Not only are there extremely popular names that start with “M,” but there are historical names and biblical names as well. Because there is a lot to consider when coming up with a name for the new addition to your family, history, trends, and even your surroundings can have an impact on what you choose. If you want to use an “M” name specifically, there is a lot to choose from.
Mack
Origin: English Meaning: Son of Alternative Spellings & Variations: Mac Famous Namesakes: Late musician Mac Miller is one of the more well-known people with this name. Peak Popularity: Mack is an old-fashioned name that saw most of its popularity in the early 1900s. However, it’s becoming popular again in recent years.
Mackenzie
Origin: Scottish Meaning: Son of Kenneth Alternative Spellings & Variations: McKenzie, MacKenzie Famous Namesakes: Actresses Mackenzie Foy and Mackenzie Phillips Peak Popularity: Mackenzie has been popular since the 1990s, but its biggest year was 2001.
Maddox
Origin: EnglishMeaning: Son of MadocFamous Namesakes: Angelina Jolie’s oldest son’s name is Maddox.Peak Popularity: Maddox has grown in popularity since the early 2000s, and 2017 was its peak year.
Madison
Origin: EnglishMeaning: Son of MatthewAlternative Spellings & Variations: Maddison, Maddy, MaddieFamous Namesakes: Outer Banks actress Madison Bailey and singer Madison Beer.Peak Popularity: Madison has been popular since the early 2000s, reaching No. 2 a few years. However, it’s never been No. 1.
Mae
Origin: EnglishMeaning: Month of MayAlternative Spellings & Variations: MayFamous Namesakes: Actress Mae West is a well-known Mae in historyPeak Popularity: Mae was a popular name in the early 1900s.
Maeve
Origin: Irish Meaning: Intoxicating Famous Namesakes: Irish author Maeve Binchy Peak Popularity: Maeve has grown in popularity in recent years and only continues to climb up the list.
Mara
Origin: Hebrew Meaning: Of the sea Alternative Spellings & Variations: Meara Famous Namesakes: Actress Mara Wilson, who played Matilda in the popular movie. Peak Popularity: Mara has held steady on the popularity list, though its biggest year was 1990.
Marcus
Origin: Latin Meaning: Warlike Alternative Spellings & Variations: Markus Famous Namesakes: Mumford and Sons singer Marcus Mumford and civil rights activist Marcus Garvey Peak Popularity: Marcus was a popular name for baby boys in the 1970s and 1980s.
Marcy
Origin: AmericanMeaning: WarlikeAlternative Spellings & Variations: Marcie, MarciFamous Namesakes: Singers Marcie Blane and Marcie FreePeak Popularity: Marcy was a popular name in the 1970s but fell off the Social Security Administration list after 1988.
Margaret
Origin: EnglishMeaning: PearlAlternative Spellings & Variations: Maggie, MargeFamous Namesakes: Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, British Princess Margaret, and poet Margaret AtwoodPeak Popularity: Since 1900, Margaret was in the top-10 baby names through the 1930s. It decreased in popularity but still remains on the list.
Maria
Origin: LatinMeaning: Of the seaFamous Namesakes: Actress Maria Menounos and tennis player Maria SharapovaPeak Popularity: Maria has always been a popular name but it peaked in 1975.
Marianne
Origin: French Meaning: Of the sea Alternative Spellings & Variations: Mary Ann, Maryanne, MaryAnne, Marian Famous Namesakes: Singer Marianne Faithfull and actress Marianne Jean-Baptiste Peak Popularity: Marianne saw its biggest year in 1957.
Marion
Origin: HebrewMeaning: BitterAlternative Spellings & Variations: MarienFamous Namesakes: Actresses Marion Ross and Marion CotillardPeak Popularity: Marion was a popular name for both boys and girls in the early 1900s. It peaked for boys in 1921 and in 1922 for girls.
Mark
Origin: Latin Meaning: Warlike Alternative Spellings & Variations: Marc Famous Namesakes: Actors Mark Ruffalo, Mark Hammill, and Mark Wahlberg Peak Popularity: The 1950s and 1960s were popular decades for the name Mark.
Martin
Origin: LatinMeaning: God of warAlternative Spellings & Variations: MartynFamous Namesakes: Funnymen Martin Short and Martin Lawrence are two popular Martins.Peak Popularity: Martin has long been popular, but the 1960s were the biggest decade.
Mary
Origin: HebrewMeaning: BelovedAlternative Spellings & Variations: Merry, MarryFamous Namesakes: There are a number of famous Marys, including religious figures like Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as in pop culture. Singer Mary J. Blige and actress Mary Tyler Moore are two popular Marys in recent history.Peak Popularity: Mary was the most popular name for baby girls born from 1900 through 1946.
Mason
Origin: EnglishMeaning: Stone workerAlternative Spellings & Variations: MasenFamous Namesakes: Singer Mason Jennings and actor Mason CookPeak Popularity: Mason has become a very popular name in recent years, seeing its peak in the 2010s.
Matthew
Origin: English Meaning: Gift of God Alternative Spellings & Variations: Matt Famous Namesakes: There are a lot of famous actors named Matthew, like Matthew McConaughey, Matthew Perry, Matthew Gray Gubler, Matthew Broderick, and Matthew Lillard. Peak Popularity: Matthew has been popular since the 1970s, though it’s never reached No. 1.
Maverick
Origin: AmericanMeaning: Wildly independentFamous Namesakes: Golfer Maverick McNealy and basketball player Maverick MorganPeak Popularity: Maverick is becoming more and more popular. Its best year was 2020.
Max
Origin: LatinMeaning: GreatestAlternative Spellings & Variations: Maximilian, Maxine, Maximus, MaxwellFamous Namesakes: Actors Max Greenfield and Max Von SydowPeak Popularity: The name Max was most popular in 2011.
Maya
Origin: English Meaning: Illusion Alternative Spellings & Variations: Mya Famous Namesakes: Actor Maya Rudolph and activist Maya Angelou Peak Popularity: Maya’s biggest year was 2006.
McKinley
Origin: IrishMeaning: Fair-haired foreignerFamous Namesakes: McKinley is more commonly found as a last name, like former President William McKinley.Peak Popularity: McKinley has only been on the list since 2006, but it’s holding strong in popularity.
Megan
Origin: Welsh Meaning: Pearl Alternative Spellings & Variations: Meghan, Meghann, Maegan, Meagan, Meaghan Famous Namesakes: Megan is a popular name among celebrities. Famous people with the name include Meghan Markle, Megan Thee Stallion, Meg Ryan, and Megan Rapinoe. Peak Popularity: Megan was a very popular name in the 1980s and 1990s.
Melissa
Origin: Greek Meaning: Bee Alternative Spellings & Variations: Mel, Melisa Famous Namesakes: Actresses Melissa McCarthy and Melissa Joan Hart Peak Popularity: The 1960s and 1970s were big decades for baby girls named Melissa.
Melody
Origin: EnglishMeaning: Song tuneAlternative Spellings & Variations: Melodie, Melodi, MelFamous Namesakes: Pussycat Dolls singer Melody ThorntonPeak Popularity: Melody is getting more and more popular, with 2020 being the biggest year yet.
Mia
Origin: EnglishMeaning: Of the seaAlternative Spellings & Variations: MeaFamous Namesakes: Model and actress Mia Farrow is one of the most famous Mias.Peak Popularity: Mia has been in the top 10 of baby names since 2009.
Micah
Origin: HebrewMeaning: Who is like GodFamous Namesakes: Football player Micah Hyde and baseball player Micah JohnsonPeak Popularity: Micah has seen a burst of popularity in the 2000s.
Michael
Origin: HebrewMeaning: Who is like GodAlternative Spellings & Variations: Mike, MichealFamous Namesakes: Michael is a very popular name, and there are quite a few famous people with this name, like legendary basketball player Michael Jordan, Beetlejuice actor Michael Keaton, and singer Michael Buble.Peak Popularity: Michael was the most popular name for baby boys born in the U.S. from 1954 through 1998, except for 1960.
Michelle
Origin: FrenchMeaning: Who is like GodAlternative Spellings & Variations: MicheleFamous Namesakes: Actress Michelle Pfeiffer, singer Michelle Williams, and former first lady Michelle ObamaPeak Popularity: Michelle was big in the 1960s and 1970s.
Miles
Origin: LatinMeaning: SoldierAlternative Spellings & Variations: MylesFamous Namesakes: Musician Miles Davis and actor Miles TellerPeak Popularity: Miles is gaining steam on the popularity charts. Its biggest year so far was 2020.
Millicent
Origin: EnglishMeaning: Labor, strengthAlternative Spellings & Variations: Milicent, MillyPeak Popularity: Millicent was a popular name in the 1920s.
Mitchell
Origin: AmericanMeaning: Who is like GodAlternative Spellings & Variations: Mitch, MitchelFamous Namesakes: Comedian Mitch Hedberg and author Mitch AlbomPeak Popularity: Mitchell saw its peak popularity in the 1990s.
Molly
Origin: EnglishMeaning: BitterAlternative Spellings & Variations: Molli, MollieFamous Namesakes: Actresses Molly Ringwald and Molly ShannonPeak Popularity: Molly was most popular in the 1990s.
Monica
Origin: LatinMeaning: TruthAlternative Spellings & Variations: MonikaFamous Namesakes: Singer Monica and Cheer coach Monica AldamaPeak Popularity: Monica was a popular name in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s.
Morgan
Origin: WelshMeaning: Great circleAlternative Spellings & Variations: MorgenFamous Namesakes: Both celebrity men and women have the name Morgan, like Morgan Freeman and Morgan Fairchild.Peak Popularity: Morgan was a very popular name in the 1990s.
