or Kayla American (modern coinage) 5,500 → 0%
Madelin variant of Madeline English 2,426 ↑ +57%
Maeva welcome (Tahitian) — 1,403 ↑ +68%
Maira uncertain, possibly variant of Moira — 2,765 ↑ +22%
Malaika angel Swahili 2,344 ↑ +26%
Michele feminine of Michael, who is like God French 4,837 ↓ -20%
Manha uncertain; possibly Arabic for gift Arabic 2,345 → -2%
Minerva Roman goddess of wisdom Latin 2,112 ↑ +29%
Madysen variant of Madison American (modern coinage) 12,668 ↓ -59%
Maddilyn blend of Maddie and -lyn American (modern coinage) 5,335 ↓ -63%
Malorie variant of Mallory: unlucky, ill-omened French 3,057 ↑ +8%
Mariama West African form of Mariam (Mary) Arabic 2,375 ↑ +23%
Maryah variant of Mariah American (modern coinage) 8,170 ↓ -62%
Makaela variant of Michaela: who is like God? Hebrew 8,162 ↓ -41%
Malea uncertain; perhaps a variant of Malia American (modern coinage) 5,842 ↓ -48%
Meira light Hebrew 2,046 ↑ +15%
Maleigha modern respelling of Malia American (modern coinage) 6,038 ↓ -66%
Merida from the Spanish city of Mérida Spanish 2,677 ↓ -29%
Marisela Spanish blend of Maria and Isela Spanish 5,055 ↓ -26%
Markayla modern blend of Mar- and Kayla American (modern coinage) 7,746 ↓ -39%
Myleigh modern respelling of Miley or Mylee American (modern coinage) 3,061 ↑ +54%
Mahi great, earth Sanskrit 4,234 ↑ +6%
Mattison variant of Madison; son of Matthew English 6,254 ↓ -49%
Maddyn modern variant of Madden or Madison American (modern coinage) 2,313 ↑ +5%
Mei beautiful; plum blossom Chinese 1,744 ↑ +80%
Maja Scandinavian and Slavic form of Maria or Maia Scandinavian 3,747 ↑ +8%
Madina the city, from Medina Arabic 2,314 ↑ +14%
Meah variant of Mia Italian 7,378 ↓ -21%
Mai dance (Japanese); flower (Vietnamese); May Japanese 3,016 ↑ +15%
Mirabella wonderful, beautiful Latin 2,637 ↑ +27%
Maliha beautiful, charming Arabic 5,340 ↓ -58%
Mabry English surname of uncertain origin English 2,634 ↑ +14%
Maycie variant of Macy English 3,627 ↑ +27%
Misty covered in mist English 4,140 ↓ -5%
Mareli Spanish-language name of uncertain origin Spanish 6,040 ↑ +82%
Magali Provençal form of Margaret, pearl French 4,511 ↓ -6%
Maile fragrant Hawaiian vine Hawaiian 4,316 ↑ +44%
Mischa Russian diminutive of Mikhail, who is like God Russian 5,059 ↓ -13%
Minnie diminutive of Wilhelmina or Mary English 3,060 ↓ -24%
Macee variant of Macy English 8,661 ↓ -61%
Miliana variant of Emiliana or Milana Latin 2,574 ↑ +21%
Maris of the sea Latin 3,280 ↓ -24%
Monika variant of Monica, origin uncertain Latin 6,478 ↓ -46%
Maddisyn variant of Madison English 8,155 ↓ -70%
Mirabel wonderful Latin 2,575 ↑ +84%
Myracle variant of Miracle English 4,143 ↓ -42%
Mayzie variant of Maisie; pearl American (modern coinage) 2,045 ↑ +45%
Mea Latin for mine; variant of Mia Latin 6,738 ↓ -19%
Mali Welsh form of Molly (Mary) Welsh 3,954 ↓ -24%
Mykayla variant of Michaela, who is like God American (modern coinage) 10,658 ↓ -47%
Monet from the surname of painter Monet French 3,752 ↑ +33%
Melannie variant of Melanie, "black, dark" Greek 6,473 ↓ -22%
Madelynne variant of Madeline, "woman from Magdala" Hebrew 5,496 ↓ -21%
Maureen little Mary, from Irish Mairin Irish 4,424 ↑ +7%
Maisey variant of Maisie; pearl Scottish 1,938 ↑ +79%
Marilynn variant of Marilyn, blend of Mary and Lynn English 3,685 ↓ -23%
Mayrin variant of Mairin (Maureen), "little Mary" Irish 11,564 ↓ -43%
Myasia modern blend of My and Asia American (modern coinage) 5,852 → -4%
Maegan variant of Megan, pearl Welsh — ↓ -100%
Madaline variant of Madeline, "woman from Magdala" Hebrew 6,036 ↑ +5%
Marlyn variant of Marilyn, blend of Mary and Lynn English 5,653 ↓ -27%
Meara possibly Irish, mirth Irish 3,091 ↑ +47%
Marcia feminine of Marcius, from Mars Latin 3,434 → +2%
Makaylee blend of Makayla and Lee American (modern coinage) 9,246 ↓ -31%
Monserrath variant of Montserrat, "serrated mountain" Catalan 4,046 ↑ +90%
Mckenzi variant of McKenzie, "son of Coinneach" Scottish 16,451 ↓ -76%
Maryanne blend of Mary and Anne English 3,686 ↑ +86%
Mattea feminine of Matteo, "gift of God" Italian 5,056 ↓ -7%
Mercedez variant of Mercedes, "mercies" Spanish 10,631 ↓ -31%
Macyn variant of Mason; stoneworker American (modern coinage) 6,462 ↓ -25%
Maha oryx, a symbol of beautiful eyes Arabic 2,764 ↑ +63%
Mahalia possibly tender, from Hebrew Mahala Hebrew 3,088 ↓ -18%
Maleia modern variant of Malia American (modern coinage) 2,880 ↑ +9%
Makenzy variant of McKenzie, "son of Coinneach" Scottish 14,287 ↓ -57%
Malayna uncertain; modern coinage American (modern coinage) 5,176 ↓ -26%

This page shows the most popular names. For every name with a full profile, see the A to Z directory.