Updated October 2026
Across 23 pages
of 23
Madia is a feminine name with diverse cultural origins. In some contexts, it's a variation of Madea or Medea from Greek mythology, though without the negative associations. In others, it derives from…
Madena is a feminine name of uncertain etymology, though it may be related to the Italian city of Modena or could be a variation of Madeline. The name has a melodic, flowing quality with its three…
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.
Latin
"song for unaccompanied voices"
Madrigal might be a pretty and highly distinctive choice for a child of a musical family--or for the parent looking for a less conventional path to the nickname Maddie than Madeline or Madison .…
Hebrew
"weak, sick; dance"
In the Bible, Mahlah was one of five daughters of Zelophehad. The others were Noa, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. Noa is popular, Tirzah is sometimes used, and Mahlah has a much better chance of modern…
Finnish, Irish variation of Mary
"sweet; drop of the sea, bitter"
Both Maire and Mare have begun making inroads with parents seeking novel yet authentic ways of honoring an ancestral Mary. The Finnish variation derives from the word mairea , meaning "sweet."
Spanish place-name
Trendy Spanish island makes for trendy girls' name.
Spanish place name
Pronounced my-ORK-a, the name of this lovely Balearic Island, located in the Mediterranean, is one of the prettiest and most feminine of place names. The Spanish spelling is MALLORCA.
Place-name
An archipelago near the center of the Mediterranean, the name derives from the Greek word for honey. Malta has been heard as a girl’s name in the past and was used as a character name by both Dickens…
English word name
"month name"
March has never been popular as a month name, possibly because of its slightly abrupt sound. But with all kinds of month (and season, day, and holiday) names, from January to December, Sunday to…
Marcita is a feminine name of Spanish origin, functioning as a diminutive form of Marca or an elaboration of Maria. The '-cita' suffix is a Spanish diminutive expressing endearment and affection. The…
Variation of Marcia, Latin
"warlike"
Martia, more distinctive than cousins Marta, Marcia and Marsha, also has a strong image and slightly unexpected feel.
Marcina is a feminine name with roots in ancient Roman culture, derived from Marcus, which means 'dedicated to Mars' (the Roman god of war). This feminine variation maintains the strength of its…
Greek variation of Margaret
"pearl"
Margalo could make an intriguing spin on Margaret, with Margo as a nickname. The name appears in E. B. White's Stuart Little — as a bird. Margalo Gilmore (born Margaret) was a well-known British-born…
English combination of Maria and Bella
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved + beautiful"
Variant of Maribella
English, word name or combination of Mary and Lee, or Scottish place-name
Merrilee has several different origins. It's an alternative spelling of the unusual word name Merrily, as well as a variant of the smoosh name Marilee (Mary + Lee). Merrilee, Merrilees or Mirrlees…
English invented name
"marvel"
Only in use in the US since the late 1950s, Marivel may have originated as a creative spin on Marvel, perhaps influenced by Maribel, which has followed the same popularity trajectory (although much…
English and French diminutive of Matilda, German
"battle-mighty"
Maud, lacy and mauve-tinted, was wildly popular a hundred years ago but has been rarely heard in the past fifty. Some stylish parents are starting to choose Maud again, especially as a middle. Maude…
Mayanita is a charming feminine name with Hispanic roots, formed as a diminutive of Maya. The suffix '-ita' adds a sense of endearment and affection in Spanish naming traditions, essentially meaning…
"God rejoices"
Most famously, the name of a 1920s alley cat.