This list includes 38 Mythological creatures that start with M, from “Madremonte” to “Myling”. These entries cover monsters, spirits, hybrids, and legendary animals from global folklore. Writers, game designers, teachers, and curious readers use this list for research and inspiration.

Mythological creatures that start with M are non-human beings from myths and folklore, often embodying natural forces or moral lessons. For example, the “Manticore” appears in Persian legend as a fearsome hybrid, widely cited in medieval bestiaries.

Below you’ll find the table with Origin, Description, and Famous stories.

Origin: The Origin column lists the culture or region where each creature appears, helping you judge historical and regional context.

Description: The Description column gives a concise overview of appearance, powers, and role, so you can compare creatures quickly.

Famous stories: The Famous stories column names one or two myths or works where the creature appears, aiding further reading or citation.

Mythological creatures that start with M

Name Origin Alternate spellings Famous stories Description
Medusa Greek Gorgon Perseus and Medusa Snake-haired Gorgon whose gaze turns viewers to stone; once mortal, transformed by Athena; slain by Perseus using reflection and stealth.
Minotaur Greek (Cretan) Minotauros Theseus and the Minotaur Bull-headed man kept in the Labyrinth; devours sacrificial youths until Theseus kills it; symbolizes monstrous captivity and bestial strength.
Manticore Persian Mantichora, mantikoras Persian and medieval bestiaries Human-faced, lion-bodied beast with tail spines that sting or shoot; famed as man-eating monster in Persian then medieval European lore.
Mermaid Various (global) Merwoman, sea-maiden “The Little Mermaid”; sailors’ folktales Half-woman, half-fish water spirit; seduces sailors, grants omens, brings both blessing and doom in coastal folktales worldwide.
Merman Various (global) Mer-man, sea-man Fishermen’s folktales Male counterpart to mermaid: humanoid fish-being, often less benevolent, associated with storms, shipwrecks, and sea knowledge.
Merrow Irish Muirgeilt, merrows Irish folktales Irish sea-folk with green hair and fish-like lower bodies; sometimes marry humans, possess magic caps that enable return to sea.
Mothman American (West Virginia) Point Pleasant Mothman The Mothman Prophecies Modern cryptid: large winged humanoid with glowing red eyes; linked to 1966–67 sightings and omens of disaster in folklore and media.
Mokele-mbembe Congo Basin Mokèlé-mbèmbé Cryptozoology expeditions Amazon/Congo swamp cryptid described as sauropod-like, long-necked herbivore; subject of modern exploration and folkloric local accounts.
Mapinguari Amazonian (Brazil) Mapinguari Amazonian folktales Giant, sloth- or ape-like forest monster with a gaping mouth on its abdomen; reputed to emit foul smell and protect the jungle.
Manananggal Filipino Manananggal Philippine folktales Vampire-like female that separates torso and sprouts bat wings to fly at night; preys on pregnant women and feeds on fetuses or blood.
Marid Arabian Marīd, marad Arabian Nights; Islamic folklore Powerful class of djinn often associated with the sea; proud, can grant wishes but notoriously stubborn and dangerous.
Makara Hindu/South Asian Makara Hindu temple iconography Composite sea-monster: crocodile, fish and elephant traits; guardian of thresholds and vahana (mount) for certain deities and river goddesses.
Mare (folklore) Germanic/Anglo-Saxon Mære, nightmare Old English folklore, Grimm tales Nocturnal spirit or demon that rides sleepers, causing bad dreams; etymological root of “nightmare,” depicted as shadowy, oppressive presence.
Myling Scandinavian Myling Scandinavian folktales Ghost of an unbaptized murdered child; latches to travelers or demands proper burial, often depicted as wailing, pitiable, and vengeful.
Mujina Japanese Mujina Japanese folktales, Lafcadio Hearn Shapeshifting badger or raccoon-dog spirit; tricks humans, assumes human form, sometimes benevolent or frightening in ghost-stories.
Menehune Hawaiian Menehune Hawaiian legends Tiny, nocturnal master craftsmen who build fishponds and temples overnight; mischievous little people connected to island craftsmanship and folklore.
Mo’o Hawaiian Moo’o, Moʻo Hawaiian legends Powerful lizard or dragon-like water spirits; can shapeshift into humans, guard freshwater, protect or curse people and places.
Manes Roman Manes Roman funerary rites, Parentalia Ancestral spirits of the dead in Roman belief; honored at graves, associated with household rites rather than personal gods.
Matagot French (Occitan) Matagot French folktales Household spirit often appearing as a black cat; brings wealth if fed offerings, but can be trickster or malevolent when mistreated.
Melusine French/European Melusina The Romance of Melusine Water spirit woman with serpent or fish lower body; marries mortals under taboo conditions, associated with lineage curses and castle foundations.
Monopod Classical/medieval Sciapod Pliny, medieval bestiaries One-legged humanoid who uses its single giant foot as shade; fantastical “race” appearing in classical and medieval travel literature.
Mushussu Babylonian Sirrush, Mušḫuššu Ishtar Gate, Babylonian art Scaled dragon-serpent with feline forelegs and snake-like body; protective mythic creature linked to Marduk and Babylonian iconography.
Moroi Romanian Moroi Romanian vampire folklore Undead or spirit, sometimes child-like, that drains life or blood; part of Eastern European vampire traditions distinct from strigoi.
Mogwai Cantonese/Chinese Mogwai Cantonese folklore, modern films Traditional word for an evil spirit or demon in Cantonese folklore; later popularized in modern media as small mischievous creatures.
Mahaha Inuit Mahaha Inuit folktales Gaunt, laughing spirit who tickles victims to death; a cold-clime trickster-attack spirit associated with isolation and terror.
Mannegishi Cree (Canada) Mannegishi Cree tales Small, hairless trickster sprites living among rocks and rivers; playful or dangerous, known for mischief and stealing.
Monaciello Neapolitan Munaciello Naples folklore Little monk-like house spirit; sneaks into homes to steal clothes or treasures, sometimes grants luck for offerings.
Madremonte Colombian Madre Monte Colombian folktales Forest guardian woman controlling vegetation; punishes hunters and loggers, ensures wilderness protection in Andean and Amazonian tales.
Mahoraga Hindu/Buddhist Mahoraga Buddhist cosmology Serpent-like subterranean beings with human torsos; associated with music, earth, and guarding certain realms in Buddhist texts.
Manitou Algonquian Manidoo, Manitu Algonquian myths Spiritual force or spirit-being inhabiting natural things; can be benevolent or dangerous, central to Algonquian cosmology.
Mullo Albanian Mulë, mulo Albanian vampire tales Undead revenant similar to vampiric spirits; returns from the grave to trouble relatives, requiring specific rituals to stop.
Maero Māori Maero Māori legends Wild, cannibalistic forest spirits or giants; fierce nocturnal beings blamed for disappearances and dangerous mountains.
Mares of Diomedes Greek Mares of Diomedes Heracles’ labors Man-eating mares owned by Diomedes; Heracles tames or feeds their master to them as one of his labors.
Meliae Greek Meliai Hesiod, Greek myth Ash-tree nymphs born from the blood of the castrated Uranus; associated with trees, fertility, and sometimes warlike attributes.
Muscaliet Medieval European Muscalet Medieval bestiaries Obscure bestiary beast: goat-like with long tail that can roll into a wheel; listed among marvels in medieval natural histories.
Monoceros Classical/medieval Monoceros Classical bestiaries One-horned horse-like creature akin to unicorns in ancient and medieval descriptions, often romanticized in travel literature.
Mooinjer Veggey Manx (Isle of Man) Mooinjer Veggey Manx folklore “Little people” of Manx legend akin to fairies; live hidden by hills, playful or vengeful toward humans who disrespect them.
Mahishasura Hindu Mahīśāsura Devi Mahatmya, Durga myths Buffalo-headed asura/demon king who battles the goddess Durga; symbolizes chaotic, destructive force defeated by divine heroine.

Descriptions

Medusa
Minotaur
Manticore
Mermaid
Merman
Merrow
Mothman
Mokele-mbembe
Mapinguari
Manananggal
Marid
Makara
Mare (folklore)
Myling
Mujina
Menehune
Mo’o
Manes
Matagot
Melusine
Monopod
Mushussu
Moroi
Mogwai
Mahaha
Mannegishi
Monaciello
Madremonte
Mahoraga
Manitou
Mullo
Maero
Mares of Diomedes
Meliae
Muscaliet
Monoceros
Mooinjer Veggey
Mahishasura
If you think there is a missing term, let us know using the contact form.