Scandinavian Names that Start With M

Mia is an appealingly unfussy multicultural name that has enjoyed a meteoric rise up the charts and is now firmly among the ten top girl names. Mia has surpassed its mother name Maria as the Number 1 girls' name starting with M.

Whether you pronounce it my-a, ma-zha or ma-ha, Maja is an intriguing choice. Sometimes associated with Goya's famous painting "The Naked Maja." As a cognate of Maya, it's a Top 10 name in Slovenia and Sweden and is also popular in Germany and Norway.

Variation of Michaela often used in Scandinavian countries. Mikaela is a Top 20 name in Puerto Rico.

A multi-cultural name that's in the Norwegian Top 50 and well-used throughout the Scandinavian cultures. Malin has the advantage of being at once simple and unusual.

This is a Scandinavian variant of Margaret, and is pronounced MEH-teh or MET, rhyming with jet.

Melker, a modern phonetic spelling of ancient Three Wise Men name Melchior, is in the Swedish Top 100 though not used in the US, where it would be heard as "milker." Nickname Mel is not exactly a fashionable choice at the moment either.

Monika is a feminine name primarily of Latin origin, being a variant spelling of Monica. The name derives from the Latin 'moneo' meaning 'to advise' or 'to remind.' Monika is particularly popular in Central and Eastern European countries, including Poland, Germany, Czech Republic, and Hungary, where this spelling is preferred over the more Anglicized 'Monica.' The name gained international recognition through Saint Monica, the persistent and prayerful mother of Saint Augustine. Monika has a melodic quality with its soft consonants and balanced syllables. While the 'Monica' spelling peaked in popularity in the United States during the 1970s, the 'Monika' variant maintains steady usage particularly in European countries and among families honoring their European heritage.

Mikele is a feminine name that represents a variation of Michele or Michela, which are Italian feminine forms of Michael. The name has Hebrew roots meaning 'Who is like God?' With a soft, melodic sound, Mikele offers a slightly uncommon twist on the more traditional Michelle or Michaela. While not among the most popular names in English-speaking countries, it carries a gentle elegance that appeals to parents seeking something distinctive yet recognizable. Mikele blends well internationally, with similar variations existing across several European cultures. The name's connection to the powerful archangel Michael gives it a sense of strength beneath its delicate exterior.

Marte is a feminine name with Scandinavian origins, particularly common in Norway and Sweden. It is derived from Martha, which comes from the Aramaic word meaning "lady" or "mistress of the house." In Norse-speaking countries, Marte has been used since medieval times and experienced waves of popularity throughout the centuries. The name carries connotations of strength, practicality, and domestic capability. In Norwegian culture, Marte has associations with traditional values while maintaining a modern appeal. The name is sometimes connected to the Roman god of war, Mars, especially in other cultural contexts. Its pronunciation varies slightly between Scandinavian countries, but it typically sounds like "MAR-teh."

Maj is a concise feminine name with Scandinavian origins, particularly popular in Sweden and Denmark. Typically pronounced 'my' in Swedish and similar to 'mai' in Danish, this short but distinctive name often serves as a diminutive of Maria or Maja. In some contexts, it directly relates to the month of May (Maj in Swedish and Danish), carrying associations with springtime, renewal, and flowering beauty. The name's brevity gives it a modern, minimalist appeal while its Nordic heritage provides cultural depth. Despite its simplicity, Maj possesses a subtle sophistication and cross-cultural adaptability. In Scandinavian countries, Maj enjoyed particular popularity during the mid-20th century and continues to be appreciated for its clean, unfussy aesthetic and natural connotations.