Names Starting with M: 31 Magical Yet Unique Baby Names

Matthew, Michael, Mia and Mel – names starting with M have always been popular and M baby names often have a place in the top 10 on baby name lists, from the popular Mason to the vintage Morris.

The rise of the M baby names

Growing up, names starting with M were all over the place too. We had Melanie, Michelle and Megan as well as Mike and Mark in every classroom. In the 00s the M names continued with Madison, Madeline, Matty and Max making their way to the top.

In 2023, 10 of the top 100 baby girl names start with an M including Mia and Matilda, both in the top 10. Additional names include Mila, Millie, Maya, Maisie, Margot, Maggie, Maeve and Mackenzie.

For boys, 4 of the top 100 starts with an M including Max, Mason, Michael and Muhummed.

Even old-school names like Mary and Maisie are still used today.

If you’re after something a little more unique, then check out these magical yet unique baby names starting with M.

Baby Names Starting with M – 31 Magical Choices

Micah – We predict Micah might make it into the top 100 next year as it is gaining traction. This pretty-sounding name means “like God” and is also a gemstone.
Marley – A little bit vintage and a whole lot cute, Marley works for any gender and has a bit of a woodsy appeal to it. It means “pleasant wood”.

woodsy baby names - names starting with M — Source: Bigstock

Milan – A charming name meaning “gracious” or “kind”.
Marlowe – Meaning “from the hill by the lake”, Marlowe is a nature name with both pastoral and literary connotations.
Matteo – This peppy name is the Italian equivalent of Matthew and can be shortened to the cute Teo (Tay-o).
Maren – Meaning “star of the sea”, Maren is whimsical and sweet.
Mira – Another water-themed name, Mira means “ocean” in some languages but is also associated with peace and power.
Maverick – Meaning “independent”, Maverick is another strong M baby name that’s feisty and unique. Mav is also pretty cool as a nickname.
Maelie – The name Mae is growing in popularity but we haven’t seen Maelie very much. This pretty name means “princess”.
Malachi – A Biblical name, Malachi means “messenger of God”.
Mckenna – This fiery name is a cute alternative to Mackenzie and means “born of fire”, a hot choice for any little one born in one of the fire signs (Aries, Leo or Sagittarius).
Meric – or Merrick if you prefer, isn’t a M baby name you hear often but it’s quite charming. Meric means “fame or power”.
Milo – A delicious drink and a cute name!
Malik – A royal option, Malik means “king”.

names beginning with M - Malik — Source: Bigstock

Mavise – Embedded in French roots, Mavise means “songbird”.
Malia – Another really pretty-sounding name starting with M, Malia means “calm” or “peaceful” and is a lovely alternative to Mia or Maia.
Myla – A name fit for a little warrior, Myla means “soldier” or “merciful”.
Mack – While it could be considered a nickname, Mack is quite strong on its own and means “greatest”.
Macklynn – For a longer version, consider Macklynn.
Maitland – Wild and whimsical, Maitland means “untamed”.
Maliyah – In Hawaiian, this name means “calm” and “peaceful”.
Mabel – We love the vintage vibe of Mabel which was popular 100 years ago and deserves a major comeback.
Mercy – If you’re a fan of virtue names, Mercy makes a unique alternative to more common ones like Grace and Hope.
Maple – A lovely natural option, Maple is as sweet as can be.
Merida – If you’re a Disney/Pixar fan, you’ll know this name, which means “one who has achieved a high honour”.
Marabella – A long and elegant choice, Marabella is a cute alternative to the more popular Isabella.
Mylan – A Slavic name that means “gracious”.
Miyo – This Japanese name comes with a lovely meaning – “beautiful child”.
Merritt – With Old English roots, this name means “boundary gate”.
Miller – Another old English name, Miller is often seen as a surname but can make a cute first name too.
Maylin – There are a few cute ways to spell this one – Maelin, Mailyn or Maylynn. This lovely name means “beautiful Jade”.