Boy Names That Start With M

Looking for names that start with the letter M can be a rewarding experience. Whether it’s a family tradition or just a preference for the letter, many names beginning with M carry unique qualities and rich meanings.

Exploring these names provides a variety of choices, from the most popular to centuries-old biblical names.

These names offer a great starting point for anyone searching for the perfect name for their baby boy. Each name comes with its own significance, making the process of choosing not just exciting but meaningful.

Popular Boy Names That Start With M

Mason

Mason means “stoneworker” and has origins in an Old French word with Germanic roots. As an English surname, it started gaining popularity as a first name in the United States from the 1980s.

The name got an additional boost in 2009 when Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick named their son Mason on the reality TV show Keeping Up with the Kardashians.

Michael

Michael comes from the Hebrew name meaning “who is like God?” and is traditionally associated with one of the archangels. It has been a popular name for centuries, with its usage spanning numerous saints, nine Byzantine emperors, and rulers throughout Europe.

Famous individuals with this name include musician Michael Jackson, basketball player Michael Jordan, and actor Michael Douglas.

Mateo

Mateo is a popular form of Matthew in Spain and Croatia. It shares a similar variant in Italy, spelled Matteo.

Matthew

Matthew means “gift of Yahweh” in Hebrew and is known as the author of the first gospel in the New Testament.

Over the centuries, it has been used by historical figures like American naval officer Matthew C. Perry, who led a delegation to Japan, and American actor Matthew McConaughey.

Maverick

Maverick originates from the English word meaning “independent.” It also has roots in the surname of a 19th-century Texas rancher who refused to brand his calves.

Notable Mavericks include Australian tennis player Maverick Banes and American basketball players Maverick Morgan and Maverick Rowan.

Micah

Micah is a shortened form of Micaiah and was one of the 12 minor prophets in the Old Testament.

Recognizable Michas include American comic book artist Micah Gunnell, American football player Micah Hyde, and Kenyan long-distance runner Micah Kogo.

Myles

Myles can be a variant of Miles, which comes from the Germanic name Milo, or from Greek, meaning “mill.” In Greek mythology, Myles was the name of the king of Laconia.

Milo

Milo is the old Germanic form of Miles and has been used since the Middle Ages.

Notable Milos include American actor Milo Ventimiglia, known for Gilmore Girls, and Tony-nominated Irish actor Milo O’Shea.

Maxwell

Maxwell, often abbreviated to Max, originates from a Scottish surname meaning “Mack’s stream.”

An example is Scottish physicist James Maxwell. Maxwell and Max also appear in popular culture, including The Beatles song “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer” and the post-apocalyptic movie series Mad Max.

Malachi

Malachi comes from the Hebrew word meaning “my messenger” or “my angel.” It is also associated with one of the 12 minor prophets in the Old Testament.

Unique Boy Names That Start With M

Myrddin

Myrddin is the original Welsh form of Merlin. It likely comes from Celtic elements meaning “sea” and “rampart” or “fort.”

The name appears in early Welsh poems, depicting a prophet living in the Caledonian forest. In the twelfth century, Geoffrey of Monmouth adapted Myrddin into the famous Merlin of Arthurian legend.

Myron

Myron means “sweet oil” or “perfume” in Greek. It was also used as the name for a Greek sculptor from the fifth century B.C.E.

Many saints have borne the name Myron over the centuries.

Moacir

Moacir originates from the Tupi word moasy, which means “pain” or “regret.”

This name is also the name of a character, the son of Iracema, in the novel Iracema by José de Alencar.

Manawydan

Manawydan is a Welsh name probably derived from the Celtic root meaning “mountain.”

It features in the Welsh collection of tales called The Mabinogion and is the name of the son of Llŷr.

Moana

Moana is used for both boys and girls in Polynesia. It means “ocean,” “wide expanse of water,” or “deep sea” in Maori and Hawaiian.

This name is also used in Tahiti, Samoa, and Tonga. It gained international fame following Disney’s 2016 film Moana.

Mekaisto

Mekaisto comes from the Siksika word Mí’kiai’stoowa, which translates to “red crow.”

This name carries deep cultural significance within the Siksika nation.

Melqart

Melqart means “king of the city” in Phoenician. It was the name of a Phoenician god, worshiped in the city of Tyre.

Murchadh

Murchadh translates to “sea battle” in Old Irish.

The name was borne by several medieval Irish chieftains and kings, highlighting its historical significance.

Mithridates

This is the Greek form of the Persian name Mithradatha, meaning “gift of Mithra.”

It was a name used by several kings in regions like Parthia and Pontus.

Mago

Mago has Phoenician roots, likely meaning “shield.”

The name was used by three kings of Carthage and also by the brother of the famous Hannibal Barca.

Biblical Boy Names That Start with M

Madai

This name means “Medes” in Hebrew. Madai was the son of Japheth in the Old Testament and is considered the ancestor of the Medes, an ancient people related to the Persians.

Mahlah

Mahlah is a name used for both boys and girls in the Old Testament. It likely comes from the Hebrew word challah, meaning “sick” or “weak.”

Manasseh

Manasseh was the oldest son of Joseph and Asenath in the Old Testament. The name means “causing to forget” in Hebrew.

Mark

Mark likely comes from the Latin Marcus, linked to the name of the Roman god Mars.

Saint Mark was the author of the second gospel of the New Testament and is the patron saint of Venice.

The name also appears in literature and history, such as King Mark in The Romance of Tristan and Iseult.

Notable people named Mark include author Mark Twain, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, and actor Mark Wahlberg.

Matthias

Matthias, a variant of Matthew, appears in the New Testament as the apostle chosen to replace Judas Iscariot.

This name has also been used by Kings of Hungary, including Renaissance king Mattias I.

Medad

Medad means “love” in Hebrew. In the Old Testament, Medad is one of the elders who prophesized in the camp of the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt.

Meshach

This name has Akkadian roots and likely means “who is what Aku is?” with Aku being a Babylonian moon god.

In the Old Testament, Meshach is the Babylonian name for Mishael, a man saved by God in the Book of Daniel.

Micaiah

Micaiah means “who is like Yahweh?” in Hebrew and is used for both men and women.

It’s the full name of Micah, a prophet mentioned in the Book of Judges.

Mordecai

Mordecai means “servant of Marduk” in Persian.

He appears in the Book of Esther in the Old Testament as Esther’s foster father.

Moses

Moses is the central figure in the Book of Exodus.

The name might come from the Egyptian word for “son” or “deliver,” or “drew out” in Hebrew.

Moses led the Jews out of slavery in Egypt and into the Promised Land, with significant events like the parting of the Red Sea and receiving the 10 Commandments.

Cool Boy Names That Start With M

Michelangelo

This name combines Michael and Angelo, which refer to the archangel Michael.

Its popularity surged due to the Renaissance artist Michelangelo Buonarroti, known for his statue of David and painting the Sistine Chapel.

The name also features in popular culture, such as the children’s cartoon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Other notable Michelangelos include the Italian film director Michelangelo Antonioni.

Mictlantecuhtli

Mictlantecuhtli means “lord of Mictlan” in Nahuatl.

In Aztec mythology, Mictlantecuhtli was a ruler of the underworld, presiding over the land of the dead.

Menes

Menes is the Greek form of the ancient Egyptian name mnj, which means “to endure.”

This name is historically significant as Menes was an ancient Egyptian king credited with unifying Upper and Lower Egypt around 3000 B.C.E.

Mustafa

Mustafa means “the chosen one” in Arabic and is an epithet of Muhammad.

Historically, it was borne by four Ottoman sultans and the founder of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

Menander

This name is the Latinized form of Menandros, which means “to stay” or “to last.”

Historical figures with this name include a fourth-century B.C.E. Greek dramatist and a second-century B.C.E. Indo-Greek king.

Manuel

Manuel is a short form of Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.”

It’s widely used in Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries. Notable bearers include Mexican fashion designer Manuel Cuevas and soccer players Manuel Lanzini and Manuel Locatelli.

Marius

Marius originates from a Roman family name possibly linked to Mars, the Roman god of war or the Latin word maris, meaning “male.”

This name gained widespread popularity through the character Marius Pontmercy in Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables.

Merlin

Merlin comes from the Welsh name Myrddin, likely adapted by Geoffrey of Monmouth in the twelfth century.

The name is most famous from the Arthurian legends, where Merlin is the wise magician and counselor to King Arthur.

Mordred

Mordred has roots in Arthurian mythology, possibly deriving from the Welsh name Medraut or the Latin moderatus, meaning “controlled” or “moderated.”

In some versions, Mordred is depicted as King Arthur’s illegitimate son.

Math

Math is a Welsh name rooted in the word for “bear.”

It also appears in Welsh legend, where Math ap Mathonwy is depicted as a king of Gwynedd and a magician.

Modern Boy Names Starting With M

Mackenzie

This name has roots in a Scottish surname, stemming from the Old Irish term for “handsome” or “fair.”

Though it’s used for both boys and girls, it remains more common for boys in the United Kingdom. In the United States, it has been popularized for girls, largely due to American actress Mackenzie Phillips.

Macaulay

Originating from the Gaelic family name meaning “son of Amhalghaidh,” Macaulay gained popularity as a boys’ name following the fame of child actor Macaulay Culkin, known for the Home Alone movies.

Madison

Madison comes from an English surname meaning “son of Maud.”

While it is used for both boys and girls, its popularity as a feminine name surged after the release of the 1984 movie Splash. It is also a notable name due to James Madison, an author of the American constitution and the fourth president of the United States.

Maikel

Maikel is a contemporary variation of the name Michael, found in Dutch and Spanish regions.

It is based on the English pronunciation of Michael, offering a modern twist to a classic name.

Marley

This name originates from an English surname meaning “pleasant wood” or “boundary wood,” derived from a place name.

Jamaican musician Bob Marley is a well-known bearer of this surname. The name also gained recognition from the 2008 film Marley & Me, in which it was the dog’s name.

Maxi

Maxi serves as a short form of Maximiliano in Spain and Maximilian in Germany, with a feminine counterpart being Maximiliane.

It’s a playful and modern choice for a boy’s name.

Maddox

Maddox comes from the Welsh surname meaning “son of Madoc.”

The name gained notable attention when actress Angelina Jolie named her adopted son Maddox in 2002. It presents a strong, modern choice for a boy’s name.

McKinley

McKinley originated as a Scottish surname from the Anglicized form of Mac Fhionnlaigh, linking back to Old Irish words for “white” or “fair” and “warrior.”

It became a given name since the nineteenth century and has been used for both boys and girls since the 1990s. The name is also associated with William McKinley, the twenty-fifth president of the United States.

Memphis

Rooted in Ancient Egypt, Memphis means “enduring beauty” in Egyptian.

It is also the name of a city in Tennessee, famously home to musicians like Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash. Memphis offers a musical and cultural touch to a modern boy’s name.

Montana

Montana is named after the American state, which in turn gets its name from the Latin word for “mountainous.”

This name evokes a sense of vast landscapes and adventure, making it a unique choice for a boy.

Cute Boy Names That Start With M

Manny

Manny is a charming diminutive for Emmanuel or Manuel.

Marty

Often used as a nickname for Martin, Marty gained popularity from the time-traveling movie trilogy Back to the Future, thanks to the character Marty McFly.

Matty

Matty is derived from Matthew and is a common name among soccer players, including English players Matty Hughes and Matty Lund.

Merry

Merry, a nickname for Meriadoc from J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, means “jolly” in the hobbit language of Kali.

Mickey

A diminutive form of Michael, Mickey is widely recognized thanks to Disney’s Mickey Mouse and American baseball player Mickey Mantle.

Misi

Pronounced “mishi,” Misi is a diminutive form of Mihály, which is the Hungarian version of Michael.

Mario

Mario comes from the name Marius and is popular in Spain and Italy.

It’s famously associated with the Nintendo videogame character and figures like racecar driver Mario Andretti and hockey player Mario Lemieux.

Moisey

Moisey is the Russian form of Moses.

Mungo

A Scottish name with uncertain meaning, Mungo could come from a Brythonic phrase meaning “my dear.”

It was a nickname for sixth-century Saint Kentigern.

Masami

This Japanese name combines masa, meaning “become,” “right,” or “proper,” with mi, meaning “beautiful.”

Short Boy Names That Start With M

Mack

Mack can come from names starting with Mac or Mc. It also has roots in a medieval short form for Magnus.

Mads

Mads is a Danish short form of Mathias.

Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen is a well-known person with this name.

Marc

Marc is the French, Catalan, and Welsh form of Mark or Marcus.

American fashion designer Marc Jacobs and singer Marc Anthony are famous examples.

Mars

This name might come from the Latin word for “male.”

In Roman mythology, Mars was the god of war. It’s also the name of the fourth planet in the solar system.

Merle

Merle means “blackbird” in French.

It could also be a version of the name Merrill for boys, meaning “pleasant hill,” or Muriel for girls. It is common in Estonia.

Minh

Minh means “bright” in Sino-Vietnamese.

It’s known for the famous revolutionary Ho Chi Minh.

Mo

For boys, Mo usually shortens Maurice or Morris.

Moss

Moss is an old form of Moses.

The British sitcom The IT Crowd features a character named Moss, played by Richard Ayoade.

Mu

Mu is a Chinese name that can mean “admire” or “desire.”

It might also mean “tree” or “wood.”

Min

Min is a name from China and Korea.

The character for Min can mean “quick,” “clever,” and “sharp” or “people” and “citizens.”

Strong Boy Names That Start With M

Mabon

This Welsh name is derived from Maponos, meaning “great son.”

In the Welsh legend Culhwch and Olwen, Mabon is a prisoner who is freed by Arthur’s warriors to assist in hunting the great boar Trwyth.

Macario

Originating from the Spanish name and rooted in Greek history, Macario comes from Makarios, which means “bless” or “happy.”

It was used by multiple early saints.

Macbeth

A Scottish name meaning “son of life,” which implies holiness.

Macbeth is well-known due to Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, inspired by a real Scottish king from the eleventh century.

Macsen

The Welsh form of Maximus, a Roman name meaning “greatest.”

Magnus Maximus, known as Macsen Wledig in Welsh, was a fourth-century co-ruler of the Western Roman Empire and founder of several royal lineages. The medieval Welsh tale The Dream of Macsen features him as a central character.

Magnus

Meaning “great” in Late Latin, this name gained popularity in Scandinavia after the eleventh century.

It was borne by a seventh-century saint and King Magnus I of Norway. It has been used by seven Norwegian kings and three Swedish kings.

Mahatma

Mahatma means “great soul” in Sanskrit, famously associated with Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, better known as Mahatma Gandhi, a nonviolent freedom activist.

Martin

Derived from the Roman name Martinus, which is linked to Mars, the Roman god of war.

Notable Martins include theologian Martin Luther, philosopher Martin Heidegger, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., filmmaker Martin Scorsese, and actors Martin Sheen and Martin Freeman.

Malcolm

This name comes from the Scottish Gaelic, meaning “disciple of Saint Columba.”

It was the name of four Scottish kings, including one featured in Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Malcolm X, the civil rights leader, is a notable figure with this name.

Marcus

With origins tied to the Roman god Mars, Marcus was a common name in Roman times.

Famous bearers include statesman Marcus Tullius Cicero, politician Marcus Antonius, and emperor Marcus Aurelius. It has largely been replaced by the biblical name Mark in modern times.

Muhammad

Meaning “praised” or “commendable” in Arabic, this name is best known for the Prophet Muhammad, who founded Islam in the seventh century.

It is widely used across the Muslim world with various spellings like Mohammed or Muhammed.

Famous bearers include the founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and American boxer Muhammad Ali.