This list includes 88 male names that start with M, from “Mac” to “Name”. These male M names span cultures and styles, offering traditional, modern, and regional options for parents, writers, and genealogists.
Male names that start with M are given names for boys and men beginning with the letter M. Many cultures favor M names like “Muhammad” or “Michael”, which carry deep religious or historical weight.
Below you’ll find the table with Name, Origin, Meaning, and Famous bearers.
Name: The name entry helps you scan sounds and spellings to judge fit for a baby, character, or ancestor.
Origin: Shows the language or culture where the name comes from, helping you pick names with desired heritage or tone.
Meaning: Gives the name’s literal meaning or root, so you can choose names that reflect values or symbolic traits.
Famous bearers: Lists well-known people who share the name, giving context and examples for cultural recognition and inspiration.
Male names that start with M
| Name | Origin | Meaning | Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Origin | Meaning | Popularity |
| Michael | Hebrew | Who is like God? | US #16 |
| Matthew | Hebrew | Gift of God | US #37 |
| Mason | French | Stoneworker | US #24 |
| Miles | Latin | Soldier | US #52 |
| Maverick | American | Independent, nonconformist | US #40 |
| Mateo | Spanish, Hebrew | Gift of God | US #11 |
| Milo | German | Soldier or “merciful” | US #118 |
| Micah | Hebrew | Who is like the Lord? | US #109 |
| Maxwell | Scottish | Great stream | US #187 |
| Max | Latin | Greatest | US #158 |
| Muhammad | Arabic | Praiseworthy | England & Wales #5 |
| Maddox | Welsh | Son of Madoc or “fortunate” | US #175 |
| Malachi | Hebrew | My messenger | US #171 |
| Marcus | Latin | Dedicated to Mars | US #258 |
| Mark | Latin | Dedicated to Mars | US #271 |
| Martin | Latin | Of Mars, warlike | US #313 |
| Miguel | Hebrew | Who is like God? | US #179 |
| Myles | Latin | Soldier | US #112 |
| Magnus | Latin | Great | Uncommon |
| Malcolm | Gaelic | Devotee of Saint Columba | US #358 |
| Manuel | Hebrew | God is with us | US #331 |
| Marshall | Germanic | Horse servant | US #461 |
| Matias | Hebrew | Gift of God | US #257 |
| Matthias | Hebrew | Gift of God | US #472 |
| Maximus | Latin | Greatest | US #263 |
| Messiah | Hebrew | Anointed one | US #393 |
| Miller | English | Grinder of grain | US #695 |
| Mitchell | English | Who is like God? | US #494 |
| Morgan | Welsh | Sea-born or “sea-circle” | US #229 |
| Moses | Egyptian | Born of or “son” | US #553 |
| Milan | Slavic | Gracious, dear | US #422 |
| Major | Latin | Greater | US #369 |
| Malik | Arabic | King, sovereign | US #414 |
| Marco | Italian | Warlike | US #423 |
| Mario | Latin | Manly or “from Mars” | US #440 |
| Marvin | Welsh | Sea hill | US #523 |
| Mekhi | Hebrew | Who is like God? | US #504 |
| Memphis | Greek, Egyptian | Enduring and beautiful | US #530 |
| Moises | Egyptian, Hebrew | Drawn from the water | US #405 |
| Musa | Arabic, Hebrew | Drawn from the water | UK #92 |
| Mustafa | Arabic | The chosen one | Uncommon |
| Marcel | French | Little warrior | US #878 |
| Marcellus | Latin | Little warrior | US #824 |
| Maurice | Latin | Dark-skinned, Moorish | US #931 |
| Maximilian | Latin | Greatest | US #657 |
| Murphy | Gaelic | Sea warrior | US #906 |
| Mac | Gaelic | Son of | Uncommon |
| Mack | Gaelic | Son of | US #635 |
| Madden | Gaelic | Little dog | US #787 |
| Makai | Hawaiian | Toward the sea | US #456 |
| Marlon | French, English | Little hawk | US #536 |
| Marquis | French | Nobleman | US #852 |
| Melvin | Irish, Scottish | Chief or “armored chief” | US #835 |
| Monroe | Gaelic | From the mouth of the Roe River | US #669 |
| Mordecai | Persian, Hebrew | Follower of Marduk or “little man” | Uncommon |
| Marius | Latin | Manly or “related to Mars” | Uncommon |
| Maxim | Latin | Greatest | Uncommon |
| Mercer | French | Merchant | Rare |
| Merlin | Welsh | Sea fortress | Rare |
| Misha | Russian, Hebrew | Who is like God? | Uncommon |
| Mohan | Sanskrit | Charming, enchanting | Uncommon in US |
| Montgomery | French | Gumaric’s hill | Rare |
| Murray | Gaelic | Settlement by the sea | Rare |
| Myron | Greek | Myrrh, fragrant oil | Rare |
| Marcelo | Latin | Little warrior | US #943 |
| Manfred | German | Man of peace | Rare |
| Marley | English | Pleasant seaside meadow | US #868 (unisex) |
| Meir | Hebrew | One who illuminates | Rare |
| Miroslav | Slavic | Peace and glory | Rare |
| Milton | English | Mill town | Rare |
| Mikhail | Hebrew | Who is like God? | Uncommon |
| Murdoch | Gaelic | Sea warrior | Rare |
| Monty | French | Pointed hill | Rare |
| Mortimer | French | Dead sea | Rare |
| Munir | Arabic | Brilliant, shining | Rare |
| Murad | Arabic | Desired, wished for | Rare |
| Mahmoud | Arabic | Praised | Uncommon |
| Mace | English | Heavy club or spice | Rare |
| Merrick | Welsh, English | Moor or “ruler of the sea” | Uncommon |
| Manny | Hebrew | God is with us | Uncommon |
| Mickey | Hebrew | Who is like God? | Rare |
| Meredith | Welsh | Great lord | Rare |
| Madhav | Sanskrit | Of the springtime, vernal | Uncommon in US |
| Manish | Sanskrit | Lord of the mind | Uncommon in US |
| Mehdi | Arabic | Rightly guided | Uncommon |
| Maynard | Germanic | Brave strength | Rare |
| Mohammed | Arabic | Praiseworthy | Common |
Descriptions
Name
Description
Michael
A timeless biblical name, consistently popular for centuries. Pronounced (MY-kuhl). Variants include Mike and Mickey.
Matthew
A classic name of one of the New Testament apostles. Enduringly popular worldwide. Pronounced (MATH-yoo).
Mason
Originally an occupational surname, this name has become a modern favorite for boys.
Miles
A sophisticated name with ancient roots and a cool, modern feel. Associated with jazz legend Miles Davis.
Maverick
A bold and modern American word name that suggests individuality. Popularized by the movie *Top Gun*.
Mateo
The Spanish and Italian version of Matthew. Hugely popular and stylish. Pronounced (muh-TAY-oh).
Milo
A charming and friendly name that has been rising in popularity. Pronounced (MY-low).
Micah
An Old Testament prophet’s name, seen as a softer, gentler alternative to Michael.
Maxwell
A distinguished Scottish surname now a common first name. Often shortened to Max.
Max
A short, strong name, often a nickname for Maxwell or Maximus but very popular on its own.
Muhammad
One of the most popular names in the world for boys. The central prophet of Islam.
Maddox
A modern, stylish Welsh surname-turned-first-name, boosted by celebrity use.
Malachi
An Old Testament prophet’s name with a gentle but strong sound. Pronounced (MAL-uh-kye).
Marcus
A classic Roman name with a strong, historical feel. A timeless alternative to Mark.
Mark
A New Testament author. A straightforward classic name with enduring appeal.
Martin
A historic name borne by saints and leaders, like Martin Luther King Jr.
Miguel
The popular and classic Spanish and Portuguese form of Michael.
Myles
A popular alternate spelling of Miles that has a slightly more modern feel.
Magnus
A powerful name used by Scandinavian and Scottish kings. It has a strong, regal feel.
Malcolm
A historic Scottish royal name, associated with civil rights leader Malcolm X.
Manuel
The Spanish and Portuguese form of Emmanuel, common in many cultures.
Marshall
A strong surname-name that brings to mind lawmen and authority.
Matias
A Scandinavian and Spanish form of Matthias, an alternative to Matthew. Pronounced (muh-TEE-us).
Matthias
The name of the apostle chosen to replace Judas. A formal and classic alternative to Matthew.
Maximus
A strong, powerful Roman name made famous by the film *Gladiator*.
Messiah
A modern name with significant religious meaning that has been rising in popularity.
Miller
A friendly and approachable occupational surname-turned-first-name.
Mitchell
A surname form of Michael that has long been used as a given name.
Morgan
A classic Welsh name, traditionally male but now widely unisex.
Moses
The great biblical prophet who led the Israelites from Egypt. Pronounced (MO-zez).
Milan
A stylish Slavic name that is also the name of a fashionable Italian city.
Major
A strong and commanding Latin title name that has risen in use.
Malik
A powerful Arabic name meaning ‘king’. It has a regal and confident feel.
Marco
The Italian and Spanish version of Mark, associated with explorer Marco Polo.
Mario
A lively Italian name, famously associated with the Nintendo character.
Marvin
A name that was popular in the mid-20th century, with a cool retro vibe.
Mekhi
A modern phonetic spelling related to Michael. Pronounced (muh-KYE).
Memphis
A cool and bluesy place name, associated with the city in Tennessee.
Moises
The Spanish and Portuguese form of Moses, widely used in Latin America.
Musa
The Arabic form of Moses. A major prophet in Islam, Judaism, and Christianity.
Mustafa
An epithet of the Prophet Muhammad. Common in Turkish and Arabic-speaking countries.
Marcel
A chic French name related to Marcellus, with a sophisticated, artistic feel.
Marcellus
An ancient Roman name with a grand and historic feel.
Maurice
A classic French name with a long history of use. Pronounced (mor-EES).
Maximilian
A grand, imperial name of Roman origin, often shortened to Max.
Murphy
A quintessential Irish surname that has gained popularity as a first name.
Mac
A short and punchy name, often a nickname for names starting with Mac- or Mc-.
Mack
A cool, vintage-style name that can be a short form of Mackenzie or stand alone.
Madden
An energetic Irish surname-name, popularized by football icon John Madden.
Makai
A modern Hawaiian name with a beautiful meaning and sound. Pronounced (muh-KYE).
Marlon
A cool and charismatic name, forever linked with legendary actor Marlon Brando.
Marquis
An aristocratic title name with a distinguished flair.
Melvin
A name of Gaelic origin which was popular in the mid-20th century.
Monroe
A Scottish surname associated with President James Monroe and a sophisticated, unisex feel.
Mordecai
A heroic figure in the biblical Book of Esther. Pronounced (MOR-duh-kye).
Marius
An ancient Roman clan name, famously used in Victor Hugo’s *Les Misérables*.
Maxim
The Russian form of Maximus, a sleek and international alternative to Max.
Mercer
A sophisticated and worldly French occupational surname.
Merlin
The legendary wizard of Arthurian legend. A magical and mystical choice.
Misha
A Russian diminutive of Mikhail (Michael), with a soft and friendly sound.
Mohan
A popular name in India, one of the names of the Hindu god Krishna.
Montgomery
An aristocratic and formal-sounding surname, often shortened to Monty.
Murray
A classic Scottish surname-name with a friendly, gentle sound.
Myron
An ancient Greek name borne by a famous sculptor, with a gentle sound.
Marcelo
The Spanish and Portuguese form of Marcellus, offering a romantic flair.
Manfred
An old German name with a strong, historic feel.
Marley
A relaxed, musical name famously associated with reggae icon Bob Marley.
Meir
A Hebrew name meaning “giving light.” Pronounced (MAY-eer).
Miroslav
A classic Slavic name, common in countries like the Czech Republic and Serbia.
Milton
A distinguished literary name, associated with the great English poet John Milton.
Mikhail
The Russian form of Michael, borne by former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.
Murdoch
A strong Scottish name, though its modern association is with media mogul Rupert Murdoch.
Monty
A friendly, retro short form of Montgomery or Montague.
Mortimer
An aristocratic and slightly gothic-sounding name, often shortened to Mort.
Munir
An Arabic name with a beautiful, luminous meaning. Pronounced (moo-NEER).
Murad
An Arabic and Turkish name borne by several Ottoman sultans.
Mahmoud
A common name in the Muslim world, a variant of Muhammad.
Mace
A short, sharp, and unusual name. Can also be a nickname for Mason.
Merrick
A handsome Welsh surname that works well as a distinctive first name.
Manny
A friendly and approachable nickname for Manuel or Emmanuel.
Mickey
A classic diminutive of Michael, heavily associated with Disney’s Mickey Mouse.
Meredith
Historically a male name in Wales, though now predominantly female in the US.
Madhav
A name for the Hindu gods Krishna and Vishnu, popular in India.
Manish
A popular name in India, referring to intelligence and wisdom.
Mehdi
A significant name in Islam, referring to a prophesied redeemer.
Maynard
An old-fashioned German name with a studious, quirky appeal.
Mohammed
Another very common transliteration of Muhammad, used worldwide.