Updated November 2026
Across 6 pages
of 6
German, Swedish diminutive of names beginning with Mein- or Magn-
"strong"
The names from which Meja derived, including Meinhild and Magnhild, are long gone, but a Swedish singer called Meja (born Anna Pernilla Torndahl) has piqued interest in this modern derivative. Meja…
French form of Millicent, German
"strong in work"
This old-time fairy tale name is rarely heard in the modern English-speaking world, but it's so, well, mellifluous, that it would make a lovely choice for a twenty-first century girl--a romanticized…
Irish
"little dog"
An unusual, energetic surname choice that would make a good Madison alternative. Madigan was a typical police detective series of the 1970s, starring Richard Widmark.
Japanese
"fortunate child"
What parent wouldn't love this meaning?
Mata is a concise feminine name with diverse cultural origins. In Sanskrit, it means 'mother' and holds sacred connotations, while in Hebrew it can mean 'gift.' The name appears in various cultures…
French
"delicate, dainty"
Charming French endearment, first used as a name by Goethe, that now makes an appealing choice -- though the proper feminine form is Mignonne. Note, though, that this is not actually used as a name…
Diminutive of Matilda or Martha
Mittie is an antiquated nickname, best known as the name of the mother of President Theodore Roosevelt. It may be a short form of the pet name Mitten.
Variation of Maybelline
"lovable"
Maybellene is the true one-of-a-kind baby name that Taylor and Natalie Hanson chose for their daughter in 2020. It's a variation of Maybelline, which is itself an elaboration of the name Mabel. The…
English
"Mary's land"
A fun, unexpected way to honor your home state or a Mary in your life. As geographical girl names such as Ireland, Scotland, and Oakland slowly rise up the charts, Maryland could be a future favorite.
Aboriginal Australian
"black swan"
Maroochy Barambah, an Australian singer, brought this name into prominence in Australia.
Greek
"dark flower"
The th sound both softens and complicates this Melanie relative.
botanical name
Marjoram is a herb and flower. With nicknames like Margie and Jo at the ready, we think that if Marigold can make a comeback, why not Marjoram?
Roman
"messenger of the gods, quicksilver"
It's a car brand, a planet, and the messenger of the gods -- but it's questionable whether it works as a little girl's name.
Spanish, Music name
Can you hear the beat?
English, word name or combination of Mary and Lee, or Scottish place-name
Merilee and Merrilee were early respelled or word names, ahead of their time in some ways. Merrilee hit the Top 1000 for a couple of years in the 1940s, but last year no baby girls were given either…
Diminutive of Margaret
"pearl"
Sixties-style nickname which is also the name of a small biting insect, particularly prevalent in Scotland.
English word name
"twelve o'clock at night"
A dark, mystical choice, most often used for black cats, Midnight is a relatively new addition to the baby pool. It was used as a middle name by Nicole Richie and Joel Madden for their son in 2009,…
Danish, Norwegian diminutive of Marie, Japanese
"bitter; beauty; three"
A sweet and simple nickname for Marie that could serve to freshen up the outdated full form.
Musical name
Maraca sounds more like a name than Banjo, so why not? It's rhythmic and, well, musical, so might make an adventurous choice.
Music name
Manzie was an obscure one-person name until Woody Allen used it for his young daughter, named after jazz drummer Manzie Johnson. Johnson played with another jazz musician, Sidney Bechet, whose last…