This list includes 61 Roman names that start with M, from “Macer” to “Musonius”. Many are family names or cognomina reflecting traits, occupations, or ancestral origins. Use this list when you name characters, research family history, or explore Roman culture.
Roman names that start with M are given and family names used across the Roman world. Many such names, like “Marcus” or the philosopher Musonius, carry social or familial meaning.
Below you’ll find the table with Name, Type, Gender, Pronunciation, Meaning, and Notes.
Name: The Roman name as recorded; you use it to identify individuals and sort or select names for characters or research.
Type: Indicates whether the entry is a praenomen, nomen, or cognomen so you see its social and naming role.
Gender: Shows the typical gender association, helping you pick appropriate names for male, female, or neutral characters.
Pronunciation: Provides a simple phonetic guide so you can say names confidently in speech or dialogue.
Meaning: Gives a concise meaning or origin note so you understand cultural significance and pick names with fitting connotations.
Notes: Offers brief historical context, variant spellings, or famous bearers to add depth to your choice or research.
Roman names that start with M
| Name | Type | Gender | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marcus | praenomen | Male | Of Mars; warlike |
| Manius | praenomen | Male | Possibly “of the Manes” (spirits) |
| Mamercus | praenomen | Male | From Mamers (Oscan Mars) |
| Mettius | praenomen | Male | Probably Oscan origin; uncertain |
| Marius | nomen | Male | From Mars; martial family name |
| Marcius | nomen | Male | Of the Marcii; linked to Mars |
| Manlius | nomen | Male | Of the Manlia family |
| Mamilius | nomen | Male | Gentilic name of Tusculan line |
| Maecenas | nomen | Male | Unknown, likely Etruscan origin |
| Maecilius | nomen | Male | Gentilic name (Etruscan/Latin) |
| Maelius | nomen | Male | Old Latin gentilicium; uncertain |
| Maenius | nomen | Male | Gentilic name of unknown meaning |
| Memmius | nomen | Male | Gentilic name; origin unclear |
| Metilius | nomen | Male | Gentilic name; uncertain origin |
| Messius | nomen | Male | Gentilic name; uncertain |
| Minucius | nomen | Male | Gentilic name of the Minucii |
| Mucius | nomen | Male | Gentilic name of the Mucii |
| Munatius | nomen | Male | Gentilic name; uncertain |
| Mummius | nomen | Male | Gentilic name of unclear origin |
| Modius | nomen | Male | Gentilic name; likely local origin |
| Metella | cognomen | Female | Feminine form of Metellus |
| Metellus | cognomen | Male | Unknown family name |
| Maximus | cognomen | Male | The greatest |
| Maxentius | cognomen | Male | Likely “very great” variant |
| Maximinus | cognomen | Male | Diminutive of Maximus |
| Macrinus | cognomen | Male | Possibly “thin” or family name |
| Macer | cognomen | Male | Thin, lean |
| Mela | cognomen | Male | From Greek ‘melas’, “dark” |
| Marcellus | cognomen | Male | Little Marcus (diminutive) |
| Marcellinus | cognomen | Male | Little Marcellus; diminutive |
| Marcianus | cognomen | Male | Of Marcus; derivative |
| Martialis | cognomen | Male | Of Mars; martial |
| Martius | nomen | Male | Of Mars; family name |
| Maternus | cognomen | Male | Of the mother; family name |
| Messalla | cognomen | Male | Variant of Messus; family name |
| Milo | cognomen | Male | Possibly “miller” or personal name |
| Murena | cognomen | Male | Lamprey (nickname) |
| Mucianus | cognomen | Male | From Mucius family |
| Mus | cognomen | Male | Mouse (nickname) |
| Merula | cognomen | Male | Blackbird, nickname |
| Montanus | cognomen | Male | From the mountain |
| Moderatus | cognomen | Male | Measured, moderate |
| Modestus | cognomen | Male | Humble, modest |
| Mercator | cognomen | Male | Merchant |
| Melior | cognomen | Male | Better, superior |
| Macrinus (see above) | cognomen | Male | Possibly “thin” or family name |
| Marinus | cognomen | Male | Of the sea |
| Musonius | cognomen | Male | Possibly Greek-origin surname |
| Messius | cognomen | Male | Gentilic/cognomen form |
| Meridius | cognomen | Male | Of midday; uncertain |
| Minimus | cognomen | Male | Smallest, least |
| Modianus | cognomen | Male | From Modius family |
| Mamilianus | cognomen | Male | From Mamilius gens |
| Maenius (see above) | nomen | Male | Gentilic name of unknown meaning |
| Maesa | nomen | Female | Gentilic feminine form |
| Maerulus | cognomen | Male | Diminutive of ‘sea’ or personal |
| Marullus | cognomen | Male | Diminutive of Marius/Marcus |
| Marsus | cognomen | Male | Of the Marsi people (Italic) |
| Maximianus | cognomen | Male | Derived from Maximus; “great” |
| Mazimus | cognomen | Male | Unclear origin; attested |
| Medullinus | cognomen | Male | From Medulla family branch |