This page brings together 62 English names that start with the letter M, running alphabetically from “Mabel” all the way to “Myrtle.” You’ll find a rich mix of classic, vintage, and modern picks for boys, girls, and unisex use. People turn to lists like this when naming a baby, choosing a character for a story, or simply exploring the meaning and history behind a favorite name.
English names are the personal first names commonly used across English-speaking countries, drawn from many roots including Hebrew, Latin, Greek, Celtic, and Old English. Many carry deep histories, like Mary, which was the most popular English girls’ name for centuries. Others, like Maverick and Mason, show how surnames and bold words have crossed over into stylish modern given names.
Below you’ll find the table with Name, Gender, Origin, Meaning, Famous Namesakes, and Description.
Name: This shows the exact spelling of each name, listed in alphabetical order so you can quickly scan and find the one you are looking for.
Gender: This tells you whether a name is typically used for males, females, or works comfortably as a unisex choice for any child.
Origin: This points to the language or culture a name comes from, helping you understand its background and how it connects to wider traditions.
Meaning: This gives the core sense behind each name, so you can choose one whose definition matches the feeling or message you want.
Famous Namesakes: This lists a well-known person or character who shares the name, giving you a real-world reference and a sense of its style.
Description: This offers a short, friendly summary of each name’s history and character, helping you decide if it fits the tone you have in mind.
English names
| Name | Gender | Origin | Meaning | Famous Namesakes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mabel | Female | Latin | Lovable | Mabel Normand (actress) |
| Mackenzie | Unisex | Scottish/Gaelic | Son of the fair one | Mackenzie Davis (actress) |
| Madeline | Female | French | Of Magdala; high tower | Madeline Kahn (actress) |
| Madison | Female | English | Son of Maud | Madison Beer (singer) |
| Maeve | Female | Irish | She who intoxicates | Maeve Binchy (author) |
| Maggie | Female | Greek | Pearl | Maggie Smith (actress) |
| Malcolm | Male | Scottish/Gaelic | Devotee of Saint Columba | Malcolm X (activist) |
| Marcus | Male | Latin | Dedicated to Mars | Marcus Aurelius (Roman emperor) |
| Margaret | Female | Greek | Pearl | Margaret Thatcher (PM) |
| Marie | Female | French/Latin | Beloved; bitter | Marie Curie (scientist) |
| Marilyn | Female | English | Combination of Mary and Lynn | Marilyn Monroe (actress) |
| Marion | Unisex | French | Of Mary | Marion Cotillard (actress) |
| Mark | Male | Latin | Dedicated to Mars | Mark Twain (author) |
| Marlene | Female | German/English | Combination of Mary and Magdalene | Marlene Dietrich (actress) |
| Marshall | Male | English/French | Horse servant; caretaker | Marshall Mathers (Eminem) |
| Martha | Female | Aramaic | Lady; mistress of the house | Martha Stewart (entrepreneur) |
| Martin | Male | Latin | Of Mars; warlike | Martin Luther King Jr. |
| Marvin | Male | Welsh/English | Sea friend | Marvin Gaye (singer) |
| Mary | Female | Hebrew | Beloved; bitter | Mary Shelley (author) |
| Mason | Male | English | Stoneworker | Mason Mount (footballer) |
| Matilda | Female | German | Mighty in battle | Matilda (Roald Dahl character) |
| Matthew | Male | Hebrew | Gift of God | Matthew McConaughey (actor) |
| Maud | Female | German | Mighty in battle | Maud Gonne (activist) |
| Maureen | Female | Irish | Star of the sea; beloved | Maureen O’Hara (actress) |
| Maverick | Male | English | Independent; nonconformist | Maverick (Top Gun character) |
| Max | Male | Latin | Greatest | Max Verstappen (driver) |
| Maxine | Female | Latin | Greatest | Maxine Waters (politician) |
| Maxwell | Male | Scottish | Great stream | Maxwell (singer) |
| May | Female | English | The month; pearl | May Sarton (poet) |
| Maya | Female | Multiple | Illusion; water; mother | Maya Angelou (poet) |
| Megan | Female | Welsh | Pearl | Megan Rapinoe (footballer) |
| Melanie | Female | Greek | Dark; black | Melanie Griffith (actress) |
| Melissa | Female | Greek | Bee; honey | Melissa McCarthy (actress) |
| Melody | Female | Greek | Song; tune | Melody Gardot (singer) |
| Mercy | Female | English | Compassion; clemency | Mercy Otis Warren (writer) |
| Meredith | Unisex | Welsh | Great lord; sea protector | Meredith Vieira (host) |
| Mia | Female | Italian/Scandinavian | Mine; beloved | Mia Farrow (actress) |
| Michael | Male | Hebrew | Who is like God? | Michael Jordan (athlete) |
| Michelle | Female | French | Who is like God? | Michelle Obama (First Lady) |
| Mildred | Female | English | Gentle strength | Mildred Pierce (film character) |
| Miles | Male | Latin/German | Soldier; merciful | Miles Davis (musician) |
| Millicent | Female | German | Strong in work | Millicent Fawcett (suffragist) |
| Millie | Female | German/Latin | Strong in work; gentle strength | Millie Bobby Brown (actress) |
| Milo | Male | German/Latin | Soldier; merciful | Milo Ventimiglia (actor) |
| Mira | Female | Latin/Slavic | Wonderful; peace | Mira Sorvino (actress) |
| Miranda | Female | Latin | Worthy of admiration | Miranda Hart (comedian) |
| Miriam | Female | Hebrew | Beloved; bitter | Miriam Makeba (singer) |
| Mitchell | Male | English/Hebrew | Who is like God? | Mitchell Johnson (cricketer) |
| Molly | Female | Hebrew | Beloved; bitter | Molly Ringwald (actress) |
| Mona | Female | Irish/Greek | Noble; solitary | Mona Lisa (painting subject) |
| Monica | Female | Latin/Greek | Advisor; solitary | Monica Seles (tennis player) |
| Monroe | Unisex | Scottish | Mouth of the Roe river | Monroe (after Marilyn) |
| Montgomery | Male | English/French | Manpower; mountain of the powerful man | Montgomery Clift (actor) |
| Morgan | Unisex | Welsh | Sea-born; sea circle | Morgan Freeman (actor) |
| Morris | Male | Latin | Dark-skinned; Moorish | Morris (the cat mascot) |
| Mortimer | Male | French | Still water; dead sea | Mortimer Mouse (Disney character) |
| Moses | Male | Hebrew | Drawn out of the water | Moses (biblical prophet) |
| Muriel | Female | Irish/Gaelic | Bright sea | Muriel Spark (author) |
| Murphy | Unisex | Irish | Sea warrior | Murphy Brown (TV character) |
| Murray | Male | Scottish | Settlement by the sea | Murray Walker (broadcaster) |
| Myra | Female | Latin/Greek | Myrrh; admired | Myra Hess (pianist) |
| Myrtle | Female | Greek | The myrtle tree | Myrtle Wilson (Gatsby character) |