Here you’ll find 73 Modern girl names that start with M, organized from “Mabel” to “Myra”. These names are contemporary, easy to spell, and often cross-cultural, useful for expectant parents, writers, and creators.
Modern girl names that start with M are contemporary feminine given names beginning with the letter M. Many blend traditional roots with new spellings and appear on recent baby-name lists worldwide.
Below you’ll find the table with Name, Pronunciation (including IPA), Origin/Country, Meaning, and Popularity/Notes.
Name: The given name as commonly used; you can scan for style, length, and familiar variants quickly.
Pronunciation (including IPA): A user-friendly guide with IPA helps you say names correctly and compare similar-sounding options easily.
Origin/Country: Shows cultural or geographic roots so you see language context and traditions behind each name at a glance.
Meaning: Concise definitions let you understand the name’s theme or symbolism before deciding to use it.
Popularity/Notes: Includes recent rank, trend cues, or brief notes that help you judge each name’s modern currency and appeal.
Modern girl names that start with M
| Name | Pronunciation | Origin (Country/Language) | Meaning | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mabel | MAY-bəl (ˈmeɪbəl) | English | Lovable or dear | Vintage name revived in recent decades popular in UK and US baby lists; charming old fashioned feel. |
| Macy | MAY-see (ˈmeɪsi) | English/French | Weapon or a brand name meaning uncertain | Short energetic name used since late 20th century; seen in pop culture and steady use. |
| Madeline | MAD-ə-lin (ˈmædəlɪn) | English/French | Woman from Magdala or high tower | Classic with modern appeal; consistently popular and often spelled Madeleine or Madelyn. |
| Madison | MAD-ə-sən (ˈmædɪsən) | English | Son of Matthew originally but used for girls | Broke out as a given name in 1990s US and stayed widely used into 2000s. |
| Mae | MAY (meɪ) | English | Month name or pearl variant | Short sweet name used independently in modern times and in vintage revivals. |
| Maeve | MAYV (meɪv) | Irish | She who intoxicates | Irish origin that rose in popularity across English speaking countries recently. |
| Maggie | MAG-ee (ˈmæɡi) | English | Pearl or diminutive of Margaret | Longtime nickname that increasingly stands alone as a given name. |
| Maisie | MAY-zee (ˈmeɪzi) | Scottish/English | Pearl diminutive | Cute vintage revival popular in UK and gaining traction in US. |
| Maja | MY-a or MAH-ya (ˈmaːja) | Scandinavian/Slavic | Variant of Maia or Mary | European spelling variant used widely across Northern and Central Europe. |
| Malia | muh-LEE-uh (məˈliːə) | Hawaiian/Polynesian or African | Calm or beloved in various roots | Gained visibility in the 2000s and used internationally. |
| Maliyah | muh-LIE-ə (məˈlaɪə) | Arabic/English | Variant of Malia meaning royalty or high status | Modern spelling variant popular in US since 1990s. |
| Makayla | muh-KAY-lə (məˈkeɪlə) | English | Variant of Michaela meaning who is like God | Very popular spelling variant in late 1990s and 2000s US. |
| Makenna | muh-KEN-ə (məˈkɛnə) | Gaelic/English | Son of the handsome one originally | Modern feminine form of a surname that became popular in late 20th century. |
| Mackenzie | muh-KEN-zee (məˈkɛnzi) | Scottish/English | Son of Coinneach originally | Surname turned popular female given name especially in 1990s and 2000s. |
| Malena | mah-LAY-nə (məˈleɪnə) | Spanish/Italian | Variant of Magdalena or melancholy | Modern melodic choice used in Europe and Americas. |
| Malina | mah-LEE-nə (məˈliːnə) | Slavic/Polynesian | Little girl or woman of the sea in some languages | Soft sounding name with international usage rising recently. |
| Maliah | muh-LEE-ə (məˈliːə) | Hawaiian/Arabic | Variant of Malia or Aaliyah style name | Modern spelling variant with steady use in English speaking countries. |
| Malina | ma-LEE-na (məˈliːnə) | Slavic/Polynesian | Honey or little girl depending on region | (Note duplicate to Malina above) Modern international usage. |
| Malory | MAL-or-ee (ˈmæləri) | English/French | Unfortunate originally | Used as a feminine name in modern English but less common. |
| Maren | MAIR-en (ˈmɑːrən) | Scandinavian/Latin | Of the sea | Short crisp name gaining popularity in US and Northern Europe. |
| Margot | MAR-go (mɑːrˈɡoʊ) | French | Pearl | Chic French name with steady modern use and literary associations. |
| Marian | MARE-ee-ən (ˈmæriən) | English/Latin | Of the sea or from Mary | Classic that remains in use with a modern elegant tone. |
| Mariana | MAR-ee-AH-nə (ˌmærɪˈænə) | Spanish/Latin | Combination of Maria and Ana | Popular in Hispanic communities and broadly used internationally. |
| Marigold | MAR-i-gold (ˈmærɪɡoʊld) | English | Golden flower | Vintage floral revival name with whimsical modern appeal. |
| Marina | muh-REE-nə (məˈriːnə) | Latin | Of the sea | Timeless name with global use and modern friendliness. |
| Marin | MAH-rin or muh-RIN (ˈmærɪn / məˈrɪn) | Latin/English | Of the sea | Brief modern name used in several languages; unisex but popular for girls. |
| Maris | MAH-ris (ˈmærɪs) | Latin | Of the sea | Stylish short name used in modern naming. |
| Marisol | MAR-i-sol (ˈmærɪsɒl) | Spanish | Sea and sun | Hispanic compound name with warm modern usage. |
| Marlee | MAR-lee (ˈmɑːrli) | English | Variant of Marley or Marl | Contemporary spelling variant used increasingly for girls. |
| Marley | MAR-lee (ˈmɑːrli) | English | From the meadow | Unisex name used frequently for girls in recent years. |
| Marnie | MAR-nee (ˈmɑːrni) | English | From the sea or little warrior | Retro name that has seen a modern comeback. |
| Marta | MAR-ta (ˈmɑːrtə) | Spanish/Slavic | Lady or mistress | Classic name with continued modern international use. |
| Martha | MAR-thə (ˈmɑːrθə) | Aramaic/English | Lady or mistress | Traditional name still used and occasionally revived. |
| Martina | mar-TEE-nə (mɑːrˈtiːnə) | Latin/Italian | Of Mars or warlike | Modern usage in Europe and Latin America. |
| Matilda | mə-TIL-də (məˈtɪldə) | Germanic/English | Battle mighty | Vintage revival that became especially popular in UK and Australia. |
| Maude | MAWD (mɔːd) | Germanic | Mighty in battle | Old fashioned which has seen revival in style conscious namers. |
| Maia | MY-uh or MY-ah (ˈmaɪə) | Greek/Roman | Mother or great by some roots | Ancient name with resurging modern popularity. |
| Maya | MY-ə or MY-ah (ˈmaɪə) | Hebrew/Sanskrit/Greek | Water or illusion depending on origin | International favorite with strong modern usage. |
| Mckenna | muh-KEN-ə (məˈkɛnə) | Scottish/English | Son of Coinneach originally | Surname given name widely used for girls since 1990s. |
| Megan | MEH-gən (ˈmɛɡən) | Welsh | Pearl | Very popular in English speaking countries from 1980s onward. |
| Meghan | MEG-ən (ˈmɛɡən) | Irish/English | Variant spelling of Megan | Modern alternate spelling well used since late 20th century. |
| Mei | MAY (meɪ) | Chinese/Japanese | Plum or beautiful depending on language | Short international name with modern appeal. |
| Melanie | MEL-ə-nee (ˈmɛləni) | Greek/English | Dark or black | Timeless and moderate popularity in recent decades. |
| Melina | meh-LEE-nə (məˈliːnə) | Greek/Spanish | Honey or calm | Soft melodic name used internationally. |
| Melody | MEL-oh-dee (ˈmɛlədi) | English/Greek | Song | Musical name that rose in late 20th century and remains in use. |
| Mercedes | mer-SAY-deez (mərˈseɪdiz) | Spanish | Mercies | Brand and saint name used as a bold modern given name. |
| Meredith | MER-i-dith (ˈmɛrəθɪd) | Welsh | Great ruler | Welsh surname turned female given name with sustained modern use. |
| Mercy | MER-see (ˈmɜːrsi) | English/Latin | Compassion or forgiveness | Virtue name with contemporary usage and religious connotations. |
| Mia | MEE-uh (ˈmiːə) | Italian/Scandinavian | Mine or bitter depending on root | One of the most popular female names in recent decades. |
| Michaela | mih-KAY-lə (mɪˈkeɪlə) | Hebrew/English | Who is like God | Feminine of Michael with steady modern use. |
| Mikayla | mi-KAY-lə (mɪˈkeɪlə) | English | Variant of Michaela | Modern spelling variant popular in late 1990s and 2000s. |
| Mila | MEE-lə (ˈmiːlə) | Slavic/Spanish | Gracious or dear | Rapidly rising in popularity since 2010 and widely used internationally. |
| Milani | mih-LAH-nee (mɪˈlæni) | Hawaiian/Italian influenced | Calm or modern crafted name | Contemporary name with stylish sound popular in US. |
| Milena | mee-LAY-nə (mɪˈleːnə) | Slavic/Spanish | Gracious or shining | Elegant international name increasingly used in English speaking countries. |
| Miley | MY-lee (ˈmaɪli) | English | Derived from Smiley nickname | Modern pop culture name that rose after Miley Cyrus. |
| Milla | MIL-ə (ˈmɪlə) | Finnish/Scandinavian | Gracious or industrious | Short chic name used across Europe and North America. |
| Millie | MIL-ee (ˈmɪli) | English | Pet form of Mildred or Millicent | Once a nickname now often used as a full given name. |
| Mina | MEE-nə (ˈmiːnə) | Arabic/Germanic/Slavic | Love or guardian depending on language | Short international name with modern versatility. |
| Minerva | mi-NUR-və (mɪˈnɜːrvə) | Latin | Mind or intellect | Classic mythically rooted name experiencing niche modern use. |
| Mira | MEE-ra or MIH-ra (ˈmiːrə / ˈmɪrə) | Latin/Slavic/Sanskrit | Wonderful or peaceful depending on root | Short cross cultural name with steady contemporary use. |
| Mirabel | MIR-ə-bel (ˈmɪrəˌbɛl) | Latin/French | Wonderful beauty | Name saw a resurgence after the 2021 film Encanto and is used more now. |
| Miranda | mi-RAN-də (mɪˈrændə) | Latin | Admirable or worthy of admiration | Literary name that remains in modern usage. |
| Mireya | mee-RAY-uh (miˈreɪə) | Spanish | Admirable or honeyed | Hispanic name with growing visibility in US communities. |
| Mireille | mee-RAY (miˈreɪ) | French | To admire | Elegant French choice used internationally in modern naming. |
| Miriam | MIHR-ee-əm (ˈmɪriəm) | Hebrew | Bitterness or wished for child | Ancient name that retains steady modern use across cultures. |
| Moira | MOY-ra (ˈmɔɪrə) | Irish | Star of the sea or fate | Gaelic form of Mary that sees regular modern use. |
| Monica | MAH-ni-kə (ˈmɒnɪkə) | Latin/Greek | Advisor or peaceful | Continued modern familiarity after widespread 20th century use. |
| Monroe | muh-NROH (mənˈroʊ) | English | From the mouth of the Roe river or famous surname | Surname first name that rose in modern use for girls. |
| Morgan | MOR-gan (ˈmɔːrɡən) | Welsh | Sea circle or bright one | Unisex name with steady female use in recent decades. |
| Morgana | mor-GAH-nah (mɔːrˈɡɑːnə) | Welsh/Latin | Sea born or enchantress | Romantic and slightly mythical choice used in modern naming. |
| Mya | MY-uh (ˈmaɪə) | English variant of Maya | Similar to Maya | Modern alternate spelling that saw popularity in 2000s. |
| Myla | MY-lə (ˈmaɪlə) | English | Modern invented form meaning honey or soldier | Trendy soft name rising in English speaking countries. |
| Myra | MY-rah (ˈmaɪrə) | Latin/English | Admirable or poetically invented | Vintage revival name with continued contemporary use. |
Descriptions
Mabel
Macy
Madeline
Madison
Mae
Maeve
Maggie
Maisie
Maja
Malia
Maliyah
Makayla
Makenna
Mackenzie
Malena
Malina
Maliah
Malina
Malory
Maren
Margot
Marian
Mariana
Marigold
Marina
Marin
Maris
Marisol
Marlee
Marley
Marnie
Marta
Martha
Martina
Matilda
Maude
Maia
Maya
Mckenna
Megan
Meghan
Mei
Melanie
Melina
Melody
Mercedes
Meredith
Mercy
Mia
Michaela
Mikayla
Mila
Milani
Milena
Miley
Milla
Millie
Mina
Minerva
Mira
Mirabel
Miranda
Mireya
Mireille
Miriam
Moira
Monica
Monroe
Morgan
Morgana
Mya
Myla
Myra