This list includes 57 Latin boy names that start with M, from “Macarius” to “Musaeus”. Many are linked to Roman families, saints, or Latin words still used today.
Latin boy names that start with M are male given names of Latin origin beginning with the letter M. Several are borne by early saints and Roman figures, giving them classic and historical resonance.
Below you’ll find the table with Name, Pronunciation, Meaning, and Notes.
Name: The Latin name itself, shown so you can scan choices and spot familiar or unique options at a glance.
Pronunciation: A simple respelling or brief IPA guide so you can say the name confidently and compare pronunciations.
Meaning: A concise 3–10 word etymology or definition that explains the name’s original Latin sense or root.
Notes: Brief cultural, historical, or saintly context to help you judge modern usage and suitability.
Latin boy names that start with M
| Name | Variants | Pronunciation | Meaning | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marcus | Markus | MAHR-kus /ˈmar.kus/ | “of Mars; warlike” | The classic Roman praenomen borne by countless Romans (e.g., Marcus Aurelius). Widely attested in classical, medieval and ecclesiastical Latin; a perennial choice and root of many modern names. |
| Marius | Mar(i)us | MAH-ree-us /ˈma.ri.us/ | “male; possibly sea-related” | Roman family name turned given name (e.g., Gaius Marius). Common in classical Rome and later Latin texts; still used across Europe. |
| Marcellus | Marcell(us) | mar-SELL-us /marˈkɛl.us/ | “young warrior; ‘little Marcus'” | Diminutive of Marcus, borne by Roman patricians and soldiers. Famous in Roman literature and Christian martyrology; revived in medieval and modern eras. |
| Marcellinus | Marcellin(us) | mar-suh-LEE-nus /mar.tʃeˈli.nus/ | “little Marcellus; young warrior” | A late antique and medieval Latin name (several saints and bishops). Common in ecclesiastical records and inscriptions. |
| Marianus | Marian(us) | mah-ree-AH-nus /ma.riˈa.nus/ | “belonging to Marius/Maris” | Used in imperial Rome and Late Antiquity; appears in inscriptions and as a Christian name (Marianus, bishops and martyrs). |
| Marinus | Marin(us) | MAH-ri-nus /maˈri.nus/ | “of the sea” | Classical and ecclesiastical name (Saint Marinus founded San Marino). Attested in Latin inscriptions and medieval records. |
| Martin(us) | Martin(us) | MAR-tin/us /ˈmar.ti.nus/ | “of Mars; warlike” | Latin form Martinus popularised by St. Martin of Tours (4th c.). Extremely influential in medieval Europe and common in church records. |
| Matthaeus | Matthaeus | MAHT-thay-us /matˈtʰa.e.us/ | “gift of God” (Hebrew origin) | Ecclesiastical Latin form of Matthew used in Vulgate and medieval liturgy; common in church registers and scholarly works. |
| Matthias | Matthias/Mathias | muh-THEE-us /maˈti.aːs/ | “gift of God” (Hebrew origin) | Latin form of the apostle Matthias, attested in New Testament Latin and medieval texts; used in ecclesiastical naming. |
| Maximus | Maximus | MAHK-si-mus /ˈmak.si.mus/ | “greatest” | A Roman cognomen and personal name borne by emperors and saints. Strong classical and medieval pedigree; still used for its grand meaning. |
| Maxentius | Maxentius | maks-EN-shus /maksɛnˈti.us/ | “mighty, great” | Imperial and late-Roman name (Emperor Maxentius). Found in Late Antiquity inscriptions and hagiography. |
| Maximianus | Maximianus | maks-im-ee-AH-nus /mak.si.miˈa.nus/ | “pertaining to Maximus” | Late-Roman/imperial name (e.g., co-emperor Maximian). Attested in official Latin records and inscriptions. |
| Maximilianus | Maximilian(us) | maks-im-ih-LAY-nus /mak.si.miˈlaː.nus/ | “little/related to Maximus” | Late-antique and medieval Latin formation, popular in ecclesiastical and noble contexts; later gave rise to modern Maximilian. |
| Maximinus | Maximinus | maks-ih-MEE-nus /mak.siˈmi.nus/ | “small Maximus; little great one” | Name of emperors and bishops in Late Antiquity; common in imperial Latin texts and chronicles. |
| Magnus | Magnus | MAHG-nus /ˈmaɡ.nus/ | “great” | Classical adjective used as a name in Late Antiquity and medieval hagiography (e.g., Magnus of Anagni). Offe rs simple, powerful meaning. |
| Manius | Manius | MAH-nee-us /ˈma.ni.us/ | “archaic Roman praenomen” | An ancient Roman praenomen found in republican inscriptions and literature; rare today but well attested in Latin sources. |
| Mamercus | Mamercus | muh-MER-kus /maˈmer.kus/ | “from the Mamers (Oscan Mars)” | Sabine-derived Roman praenomen/gentilicium attested in early Republican Rome and classical texts. |
| Macrinus | Macrinus | mah-KREE-nus /maˈkri.nus/ | “thin; slender” | Cognomen and personal name in imperial Rome (e.g., Emperor Macrinus). Appears in inscriptions and histories. |
| Macarius | Macarius | mah-KAHR-ee-us /maˈka.ri.us/ | “blessed” (Greek origin, Latin attested) | Widely used in ecclesiastical Latin for several saints and monks; Greek origin but fully Latin-attested in medieval sources. |
| Marcius | Marcius | MAR-see-us /ˈmar.ki.us/ | “belonging to Marcus” | Roman gens name (Marcia). Appears in republican and imperial inscriptions and historical texts as a family name used personally. |
| Marcianus | Marcianus | mar-SEE-ah-nus /marˈki.a.nus/ | “pertaining to Marcus” | Late-Roman and medieval personal name; borne by emperors and bishops in Latin sources. |
| Maro | Maro | MAH-roh /ˈma.ro/ | Origin uncertain; possibly old Roman family name | Best known as the cognomen of the poet Publius Vergilius Maro (Virgil). Attested in classical literature. |
| Martialis | Martialis | mar-TI-al-is /marˈti.a.lis/ | “of Mars; warlike” | Name of the poet Martial (Marcus Valerius Martialis). Attested in classical literature and later Latin references. |
| Maternus | Maternus | muh-TER-nus /maˈter.nus/ | “related to mother” | Late-antique and medieval bishop’s name (several saints named Maternus). Found in ecclesiastical writings and hagiographies. |
| Maurus | Maurus | MAW-rus /ˈmau.rus/ | “Moor; dark-skinned” | Classical and medieval Latin name (St. Maurus). Used widely in monastic and ecclesiastical contexts. |
| Mauricius | Mauricius | mow-REE-shee-us /mauˈri.kjus/ | “belonging to Maurus” / Latinized of Maurice | Late antique/medieval Latin form of Maurice, used by saints and medieval rulers. |
| Mauritius | Mauritius | mow-REE-shus /mauˈri.ti.us/ | Variant of Mauricius; “from the Moors” | Ecclesiastical Latin attestation (e.g., St. Mauritius]). Used in medieval chronicles and liturgy. |
| Maurinus | Maurinus | mow-REE-nus /mauˈri.nus/ | “little Maurus” | Medieval Latin name found in hagiography and monastic records; less common but well attested. |
| Melito | Melitus/Melito | MEL-ee-toh /ˈme.li.to/ | Possibly “honeyed” (Greek origin; Latin attested) | Name of 2nd-century bishop Melito of Sardis; Greek root but used in Latin patristic literature. |
| Mercurius | Mercurius | mer-KOO-ree-us /merˈku.ri.us/ | “messenger” (Roman god Mercury) | Latin name derived from the god Mercury; appears in inscriptions and occasional personal names in Late Antiquity. |
| Metellus | Metellus | meh-TELL-us /meˈtɛl.lus/ | Unknown (old Roman family name) | Prominent cognomen of the Caecilii Metelli, widely attested in Republican and Imperial Latin texts and inscriptions. |
| Modestus | Modestus | moh-DES-tus /moˈde.stus/ | “modest, humble” | Common late-Roman and medieval personal name and saintly epithet; appears frequently in ecclesiastical records. |
| Moderatus | Moderatus | moh-DEH-rah-tus /moˈde.ra.tus/ | “moderate, measured” | Classical Latin cognomen used as a personal name in antiquity and medieval writings; appears in philosophical and historical texts. |
| Mucius | Mucius | MOO-see-us /ˈmu.ki.us/ | Old Roman family name; origin uncertain | Famous from the legend of Gaius Mucius Scaevola; attested in early Republican histories and classical literature. |
| Memmius | Memmius | MEM-ee-us /ˈmem.mi.us/ | Old Roman nomen; uncertain meaning | Attested Roman family name (gens Memmia) appearing in inscriptions and classical sources. |
| Milo | Milo | MEE-loh /ˈmi.lo/ | Possibly “soldier” or Germanic origin; Latin attested | Short name attested in Latin medieval records and some classical contexts; later popular in medieval Europe. |
| Miltiades | Miltiades | mil-TEE-ah-dez /milˈti.a.des/ | Greek origin “red earth”; Latin attested | Famous Athenian general’s name appears in Latin historiography and ecclesiastical lists; Greek root but firmly present in Latin texts. |
| Minucius | Minucius | min-OO-shus /miˈnu.ki.us/ | Old Roman gens name; uncertain meaning | Republican and Imperial Roman family name attested in inscriptions and Livy; used as a personal identifier in Latin sources. |
| Misenus | Misenus | mee-SEH-nus /miˈse.nus/ | Possibly from place-name Misenum | Mythical trumpeter in Vergil’s Aeneid and thus well attested in classical Latin literature. |
| Modestinus | Modestinus | moh-dess-TEE-nus /mo.deˈsti.nus/ | “related to Modestus” | Diminutive/derivative of Modestus; attested in Late Antique inscriptions and ecclesiastical records. |
| Montanus | Montanus | mon-TAH-nus /monˈta.nus/ | “of the mountain” | Roman cognomen used as personal name and by early Christian martyrs; appears in classical and patristic Latin. |
| Maternianus | Maternianus | muh-ter-nee-AH-nus /ma.teʁ.niˈa.nus/ | “pertaining to Maternus” | Late-antique/medieval derivative of Maternus; found in episcopal lists and hagiography. |
| Macer | Macer | MAH-ker /ˈma.kɛr/ | “lean, thin” | Classical cognomen known from authors like Aulus Macer; attested in Roman literature and inscriptions. |
| Maximinus | Maximinus | maks-ih-MEE-nus /mak.siˈmi.nus/ | “lesser Maximus” | Name of emperors and officials in Late Antiquity; common in imperial chronicles and legal texts. |
| Martianus | Martianus | mar-TYAH-nus /marˈti.a.nus/ | “pertaining to Mars” | Late-antique scholar Martianus Capella made the name famous; attested in classical and medieval Latin scholarship. |
| Musaeus | Musaeus | moo-SAY-us /muˈsae.us/ | “of the Muses” (Greek origin; Latin attested) | Legendary poet’s name appears in Latin literary tradition; Greek root but present in Latin sources. |
| Munatius | Munatius | moo-NAH-tee-us /muˈna.ti.us/ | Old Roman family name; uncertain meaning | Attested Roman nomen in inscriptions and classical texts; used as a personal identifier. |
| Macedo? (excluded) | ||||
| Maenius | Maenius | MYE-nee-us /ˈmae.ni.us/ | Old Roman nomen; uncertain meaning | Republican-era family name attested in Roman historical sources and inscriptions. |
| Marcellus | Marcellus | mar-SELL-us /marˈkel.lus/ | Diminutive of Marcus | Variant/diminutive attested in inscriptions and later Latin writings; similar to Marcellus but found in medieval forms. |
| Macerinus | Macerinus | mah-keh-REE-nus /ma.keˈri.nus/ | Diminutive of Macer | Rare but attested derivative in inscriptions and Late Antique records. |
| Macrianus | Macrianus | mak-REE-ah-nus /makˈri.a.nus/ | Possibly Etruscan/Latin family name | Attested in Late Antique inscriptions and histories (e.g., Macrianus, usurper), known from Latin sources. |
| Marpellus | Marpellus | mar-PEL-us /marˈpel.lus/ | Diminutive of Marcus/Marcellus | Scarcer Latin diminutive attested in inscriptions and late-antique texts. |
| Mercator | Mercator | mer-KAH-tor /merˈka.tor/ | “merchant” | Primarily a cognomen; attested in medieval Latin as personal name/epithet (e.g., registries), not common as modern given name. |
| Morinus | Morinus | moh-REE-nus /moˈri.nus/ | Possibly “moor-like” | Medieval Latin name attested in hagiography and regional records; rare but historically present. |
| Mercuri(anus) | Mercurianus/Mercurius | mer-KOO-ree-AH-nus /mer.kuˈri.a.nus/ | “pertaining to Mercury” | Late antique cognomina derived from the god’s name; appears in inscriptions and ecclesiastical lists. |
| Maecenas | Maecenas | MYE-see-nas /maeˈke.nas/ | Old Roman family name; patron of arts | Gaius Maecenas, Augustan patron of Virgil and Horace; well-known from classical literature and later Latin commentary. |
Descriptions
Marcus
Marius
Marcellus
Marcellinus
Marianus
Marinus
Martin(us)
Matthaeus
Matthias
Maximus
Maxentius
Maximianus
Maximilianus
Maximinus
Magnus
Manius
Mamercus
Macrinus
Macarius
Marcius
Marcianus
Maro
Martialis
Maternus
Maurus
Mauricius
Mauritius
Maurinus
Melito
Mercurius
Metellus
Modestus
Moderatus
Mucius
Memmius
Milo
Miltiades
Minucius
Misenus
Modestinus
Montanus
Maternianus
Macer
Maximinus
Martianus
Musaeus
Munatius
Macedo? (excluded)
Maenius
Marcellus
Macerinus
Macrianus
Marpellus
Mercator
Morinus
Mercuri(anus)
Maecenas