This list brings together 58 Italian girl names that start with M, from “Mabilia” to “Mirna”. The names range from classic favorites like “Maria” and “Martina” to rare picks like “Mimosa” and “Mafalda”. Parents often use them when choosing a baby name, and writers use them for characters.
Italian girl names are first names given to girls in Italy, often drawn from Latin, Greek, Germanic, and biblical roots. Many honor saints or family members, which is why you see so many forms of “Maria”. The famous “Margherita” pizza, for example, was named after Queen Margherita of Savoy.
Below you’ll find the table with the name, pronunciation, meaning, and description of each entry.
Name: The Italian spelling of each name, listed alphabetically so you can scan quickly and find the one you want.
Pronunciation: A simple phonetic guide with the stressed syllable in capitals, so you can say each name with confidence.
Meaning: The origin and translation of each name, which helps you see the story or idea behind your favorite choices.
Description: A short note on each name’s history, style, and how common it is in Italy today.
Italian girl names
| Name | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Mabilia | mah-BEE-lyah | Lovable |
| Maddalena | mahd-dah-LEH-nah | From Magdala |
| Mafalda | mah-FAHL-dah | Mighty in battle |
| Magda | MAHG-dah | From Magdala |
| Maia | MAH-yah | Great, mother |
| Mara | MAH-rah | Bitter |
| Marcella | mar-CHEL-lah | Little warrior |
| Marcellina | mar-chel-LEE-nah | Little Marcella |
| Margherita | mar-geh-REE-tah | Pearl |
| Maria | mah-REE-ah | Beloved or bitter |
| Mariangela | mah-ree-AHN-jeh-lah | Mary and angel |
| Maria Grazia | mah-REE-ah GRAH-tsyah | Mary of grace |
| Maria Luisa | mah-REE-ah loo-EE-zah | Mary and famed warrior |
| Mariana | mah-RYAH-nah | Mary and Anna |
| Marianna | mah-RYAHN-nah | Mary and Anna |
| Marilena | mah-ree-LEH-nah | Mary and Helen |
| Marina | mah-REE-nah | Of the sea |
| Marinella | mah-ree-NEL-lah | Little sea |
| Marisa | mah-REE-zah | Mary and Louise |
| Marta | MAR-tah | Lady or mistress |
| Martina | mar-TEE-nah | Of Mars |
| Maru | MAH-roo | Round or circle |
| Marzia | MAR-tsyah | Of Mars |
| Massima | MAHS-see-mah | Greatest |
| Matilde | mah-TEEL-deh | Mighty in battle |
| Mattea | maht-TEH-ah | Gift of God |
| Maura | MOW-rah | Dark-skinned or Moorish |
| Maurizia | mow-REE-tsyah | Moorish |
| Melania | meh-LAH-nyah | Dark or black |
| Melissa | meh-LEES-sah | Honey bee |
| Melina | meh-LEE-nah | Honey or yellow |
| Mena | MEH-nah | Short for Filomena or Carmela |
| Mercede | mer-CHEH-deh | Mercy |
| Michela | mee-KEH-lah | Who is like God |
| Michelina | mee-keh-LEE-nah | Little Michela |
| Milena | mee-LEH-nah | Gracious or dear |
| Mimì | mee-MEE | Short form of Maria |
| Mina | MEE-nah | Short for names like Wilhelmina |
| Minerva | mee-NEHR-vah | Wisdom |
| Mirella | mee-REL-lah | To admire |
| Miriam | MEE-ryahm | Beloved or wished-for child |
| Mirta | MEER-tah | Myrtle |
| Moira | MOY-rah | Fate |
| Monica | MOH-nee-kah | Advisor or alone |
| Morena | moh-REH-nah | Dark-haired |
| Morgana | mor-GAH-nah | Sea-born |
| Mia | MEE-ah | Mine |
| Miranda | mee-RAHN-dah | Admirable |
| Mietta | MYET-tah | Little Maria |
| Mirabella | mee-rah-BEL-lah | Wonderfully beautiful |
| Monia | MOH-nyah | Alone or advisor |
| Mariella | mah-RYEL-lah | Little Maria |
| Mariolina | mah-ryoh-LEE-nah | Little Maria |
| Maristella | mah-rees-TEL-lah | Star of the sea |
| Mattia | maht-TEE-ah | Gift of God |
| Mercedes | mer-CHEH-dehs | Mercies |
| Mimosa | mee-MOH-zah | Mimosa flower |
| Mirna | MEER-nah | Gentle |
Descriptions
Mabilia
A rare medieval Italian name from the Latin “amabilis”. It has an old-fashioned charm and is seldom heard today.
Maddalena
The Italian form of Magdalene, tied to Mary Magdalene. It is a classic, elegant name found across Italy.
Mafalda
A name of Germanic origin, borne by medieval Italian and Portuguese princesses. It has a warm, nostalgic feel in Italy.
Magda
A short form of Maddalena. It is simple and well known in Italy and across Europe.
Maia
Linked to the Roman goddess of spring and growth. It is a soft, modern-sounding choice.
Mara
A short name with biblical roots, used in Italy for centuries. It is brief and easy to pronounce.
Marcella
The feminine form of Marcello, from the Roman name Marcus. It is a classic Italian favorite with a graceful sound.
Marcellina
A diminutive of Marcella. It is a sweet and rare name, also used in opera.
Margherita
The Italian form of Margaret and the name of the famous pizza, named for Queen Margherita of Savoy. It is also the Italian word for daisy.
Maria
The most traditional Italian girl name, tied to the Virgin Mary. It often appears as part of compound names.
Mariangela
A compound of Maria and Angela. It is a traditional Italian combination.
Maria Grazia
A compound name that combines Maria with “grazia”, meaning grace. It is common in Catholic Italian families.
Maria Luisa
A double name popular for generations in Italy. It blends two classic names into one.
Mariana
A blend of Maria and Anna. It is melodic and used across Italy and beyond.
Marianna
The Italian spelling of the Maria-Anna blend. It is a graceful, traditional name.
Marilena
A compound of Maria and Elena. It became popular in Italy in the twentieth century.
Marina
From the Latin “marinus”. It is a popular name along Italy’s coasts.
Marinella
A diminutive of Marina. It is a gentle, affectionate name.
Marisa
A combination of Maria and Luisa. It is a mid-century favorite in Italy.
Marta
The Italian form of Martha, a biblical name. It remains common and easy to recognize.
Martina
The feminine form of Martino, linked to the Roman god of war. It is one of Italy’s most popular girl names.
Maru
A rare short form sometimes used as a pet name for Maria. It is informal and affectionate.
Marzia
A feminine form from the Latin Martius, tied to the month of March. It is less common than Martina.
Massima
The feminine form of Massimo, from the Latin “maximus”. It is a rare, strong-sounding name.
Matilde
A Germanic name made famous by Matilda of Tuscany, a medieval ruler. It has seen a strong revival in Italy.
Mattea
The feminine form of Matteo. It is a rising name in modern Italy.
Maura
From the Latin “Maurus”. It is a long-standing Italian name linked to early saints.
Maurizia
The feminine form of Maurizio. It is uncommon but traditional.
Melania
From a Greek word, borne by early Roman saints. It is a refined, classic name.
Melissa
A Greek-derived name widely used in Italy. It has a bright, modern sound.
Melina
A name of Greek roots that is used in Italy. It is soft and musical.
Mena
A common short form, especially in southern Italy. It is warm and informal.
Mercede
From the Spanish Mercedes, adapted to Italian. It is a rare, graceful name.
Michela
The feminine form of Michele. It is a well-loved name across Italy.
Michelina
A diminutive of Michela, traditional in southern Italy. It is gentle and affectionate.
Milena
A name of Slavic origin that is also used in Italy. It has a smooth, pleasant sound.
Mimì
A pet name made famous by the heroine of Puccini’s La Bohème. It is playful and affectionate.
Mina
A short, simple name. It was made famous by the singer Mina Mazzini.
Minerva
The Roman goddess of wisdom and strategy. It is a rare, dignified name.
Mirella
Made popular by Frédéric Mistral’s poem “Mirèio”. It is a romantic, melodic name.
Miriam
A biblical name that is used in Italy. It is classic and timeless.
Mirta
From the myrtle plant, a symbol of love in ancient Rome. It is a rare, floral name.
Moira
From the Greek goddesses of destiny. It is uncommon but striking.
Monica
A name linked to Saint Monica, mother of Saint Augustine. It is a familiar name across Italy.
Morena
From the Italian word for a brunette woman. It is warm and distinctly Italian.
Morgana
Linked to Fata Morgana, a mirage seen over the Strait of Messina. It has a mystical sound.
Mia
The Italian word for “mine”. It is a short, affectionate and internationally popular name.
Miranda
A name of Latin origin, used in Italy for a few centuries. It sounds elegant and gentle.
Mietta
A diminutive often used as a nickname. It is a rare and charming name.
Mirabella
From Latin roots meaning “wonderful” and “beautiful”. It is a poetic, uncommon name.
Monia
A variant of Monica used in Italy. It is simple and less common.
Mariella
A diminutive of Maria. It is affectionate and widely used.
Mariolina
A tender diminutive of Maria, popular in southern Italy. It sounds sweet and old-fashioned.
Maristella
A name linked to the Virgin Mary as “Stella Maris”. It is a lyrical, devotional name.
Mattia
Used for both girls and boys in Italy, from Matthias. It is short and modern.
Mercedes
A name tied to Our Lady of Mercy, used in Italy. It is graceful and well-known worldwide.
Mimosa
Named for the yellow flower given on Women’s Day in Italy. It is a rare, symbolic name.
Mirna
A name of Slavic origin that is used in northeast Italy. It is soft and uncommon.