65+ Unique Names That Start With M for a Boy

Boy names that start with M are just as popular today — if not more — than they were 75 years ago. 

In fact, the letter “m” has been a top-five first initial for baby boys every year since 1948 and a lot of that has to do with the popularity of names like Michael, Matthew and Mark. 

All three of those M names for boys rank inside the Social Security Administration’s top-15 boy names over the last 100 years (since 1924) and were given to a combined 7.3 million baby boys over that span. 

More recently, the letter “m” was the third-most popular first initial for boys and accounted for just over 7% of all names given to baby boys in 2023, according to Behind the Name. 

The only difference now is that we’re seeing a new generation of M boy names emerge in the United States as Michael, Matthew and Mark grow less popular each year.

For example, Michael, the second-most popular boy’s name since 1924, was just the 16th most popular boy’s name in 2023. 

Matthew (13th over the past 100 years) dropped to 32nd in 2023 and Mark (15th since 1924) dropped out of the top-250 in 2023. 

Today, Mateo is the most popular “m” name for a baby boy — ranking sixth in 2023 with 11,229 births. 

Michael (16), Mason (30), Matthew (32), Maverick (37), Miles (43), Micah (87) were the only other baby boy names that start with M inside the SSA’s top-100 for 2023. 

Let’s take a look at some of the other, more unique names that start with M for a boy. 

Mikael

Origin: Hebrew; Scandinavian; Finnish

Meaning: Who is like God?

Mikael, pronounced mee-kai-EEL, is the Scandinavian, Finnish and Breton form of Michael, which comes from the Hebrew name Miḵaʾel and is derived from the Hebrew elements mi and ke, meaning “like,” and el, meaning “God.” 

Mekhi

Origin: Hebrew; Invented

Meaning: Who is like you, Lord? 

Mekhi, pronounced muh-KAI, is believed to be derived from the Hebrew phrase Mi Kamocha Adonai, which translates to “Who is like you, Lord?” — though some theories treat it as a diminutive of Michael. 

Mael

Origin: Breton; Welsh

Meaning: Prince; Lord; Chieftain

Mael, pronounced MY-el, is derived from the Welsh and Breton word mael, meaning “prince,” “lord” or “chieftain.” Some parents prefer to spell it the French way, Maël, while Maela is the feminine form.

McCoy

Origin: Scottish; Irish; Gaelic; American

Meaning: Little fire; Little flame; Son of Aodh

McCoy, pronounced muh-COY or mick-COY, is the Anglicized form of the Scottish surname MacAoidh and Irish surname Mac Aodha, which means “son of Aodh” in Irish. Aodh is believed to come from the Old Irish root áed, meaning “fire.”

Maurice

Origin: Roman; Latin

Meaning: Moorish; Dark-skinned

Maurice, pronounced MOR-iss or mor-EES, is derived from the Roman name Mauritius, which comes from the Latin name Maurus, meaning "Moor" or "dark-skinned." It was popularized by Saint Maurice, a 3rd-century Roman soldier who became a Christian martyr. 

Mordechai

Origin: Hebrew; Biblical

Meaning: Chief God; Servant of Marduk

Mordechai, pronounced mor-duh-KHY or MOR-duh-kai, is an alternate transcription of the Hebrew name Mordecai, meaning “servant of Marduk.” Marduk was the name of the chief Babylonian god, presiding over heaven, light, sky, battle, and fertility. 

Marlon

Origin: French; Welsh; Invented

Meaning: Sea Fortress

Marlon, pronounced MAR-lin, is believed to be a French diminutive of Marc or an alternate way of spelling Merlin, a Welsh word meaning “sea fortress.” It was popularized by actor Marlon Brando in the 1950s.

Murphy

Origin: Irish Gaelic

Meaning: Sea warrior

Murphy, pronounced MUR-fee, comes from the Irish Gaelic surname Ó Murchadha, meaning "descendant of Murchadh." The name Murchadh is derived from the Gaelic elements muir, meaning "sea," and cadh, meaning "warrior" or "battler.”

Mustafa

Origin: Arabic

Meaning: The chosen one

Mustafa, pronounced moo-STAH-fah, is an Arabic name that’s derived from the root word istafa, meaning "to choose." It is one of the names or titles given to the Prophet Muhammad in Islam.

Marcellus

Origin: Roman

Meaning: God of war; Young warrior

Marcellus, pronounced mar-SELL-us, is derived from the Roman family name Marcellus, which is a diminutive of Marcus. It ultimately comes from the name Mars, the Roman god of war and agriculture.

Matheo

Origin: Norwegian; Swedish; Hebrew

Meaning: Gift of God

Matheo, pronounced mah-TAY-oh or ma-TEE-oh, is the Norwegian and Swedish version of Matthew, which comes from the Hebrew name Matityahu and is derived from the Hebew elements mattat, meaning “gift,” and yah, meaning “God.”

Mitchell

Origin: English; Hebrew

Meaning: Who is like God?; Big; Large

Mitchell, pronounced MITCH-el, is an English surname-turned-given-name that’s believed to be a diminutive of Michael, meaning “who is like God?” Other theories suggest that it comes from the Middle English word michel, meaning “large” or “big.”

Massimo

Origin: Italian; Latin

Meaning: The great one; The greatest

Massimo, pronounced mah-SEE-mo, is the Italian form of Maximus, which is derived from the Latin word maximus, meaning "greatest" or "largest." It was worn by Saint Maximus, a monk and theologian from Constantinople.

Melvin

Origin: Scottish; Gaelic; Norman French

Meaning: Bad town; Gentle lord; Gentle chieftain

Melvin, pronounced MEL-vin, has multiple potential origins. Some experts suggest that it comes from Malleville, a Scottish surname and French place name meaning “bad town.” Other theories suggest it’s derived from the Gaelic surname Ó Maoil Mhín, meaning “gentle chieftain" or "gentle lord.”

Magnus

Origin: Late Latin

Meaning: The great one; Large

Magnus, pronounced MAG-nus, comes directly from the Latin word for "great" or "large." It became popular in Scandinavia after King Magnus I of Norway, who was named after Charlemagne (Carolus Magnus).

Marcel

Origin: French; Roman

Meaning: Little warrior; Dedicated to Mars

Marcel, pronounced mar-SELL, is the French form of the Roman family name Marcellus, which is believed to be an elaborated form of Marcus. It ultimately comes from Mars, the Roman god of war.

Misael

Origin: Hebrew; Biblical

Meaning: Who asked?; Who is what God is?

Misael, pronounced mee-sah-EL or MEE-sah-el, is a Hebrew name found in the Bible. It comes from the Hebrew name Misha'el, meaning "who is what God is?" or "who asked?" — both rhetorical questions. 

Mylo

Origin: English; Old German; Slavic

Meaning: Gracious; Dear

Mylo, pronounced MY-loh, is a modern variation of Milo, the Old German and Latinized form of Miles. It’s believed to be derived from the Slavic element milŭ, meaning "gracious” or “dear.” 

Mauricio

Origin: Spanish; Roman

Meaning: Dark-skinned; Moorish

Mauricio, pronounced mow-REE-see-oh, is the Spanish form of Maurice, which comes from the Roman names Mauritius and Maurus, meaning "Moorish" or "dark-skinned." It was the name of one of Saint Benedict’s followers.

Musa

Origin: Arabic; Hebrew

Meaning: Drawn out of the water; Son

Musa, pronounced MOO-sa, is the Arabic and Quranic form of Moses. In Hebrew, the name is associated with being "drawn out of the water," referring to the biblical story of baby Moses being rescued from the Nile. Other theories suggest that it comes from the Hebrew name Moshe and Egyptian word mes, meaning “son.”

Mac

Origin: Irish; Scottish

Meaning: Son

Mac, pronounced MACK, originated as a prefix in Scottish and Irish surnames meaning "son of." It has evolved to become a standalone given name, often used as a nickname for names beginning with "Mc" or "Mac.”

Marvin

Origin: Old English; Welsh

Meaning: Famous friend; Sea friend

Marvin, pronounced MAR-vin, is believed to be derived from the Old English name Mærwine, which is composed of the Old English elements mære, meaning "famous," and wine, meaning "friend.” Other theories tie it to the Welsh name Merfyn, meaning “sea friend.”

Madden

Origin: Irish; Gaelic

Meaning: Descendent of Madaihín; Dog; Mastiff

Madden, pronounced MAD-en, comes from the Irish surname Ó Madaidhín, meaning "descendant of Madaihín." The name Madaihín is derived from the Irish word madadh, meaning "dog" or “mastiff” in Gaelic.

Maximo

Origin: Spanish; Latin

Meaning: The great one; Largest

Maximo, pronounced MAK-see-mo, is the Spanish form of Maximus, which is derived from the Latin word maximus, meaning "greatest" or "largest." Many people like to use it as a unique and elaborated form of Max. 

Maximilian

Origin: Roman; Latin

Meaning: The great one; Largest

Maximilian, pronounced mak-si-MIL-ee-un, is derived from the Roman family name Maximianus, which comes from the Latin word maximus, meaning "greatest” or “largest.” It was popularized by Emperor Maximilian I in the 15th century.

Moses

Origin: Hebrew; Egyptian

Meaning: Son; Child; Drawn out of the water

Moses, pronounced MOH-zis, comes from the Hebrew name Moshe, which is thought to derive from the Egyptian word mes or mesu, meaning "son" or "child." In the Bible, it's associated with being "drawn out of the water," referring to how the infant Moses was rescued from the Nile river.

Morgan

Origin: Old Welsh

Meaning: Sea-circle; Sea-born

Morgan, pronounced MOR-gan, comes from the Old Welsh elements mor, meaning "sea," and cant, meaning "circle.” Other theories suggest it comes from mor, meaning “sea,” and gen, meaning "born."

Mack

Origin: Gaelic

Meaning: Son

Mack, pronounced MACK, originated as a shortened form of names beginning with "Mc" or "Mac," the Gaelic prefix meaning "son of." It has since evolved to become a standalone name.

Marcelo

Origin: Spanish; Portuguese; Roman

Meaning: Young warrior; Dedicated to Mars

Marcelo, pronounced mar-SEL-oh, is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Marcellus, derived from the Roman name Marcellus, a diminutive of Marcus. It ultimately comes from Mars, the Roman god of war.

Major

Origin: Latin; English; Germanic

Meaning: Greater; More important; Council spear

Major, pronounced MAY-jer, comes directly from the Latin word maior, meaning "greater” or “more important.” It was originally used as a title, though some theories link it to the Germanic name Malger, meaning "council spear.”

Memphis

Origin: Egyptian; American

Meaning: Egyptian city; City in Tennessee; Enduring beauty

Memphis, pronounced MEM-fis, takes its name from the ancient Egyptian city, which comes from the Egyptian mn-nfr, meaning “enduring beauty.” It’s also the name of the second-most populated city in Tennessee. 

Moshe

Origin: Hebrew; Egyptian; Biblical

Meaning: Son; Child; Drawn out of the water

Moshe, pronounced MO-she (with a slight "sh" sound), is the Hebrew form of Moses, which is thought to derive from the Egyptian word mes or mesu, meaning "son" or "child." In Jewish tradition, it's associated with being "drawn out of the water," referring to how the infant Moses was rescued from the Nile river.

Marion

Origin: Medieval French; Hebrew

Meaning: Star of the Sea; Beloved; Bitterness

Marion, pronounced MARE-ee-un, was originally a medieval French diminutive of Marie (Mary), derived from the Hebrew name Miriam. It was popularized as the real name of American actor John Wayne. 

Marshall

Origin: Old French; Germanic

Meaning: Horse servant; Caretaker of horses

Marshall, pronounced MAR-shul, comes from the Old French "mareschal," which is derived from the Germanic elements marah, meaning "horse," and scalc, meaning "servant." It was originally an occupational surname for someone who tended horses or a high officer in medieval courts.

Malik

Origin: Arabic; Islamic

Meaning: King; Sovereign

Malik, pronounced muh-LEEK or MAL-ik, comes directly from the Arabic word for "king" or "sovereign." In Islamic tradition, al-Malik is one of the 99 names of Allah, giving this name both power and royalty.

Marco

Origin: Italian; Latin; Roman

Meaning: Warlike; Dedicated to Mars

Marco, pronounced MAR-ko, is the Italian form of Mark, which derives from the Latin name Marcus — ultimately coming from Mars, the Roman god of war. It was worn by famous Venetian explorer Marco Polo.

Mathias

Origin: Greek; Hebrew

Meaning: Gift of God

Mathias, pronounced muh-THY-us, is a variation of the Greek name Matthias, which is derived from the Hebrew name Matityahu and composed of the Hebrew elements mattat, meaning “gift,” and yah, meaning “God.” 

Manuel

Origin: Spanish; Portuguese; Hebrew

Meaning: God is with us; With God

Manuel, pronounced man-WELL, is the Spanish and Portuguese form of the Hebrew names Emmanuel and Immanuel, which is composed of the Hebrew elements im, meaning “with,” and el, meaning “God.” 

Maximus

Origin: Latin; Roman

Meaning: The great one; Largest

Maximus, pronounced MAX-ih-mus, comes directly from the Latin word for "greatest" or "largest." It was originally used as a Roman family name and title of honor before gaining popularity through the 2000 film "Gladiator.”

Malcolm

Origin: Scottish Gaelic

Meaning: Devotee of Saint Columba; Follower

Malcolm, pronounced MAL-kum, comes from the Scottish Gaelic name Máel Coluim, meaning "devotee of Saint Columba." It combines the elements máel, meaning "devotee" or "follower," and Colm, referring to Saint Columba.

Maximiliano

Origin: Spanish; Roman; Latin

Meaning: The great one

Maximiliano, pronounced mak-see-mee-lee-AH-no, is the Spanish form of Maximilian, derived from the Roman family name Maximilianus, which comes from the Latin word maximus, meaning "greatest."

Muhammad

Origin: Arabic; Islamic

Meaning: Praised; Commendable

Muhammad, pronounced moo-HAM-mad or mo-HAM-ed, comes from the Arabic root ḥamida, meaning "to praise." It’s the name of the prophet and founder of Islam, making it among the most common names worldwide.

Marcus

Origin: Roman; Latin

Meaning: Dedicated to Mars; Warlike

Marcus, pronounced MAR-kus, derives from the Roman name Marcus, which is believed to come from Mars, the Roman god of war. It was one of the most popular praenomina (personal names) in ancient Rome.

Milan

Origin: Slavic; Sanskrit

Meaning: Gracious; Dear; Unification; Togetherness

Milan, pronounced mi-LAHN or MEE-lahn, has multiple origins. In Slavic languages, it derives from the element milŭ, meaning "gracious" or "dear.” In Sanskrit, it can mean "coming together" or "unification."

Malakai

Origin: Hebrew; Fijian; Tongan

Meaning: Messenger; Angel

Malakai, pronounced mal-uh-KYE, is the Fijian and Tongan form of Malachi, which comes from the Hebrew name Malʾaḵi and is composed of the Hebrew element malʾaḵ, meaning “messenger” or “angel.” 

Maddox

Origin: Welsh

Meaning: Good; Fortunate

Maddox, pronounced MAD-ocks or MAD-icks, originated as a Welsh surname meaning “son of Madoc,” with Madoc coming from the Welsh name Matauc and Welsh element mad, meaning "good” or “fortunate."

Miguel

Origin: Hebrew; Spanish; Portuguese

Meaning: God-like; Who is like God?

Miguel, pronounced mee-GEL, is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Michael, which is derived from the Hebrew name Miḵaʾel and composed of the Hebrew elements mi and ke, meaning “like,” and el, meaning “God.” 

Messiah

Origin: English; Hebrew

Meaning: Anointed one; Savior; Liberator

Messiah, pronounced muh-SY-uh, comes directly from the English word messiah and Hebrew word mashiyaḥ, meaning "anointed one." In Jewish and Christian traditions, it refers to a savior or liberator.

Maxwell

Origin: Scottish; Old English

Meaning: Mack’s stream; Son of the well

Maxwell, pronounced MAKS-well, originated as a Scottish surname derived from a place name meaning "Mack's stream,” combining the name Mack, meaning “son,” with the Old English element wille, meaning “well” or “stream.”

Matias

Origin: Hebrew; Spanish; Portuguese

Meaning: Gift of God

Matias, pronounced mah-TEE-as, is a variation of Matthias used in the Spanish, Finnish, and Hungarian languages. Like other forms, it derives from the Hebrew name Matityahu, meaning "gift of God."

Max

Origin: Latin

Meaning: The greatest; The great one

Max, pronounced MAKS, is often used as a nickname for names like Maxwell, Maximilian and Maxim rather than a standalone name. It’s derived from the Latin word maximus, meaning "greatest."

Malachi

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: Angel; Messenger

Malachi, pronounced MAL-uh-kye, comes from the Hebrew name Malʾaḵi, which itself is derived from the Hebrew word malʾaḵ, meaning “angel” or “messenger.” It appears in the Bible as the name of the last prophet in the Old Testament.

Milo

Origin: Slavic; Latin

Meaning: Gracious; Soldier

Milo, pronounced MY-loh, has multiple potential origins, but most experts link it to the Slavic element milŭ, meaning "gracious," or the Latin word miles, meaning "soldier." It’s a common diminutive of the name Miles.

Myles

Origin: Latin; Slavic; Greek

Meaning: Soldier; Gracious; Dear; Mill

Myles, pronounced MYLZ, is a variant spelling of Miles, which either derives from the Latin word miles, meaning "soldier," or Slavic element milŭ, meaning "gracious” or “dear." Other theories suggest that it comes from the Greek element myle, meaning “mill.” In Greek mythology, Myles was a king of Laconia.

Micah

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: God-like; Who is like God?

Micah, pronounced MY-kuh, is the contracted form of the Hebrew name Micaiah, which is composed of the Hebrew elements mi and ke, meaning “like,” and yah, referring to the Hebrew God. The Book of Micah is the sixth of the twelve minor prophets in the Hebrew Bible.

Maverick

Origin: English

Meaning: Independent-minded; Unbranded calf

Maverick, pronounced MAV-er-ick, originated as an American term for an unbranded calf, taken from Texas rancher Samuel Maverick who didn't brand his cattle. It evolved to describe an independent person before becoming a given name.

Matthew

Origin: Hebrew; Greek; English

Meaning: Gift of God; God’s gift

Matthew, pronounced MATH-yoo, is the English form of the Greek name Matthaios and Hebrew name Matityahu, which is composed of the Hebrew elements mattat, meaning “gift,” and yah, meaning “God.” It appears in the Bible as one of the twelve apostles and author of the first Gospel.

Mason

Origin: English; Old French

Meaning: Stoneworker

Mason, pronounced MAY-sun, originated as an English occupational surname for someone who worked with stone. It derives from the Old French word maçon of the same meaning. It’s also akin to the Old English word macian, meaning “to make.” 

Michael

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: God-like; Who is like God?

Michael, pronounced MY-kul, comes from the Hebrew name Miḵaʾel, which is composed of the Hebrew elements mi and ke, meaning “like,” and el, referring to the Hebrew God. It appears in the Bible as the name of an archangel. 

Mateo

Origin: Spanish; Hebrew; Greek

Meaning: Gift of God

Mateo, pronounced muh-TAY-oh, is the Spanish form of Matthew, which comes rom the Greek name Matthaios and Hebrew name Matityahu, and is composed of the Hebrew elements mattat, meaning “gift,” and yah, meaning “God.”

Macaulay

Origin: Scottish; Irish; Gaelic

Meaning: Son of Amhalghaidh

Macaulay, pronounced muh-KAW-lee, derives from the Scottish and Irish Gaelic surname Mac Amhalghaidh, meaning "son of Amhalghaidh.” Amhalghaidh is a personal name of unknown meaning. It was popularized in the United States by “Home Alone” actor Macaulay Culkin.

Merritt

Origin: Old English; English

Meaning: Boundary Gate; Worthy; Deserving

Merritt, pronounced MEHR-it, originated as an English surname and place name meaning “boundary gate” in Old English. It can also be tied to the English word merit, which comes from the Latin word meritus, meaning “good,” “worthy” and “deserving.” 

Marlowe

Origin: Old English

Meaning: Remnants of a lake; Driftwood

Marlowe, pronounced MAR-loh, comes from an English place name derived from the Old English elements mere, meaning "lake," and lāf, meaning "remains" or "remnants," possibly referring to driftwood.

Milton

Origin: Old English

Meaning: Mill town

Milton, pronounced MIL-tun, derives from an English place name meaning "mill town," which combines the Old English elements mylen, meaning "mill," and tūn, meaning "enclosure" or "settlement."

Merrick

Origin: Welsh; Old Germanic

Meaning: Moorish; Powerful ruler

Merrick, pronounced MEHR-ick, has multiple potential origins. It may derive from the Welsh name Meuric (a form of Maurice) or from Old Germanic elements maht, meaning "power," and ric, meaning "ruler."

Monty

Origin: Norman; Spanish

Meaning: Mountain; Gumarich's mountain

Monty, pronounced MON-tee, is traditionally a nickname for Montgomery, which originated as a Norman surname derived from a place name meaning "Gumarich's mountain" or "Gumarich's hill." It can also be derived from the Spanish word monte, meaning “mountain.”

Not Impressed By Boy Names That Start With M?

Not everyone will find what they’re looking for among these unique boy names that start with M for a boy. 

While it offers a marvelous mix of meanings and origins — from the biblical majesty of Matthew to the independent spirit of Maverick — they certainly aren't the only letter worthy of consideration.

In fact, there’s a whole world of baby names out there for you to discover. 

If you need some more inspiration, check out our baby name generator and narrow your search down to what matters most to you and your family. Together, we can find the perfect name for your baby boy!