This list includes 50 Spanish girl names that start with M, from “Maca” to “Mónica”. It features traditional, regional, and modern names used across Spanish-speaking countries.
Spanish girl names that start with M are female given names used across Spanish-speaking cultures beginning with the letter M. Many come from Latin, Hebrew, or regional languages like Basque and Catalan.
Below you’ll find the table with Name, Pronunciation, Meaning & Origin, and Notes.
Name: The given name as commonly used in Spanish, so you can quickly scan choices and spellings.
Pronunciation: A simple respelling shows how to say each name, so you can pronounce it confidently.
Meaning & Origin: A short explanation gives the name’s meaning and linguistic origin, helping you understand cultural roots.
Notes: Usage notes include regional popularity, common diminutives, or famous bearers to help you decide suitability.
Spanish girl names that start with M
| Name | Pronunciation | Meaning/Origin | Popularity/Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| María | mah-REE-ah (maˈɾi.a) | From Hebrew Miriam; meanings debated (bitter, beloved) | Extremely common across Spanish-speaking countries |
| Marta | MAR-tah (ˈmaɾ.ta) | Aramaic origin; “lady” or “mistress” | Very common in Spain and Latin America |
| Martina | mar-TEE-nah (marˈtina) | Feminine of Martin; Latin, “of Mars” | Common in Spain and growing in Latin America |
| Mariana | mah-ree-AH-nah (maɾjaˈna) | Blend of María and Ana; Latin Marianus roots | Widespread across Spanish-speaking countries |
| Marisol | mah-ree-SOL (maɾiˈsol) | Blend of María + sol or Soledad; “Mary of the sun” | Popular in Spain and Latin America |
| Marisa | mah-REE-sah (maˈɾisa) | Contraction of María + Isabel; Latin/Hebrew roots | Common in Spain and Latin America |
| Maribel | mah-ree-BEL (maɾiˈβel) | Blend of María + Isabel | Used widely in Spain and Latin America |
| Mariela | mah-ree-EL-ah (maɾjeˈla) | Blend of María + -ela diminutive form | Common in Latin America and Spain |
| Maritza | mah-REE-tsah (maˈɾitsa) | Possibly Slavic diminutive of Maria; widely used in Latin America | Common in Mexico and Central America |
| Mariluz | mah-ree-LOOS (maɾiˈluz) | Blend of María + luz (“light”) | Used in Spain and Latin America |
| Marga | MAR-gah (ˈmaɾ.ɣa) | Short form of Margarita; Greek “pearl” | Common short form in Spain and Latin America |
| Magda | MAG-dah (ˈmaɣ.ða) | Short form of Magdalena; from Magdala | Used in Spain and Latin America |
| Merche | MER-cheh (ˈmeɾ.tʃe) | Short form of Mercedes; from Latin merces “mercies” | Common in Spain (informal) |
| Mónica | MO-nee-kah (ˈmo.ni.ka) | From Greek monachos “alone” via Latin | Widespread across Spanish-speaking countries |
| Montse | MON-tseh (ˈmont.se) | Short form of Montserrat; Catalan place-name/Our Lady | Very common in Catalonia; known in Spain |
| Manu | MAH-noo (ˈma.nu) | Short form of Manuela; from Emmanuel “God with us” | Common diminutive used across Spanish-speaking countries |
| Maite | MY-teh (ˈmai.te) | Basque origin; “beloved” | Very common in Spain, especially Basque region |
| Mayte | MAY-teh (ˈmai.te) | Variant of Maite; Basque “beloved” | Used widely in Spain and Latin America |
| Mati | MAH-tee (ˈma.ti) | Short form of Matilde | Used informally across Spanish speakers |
| Mica | MEE-kah (ˈmi.ka) | Short form of Micaela | Used in Spain and Latin America |
| Milagros | mee-LAH-gros (miˈla.ɣɾos) | Spanish: “miracles”, religious name | Traditional and common in Latin America and Spain |
| Mireya | mee-REH-yah (miˈɾe.ʝa) | Possibly from Latin mireia; Catalan/Spanish usage | Common in Spain and Latin America |
| Mireia | mi-RAY-ah (miˈɾejə) | Catalan form possibly from Occitan Mirèia | Common in Catalonia and parts of Spain |
| Miriam | mee-REE-am (miˈɾjam) | From Hebrew Miriam; biblical Mary variant | Widely used across Spanish-speaking countries |
| Melissa | meh-LEE-sah (meˈlisa) | Greek origin “honey bee”; adopted widely | Popular in Latin America and Spain |
| Milena | mee-LEH-nah (miˈlena) | Slavic origin; “gracious, pleasant”; used in Spanish | Increasingly common in Latin America and Spain |
| Maia | MAH-yah or MY-ah (ˈma.ja) | From Greek Maia, mother goddess; also variant of Maya | Used in Spain and Latin America |
| Maura | MAW-rah (ˈmau.ɾa) | Latin origin; “from Mauri” or Moorish | Used in Spain and some Latin American countries |
| Marina | mah-REE-nah (maˈɾina) | Latin “of the sea” | Common in Spain and Latin America |
| Marlene | mar-LEH-neh (marˈlene) | Germanic/Latin blend; popularized internationally | Used in Spanish-speaking countries, especially mid-20th century |
| Maricela | mah-ree-SEH-lah (maɾiˈθela/maɾiˈsela) | Blend of María + Celia or sola coinage | Popular in Mexico and Central America |
| Maruja | mah-ROO-hah (maˈɾuxa) | Diminutive of María; familiar, old-fashioned | Used historically across Spain and Latin America |
| Mariola | mah-ree-OH-lah (maɾjoˈla) | Diminutive/variant of María or Mari | Used in Spain especially during mid-20th century |
| Macarena | mah-kah-REH-nah (makaˈɾena) | From Virgin of La Macarena, Seville devotion | Strongly associated with Spain, especially Andalusia |
| Maca | MAH-kah (ˈma.ka) | Diminutive of Macarena | Used informally in Spain and Latin America |
| Modesta | moh-DEHS-tah (moˈðesta) | Latin “modest” | Traditional, rare but present in Spanish-speaking countries |
| Maitena | my-TEH-nah (maiˈtena) | Basque form related to Maite, “beloved” | Used in Spain, especially Basque Country |
| Miren | MEE-ren (ˈmi.ɾen) | Basque form of María | Common in Basque Country, Spain |
| Minerva | mi-NAIR-vah (miˈneɾβa) | Latin; Roman goddess of wisdom | Used occasionally in Spanish-speaking countries |
| Melisa | meh-LEE-sah (meˈlisa) | Spanish variant of Melissa; Greek “honey bee” | Common in Latin America and Spain |
| Melania | meh-LAH-nyah (meˈlanja) | Greek “black, dark” (Melania) | Used in Spain and Latin America |
| Mirta | MEER-tah (ˈmirta) | Likely from Myrtle or Greek Myrtos; used in Spanish | Used in Argentina and Uruguay |
| Myriam | mee-RYAM (miˈɾjam) | Variant spelling of Miriam; Hebrew origin | Common variant across Spanish-speaking countries |
| Marisela | mah-ree-SEH-lah (maɾiˈsela) | Blend of María + Celia/Isela; Latin American usage | Common in Mexico and Central America |
| Maialen | mai-ah-LEN (mai̯aˈlen) | Basque form of Magdalena | Used in Basque Country, Spain |
| Mar | MAR (maɾ) | Catalan form of María; “sea” in Catalan | Common in Catalonia and coastal Spain |
| Maru | MAH-roo (ˈma.ɾu) | Diminutive of María or Mariana | Used informally across Spanish-speaking countries |
| Mari | MAH-ree (ˈma.ɾi) | Short form of María used independently | Widely used as a diminutive and standalone |
| Marilena | mah-ree-LEH-nah (maɾiˈlena) | Blend of Maria + Lena; modern compound form | Used in Latin America and Spain |
| Marisela | mah-ree-SEH-lah (maɾiˈsela) | Blend of María + Isela/Celia; Latin American usage | Popular in Mexico and Central America |
Descriptions
María
The archetypal Spanish Mary, used alone or in compounds; nicknames include Mari, Marita, and María often appears in religious contexts.
Marta
A classic, straightforward name across generations; often used as-is or with diminutives like Marti.
Martina
A strong yet feminine name with sporty, modern feel; short forms include Martina, Tina.
Mariana
Romantic and melodic, popular as a full name; short forms include Mari and Ana.
Marisol
Bright, evocative name often associated with sea and sun imagery; used as both single and compound name.
Marisa
Elegant, slightly vintage name; variants include Marissa and Maris.
Maribel
Cheerful compound name often spelled Maribel; diminutives: Mari, Bel.
Mariela
Soft, modern-sounding name; variants include Mariela, Mariela pronounced similarly.
Maritza
Popular Latin American name with playful sound; nicknames: Maritz, Ritza.
Mariluz
Poetic, devotional name meaning “Mary of the light”; often affectionate and lyrical.
Marga
Friendly, concise diminutive of Margarita; also used as standalone name.
Magda
Contemporary short form of Magdalena; Magda feels modern while rooted in biblical tradition.
Merche
Popular Spanish diminutive for Mercedes; Merche is familiar and affectionate.
Mónica
Classic international name; nicknames include Moni or Mónica used in full.
Montse
Catalan favorite derived from the Virgin of Montserrat; Montse is the everyday form.
Manu
Warm, informal short form used as a given name; feminine form of Manuel’s diminutive.
Maite
Short, sweet Basque name widely adopted across Spain and Latin America.
Mayte
Alternative spelling/pronunciation of Maite; popular in Spain and Latin-influenced regions.
Mati
Cute diminutive used casually for Matilde or Martina; sometimes given as standalone.
Mica
Modern, short form of Micaela; feels fresh and international.
Milagros
Devotional name often given in gratitude; common diminutives: Mila, Milagros used in full.
Mireya
Warm, melodic name; variants include Mireia and Mirella.
Mireia
Distinctly Catalan name, pronounced with a softer vowel; Mireia is culturally regional.
Miriam
Biblical and international, Miriam is a familiar Spanish given name.
Melissa
Sweet, modern classic with international appeal; often spelled Melissa or Melisa.
Milena
International-sounding name embraced in Spanish-speaking countries; nicknames: Mila, Leni.
Maia
Short, nature-linked name with mythic roots; simple and elegant.
Maura
Classical-sounding name with a vintage feel; occasionally used as María variant.
Marina
Timeless maritime name, feminine and elegant; short forms include Mari and Rina.
Marlene
Stylish vintage name with international flair; sometimes spelled Marlene or Marlen.
Maricela
A distinctly Latin American compound-style name, warm and melodic.
Maruja
Charming, vintage diminutive of María; less common today but culturally familiar.
Mariola
Regional, slightly retro name with friendly tone; Mariola shortens to Mari.
Macarena
Very Spanish name tied to Seville; lively cultural associations and dance song.
Maca
Short, casual nickname often used independently as a given name.
Modesta
Old-fashioned devotional virtue name, occasionally used in religious families.
Maitena
Distinct Basque name with affectionate meaning; Maite is the shorter form.
Miren
Local Basque variant of Mary; Miren is a standard female name in that region.
Minerva
Classical mythological name with intellectual connotations; uncommon but recognized.
Melisa
Simpler spelling of Melissa popular in Spanish usage; friendly and modern.
Melania
Elegant classical name with international recognition; diminutive: Mela.
Mirta
Short, vintage name popular in Río de la Plata region.
Myriam
Alternative spelling of Miriam, seen in official records and popular use.
Marisela
Warm, lyrical name typical of Latin America; nicknames include Mari and Sela.
Maialen
Regional Basque variant with modern flair; Maialen is distinctly local.
Mar
Short, poetic Catalan name meaning “sea”; increasingly popular as a minimalist choice.
Maru
Cute, affectionate short form often used as a given name; Maru feels youthful.
Mari
Simple, friendly diminutive of María adopted as a full name by many.
Marilena
Soft, melodic hybrid name; short forms include Mari and Lena.
Marisela
Lyrical Spanish-American name with nicknames Mari and Sela.