Girl Dog Names That Start With M

Malaya

Filipino

"free"

Deriving from the same East Asian root as Malaysia and Malay, Malaya is a name that recalls the more popular Maya and the name of 2014 Nobel Peace Laureate Malala Yousafzai. It first appeared in the…

Milana

Italian

"from Milan"

This makes Milan sound like less of a place, more of a name.

Magdalena

Greek

"from Magdala"

Magdalena is a pretty name forever associated with the fallen-yet-redeemed Mary Magdalen; often heard in the Hispanic community. But forward thinking parents are reviving Magdalena along with…

Madilynn

Spelling variation of Madelyn, meaning "from Magdala" or "high tower"

"high tower"

This variation of Madelyn has the trendier -nn suffix and ranks lower than the single -n ending. Regardless of what spelling you use, however, when you combine all the variations together, names from…

Mercy

English word name

"compassion"

The quality of mercy makes this lovely Puritan virtue name a quiet favorite today. Although it was most popular in the late nineteenth century, Mercy is on its way to a comeback -- it rose 143 spots…

Megan

Welsh diminutive of Margaret

"pearl"

Megan originally evolved from Meg, which itself derived as a nickname for Margaret. Margaret ultimately comes from the Greek word margarites , meaning "pearl." Megan is no longer a common nickname…

Mariel

Spanish, Latin American, English, and Filipino diminutive of Mary, Hebrew

"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"

Actress and author Mariel Hemingway popularized this attractive and unusual variation of Mary, which first emerged in the 20th century. Also the name of a Cuban town — which provided the source of…

Micah

Hebrew

"who is like the Lord"

While Micah is traditionally a boy name, it is now increasingly used for girls too, likely because it works as an alternative to Michaela, Maia, and McKenna. Still, Micaiah, the name from which Micah…

Maddie

Diminutive of Madeline or Madison, English

"woman from Magdala or son of Matthew"

Britney Spears' little sister Jamie Lynn was one of the first to put this nickname on the birth certificate. Cute for a child, but we recommend giving her the option of the full name for later use.

Mariella

Italian and Dutch diminutive of Maria

"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"

Lilting and nearly unknown here, with the currently popular ella ending, makes a good Marissa alternative. The meaning of Maria is uncertain, but theories include "drop of the sea" (from Hebrew roots…

Madalyn

Variation of Madeleine, French

"of Magdala"

Madalyn is a variant of the French name Madeleine — one of several which have graced the US top 1000 in recent years. While sister spellings Madeline and Madelyn have always been more popular,…

Milena

Czech; Slovak; Serbian; Croatian; Polish; Italian

"love, warmth, grace"

This popular name in various Slavic countries and in Italy holds considerable continental appeal. It is the full name of Ukranian-born actress Mila Kunis, noted for her award-winning role in the film…

Malaysia

Place-name

This evocative place-name is rising in popularity -- despite (or perhaps because of) the unfortunate association with an airplane that went missing in March 2014.

Marleigh

Spelling variation of Marley

This variation of Marley is gaining momentum due to the popular -leigh suffix, which is all over the US popularity lists. This name in particular reentered the US Top 1000 in 2013.

Montana

Spanish place-name

"mountainous"

Overly trendy western place-name, as stated in the title of our book Beyond Jennifer & Jason, Madison & Montana.

Mikaela

Swedish and Finnish variation of Michaela, Hebrew

"who is like God"

Variation of Michaela often used in Scandinavian countries. Oscar-winning actress Mikey Madison's formal name is Mkaela, spelled this way. Mikaela is a Top 20 name in Puerto Rico.

Malayah

Variation of Malaya, Filipino

"free"

Malayah first appeared on the charts in 1994 and has steadily climbed its way into the Top 1000. It's a spelling variation of Malaya, which derives from the same root as Malaysia — which in addition…

Maple

English tree name from Latin

"maple tree; tree of the Acer genus"

Maple is one of those sweet-spot word names that sounds so almost name-like that it doesn't feel outlandish or strange, despite its relative newness as a given name. Just as Juniper is adjacent to…

Marian

French medieval variation of Marie, Hebrew

"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"

Marian's (and sister spelling Marion's) image has gone through a sea change of late, recalling less middle-aged matron and more Robin Hood's romantic Maid Marian. Some influences: the SJ Parker-M.…

Mollie

Variation of Molly

This new/old spin on Molly -- nickname-names with the ie ending were particularly popular at the turn of the last century -- that has landed this name in the US Top 1000.