Girl Names That Start With M, Popular and Rare Picks
Currently popular M names for girls
- Mila (Slavic roots, commonly read as meaning dear or gracious)
- Maya (Sanskrit/Hebrew roots, meanings vary by source)
- Madison (English, originally a surname meaning son of Maud)
- Madelyn (a modern variant spelling linked to Madeline)
- Melody (English, from the musical term)
- Margot (French, a short form linked to Margaret, meaning pearl)
Rare and less common M names for girls
- Maeve (Irish, meaning she who intoxicates, tied to a legendary Irish queen)
- Magnolia (English, from the flowering tree, itself named after botanist Pierre Magnol)
- Maisie (Scottish, a diminutive form linked to Margaret, meaning pearl)
- Millie (English, a short form usable independently, linked to Amelia or Millicent)
- Mirren (Scottish, linked to Muireann, an older Irish name)
Quick facts
| Common origins | Slavic, French, Irish, English |
| Common meaning themes | pearl, dearness, water/illusion depending on root |
| Common nickname pattern | shortened to Mia, Maddy, Millie |
Frequently asked questions
What is the most popular girl’s name starting with M?
Mila and Maya are both currently strong choices in recent US naming data.
Where does the name Maeve come from?
Maeve is Irish, tied to Medb, a legendary queen in Irish mythology, and is commonly read as meaning she who intoxicates.
Related reading
Boy equivalent: boy names starting with M. Broader unique-names list: unique girl names. Mixed overview: baby names starting with M.