By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 142 pages
of 142
Spanish, Hebrew
"Maria of Bethlehem; beloved Bethlehem"
Also spelled as María Belén, this compound name is familiar in Spain and may be interpreted as meaning "beloved Bethlehem" or simply "Maria (or Mary) of Bethlehem".
Maria Del Carmen is a traditional Spanish feminine compound name with deep Catholic roots. 'Maria' honors the Virgin Mary, while 'Del Carmen' refers specifically to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, an…
Sanskrit
"mother of rain"
Mariamman is a Hindu goddess worshipped as the bringer of rain and prosperity. Her name is often abbreviated to Amman, and her festivals are held during the late summer and early autumn seasons.
Dutch, Latin
"of the sea"
A unisex Dutch name, derived from the Latin Marinus, Marijn is a nature-inspired option, connected to the ocean — however, the alternative meaning "of Mars" (as in the Roman god of war) is sometimes…
Dutch
"marjoram"
A Dutch nature name, associated with the herb, marjoram, Marjolein may have shifted into a given name after being used as an elaboration of Maria or Marja. Once a popular choice in The Netherlands,…
Arabic
"star"
A lovely celestial choice which shortens to sweet vintage May.
Azerbaijani and Turkish variation of Mahin
"related to the moon"
Deriving from a celestial Persian name, the moon-inspired choice is popular in Azerbaijan.
Mehriban is a feminine name with Azerbaijani and Turkish origins, derived from the Persian word 'mehr' meaning 'kindness' or 'love,' combined with 'ban' meaning 'keeper' or 'protector.' The name…
English and Irish surname
"from Meulan; descendant of Meallán"
It's too close to the fruit "melon" to make a good first name, but if there are Mellons on your family tree, why not put it in the middle? The English form of this surname is habitational, and at one…
Melvin as a feminine name represents an interesting gender crossover from its traditional masculine usage. Derived from Scottish origins, the name means 'mill friend' or 'council friend.' While…
Cornish
"violet"
A lyrical, and very rare, hidden flower name.
Diminutive of Meret, German
"little pearl"
This rare literary name appears in Gottfried Keller's 1855 novel Der grüne Heinrich ( Green Henry ). Fiesty and beautiful Meretlein lived in the woods and was constantly causing trouble. Ultimately,…
Amharic, Ethiopian
"gift from God; holy oil"
While Meron looks like a variation of Maren or Marion, her origins are in Ethiopia: Meron is the name of the holy oil used for christenings in the Ethiopian Orthodox church.
Cree
"feather"
Latin
"dispatch"
Variation of Modwenna
The Irish saint known as Modwenna or Modwen did lots of amazing things and deserves to have her name remembered and perhaps even used for babies.
"fair lady"
A sweet modern update on Morgan.
"sea holly"
Morgelyn is a Cornish compound name derived from the Welsh mor , meaning "sea" and kelyn , "holly." Sea holly is another name for the Eryngium plant, which showcases prickly purple blooms, making…
"mermaid"
Morvoren derives from the Cornish mor , meaning "sea," and moren , "maiden," taking on the meaning of "mermaid." The Mermaid of Zennor, a local mythological figure, was associated with morvoren ,…
Muffin originated as an English word for a small, dome-shaped baked good before transitioning into use as a pet name or term of endearment, particularly in British and American culture. As a female…
