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My favourite girls names beginning with M, N, O & P

ElsaAnne
By ElsaAnne
Updated Thu May 25 2023
  1. Maeva

    • Origin:

      Tahitian

    • Meaning:

      "welcome"

    • Description:

      Though it sounds like a variation of the Irish Maeve, Maeva actually hails from Tahiti, and is currently enjoying a wave of popularity in France, where it ranks in the Top 100, possibly via popular French folk singer and actress Maeva Meline.
  2. Maeve

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "she who intoxicates"

    • Description:

      Maeve is a short and sweet name that has become one of the most stylish Irish names for girls in the modern US. It joined the Top 100 for the first time in 2023 and now ranks at Number 74.
  3. Maggie

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Margaret

    • Meaning:

      "pearl"

    • Description:

      Maggie is a cute, earthy short form that has been in style for several decades now, still sometimes used as an independent name by such parents as Jon Stewart. First used in Scotland, it got a large bump in popularity via the 1971 Rod Stewart hit song "Maggie May." Today's Maggie might just as well be short for a more adventurous name such as Magdalena or Magnolia as for the classic Margaret.

      Maggie Gyllenhaal was born Margaret.

  4. Maisie

    • Origin:

      Scottish diminutive of Margaret or Mary

    • Meaning:

      "pearl or bitter"

    • Description:

      Maisie, a charming name long popular as a nickname for Margaret or Mary, entered the Top 1000 as itself ten years ago and continues to rise. Game of Thrones star Maisie Williams helped propel the name back into the limelight, along with the that of her character, Arya.
  5. Marcelle

    • Description:

      Marcelle is the feminine form of Marcel, a name with Latin origins derived from 'Marcellus,' a diminutive of Marcus meaning 'dedicated to Mars,' the Roman god of war. Popular in France and other French-speaking regions, Marcelle carries an elegant, classic quality. The name has historical significance, having been borne by several saints and notable figures throughout European history. While more common in previous generations, Marcelle has the timeless sophistication that could appeal to parents seeking a name with French flair and historical depth. The name balances femininity with strength, and its familiar sound pattern makes it accessible despite being relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries today. Marcelle offers the appeal of vintage names while maintaining a distinctive international character.

  6. Marcheline

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "warrior"

    • Description:

      Marcheline was the first name of Angelina Jolie's late mother, who was part French-Canadian, which Jolie and Brad Pitt used as the middle name for their twin daughter Vivienne. The name is related to the Latin Marcellus and Marcus, which come from Mars, the name of the God of War, and is often spelled Marceline. Jolie's mother's birth name was Marcia Lynne.
  7. Marcie

    • Description:

      Marcie is a feminine name that originated as a diminutive of Marcia or Marcella, which themselves derive from Latin names related to Mars, the Roman god of war. Sweet and approachable, Marcie peaked in popularity in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s, embodying the friendly, girl-next-door quality popular during that era. While it has declined in usage since then, Marcie maintains a cheerful, vintage charm that has attracted renewed interest among parents seeking retro names with character. The name carries associations of warmth and friendliness, partly influenced by the character Marcie from the Peanuts comic strip. As a standalone name rather than a nickname, Marcie offers an unpretentious simplicity with a pleasant, familiar sound.

  8. Marcy

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Marcia

    • Meaning:

      "Mars, god of war"

    • Description:

      Marcy is about as hip as bobby sox and saddle shoes – which is to say, it's probably due a revival in the not-too-distant future! It was a typical Peanuts character name, which peaked in the seventies, but is starting to attract attention again across the pond, where soundalikes like Macy, Marnie, Maisy, Darcy and Lacey are already popular.
  9. Maria

    • Origin:

      Hebrew or Egyptian

    • Meaning:

      "drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"

    • Description:

      As a highly popular girls' name in all Spanish-speaking countries, this saintly Latin variation of Mary retains a timeless beauty. Through the centuries, Maria remains one of the most widely-used girl names starting with M.
  10. Mariana

    • Origin:

      Latin, Portuguese, Spanish, Romanian

    • Meaning:

      "related to the god Mars"

    • Description:

      Mariana is that unusual name that is more than the sum of its parts. While Mary or Maria and Ana or Anna are both perfectly nice classic names, Mariana achieves a lyrical elegance that transcends them.
  11. Marielle

    • Origin:

      Dutch and French diminutive of Mary

    • Meaning:

      "drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"

    • Description:

      Mariel Hemingway made us aware of the more abbreviated spelling of this charming name, which dates back to the nineteenth century.
  12. Marla

    • Origin:

      Variation of Marlene

    • Meaning:

      "Mary Magdalene; beloved, bitter, drop of the sea + high tower"

    • Description:

      Marla might have dropped out of style in the US back in the 90s, but it has seen a resurgence in the UK in recent years. With a little dated charm about it, this variation of Marlene, itself a variant of Magdalene and Mary, blends in with the likes of Marley, Marlowe, Mila, Myla, Martha, and Maya. It was a fast rising choice in 2023 in both England and Wales, and Croatia.
  13. Marsha

    • Origin:

      Variation of Marcia, diminutive of Marcella

    • Meaning:

      "warlike"

    • Description:

      Marcia is the most common version of this group of names in the U. S., now found more often among moms and grandmas than babies. Marsha was a Top 100 name in the 1950s, when Marcy was its common go-by name.
  14. Matilda

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "battle-mighty"

    • Description:

      Matilda is a sweet vintage name that has been gently climbing the popularity list for the past 15 years, after a half-century slumber. The spunky children's book heroine Matilda is one factor in its rise, along with others of its class like Eloise and Caspian.
  15. Megan

    • Origin:

      Welsh diminutive of Margaret

    • Meaning:

      "pearl"

    • Description:

      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 for Margaret—it is most often used as a full name. Other spellings include Meghan, Meagan, Megyn, and Meaghan.
  16. Mollie

    • Origin:

      Variation of Molly

    • Description:

      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.
  17. Morgan

    • Origin:

      Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "sea-born, sea-song or sea-circle"

    • Description:

      Morgan has long been a traditional Welsh male name, a variant of the Old Welsh name Morcant, from the Welsh elements mor, meaning "sea" and cant, "circle." The female Morgan is unrelated to the male version—it is a name from Arthurian legend created for Morgan le Fay, King Arthur's half-sister and famed sorceress. Her name comes from Morgen, an Old Welsh name meaning "sea-born," and is related to the Irish name Muirgen.
  18. Myla

    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Mila or feminine variation of Milo

    • Meaning:

      "soldier or merciful"

    • Description:

      Myla can be seen as a female variation of Milo or a different spelling for popular Mila. Though frequently unnecessary in alternate spellings, the "y" here does connote a specific pronunciation.
  19. Myra

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "sweet-smelling oil"

    • Description:

      As with many grandmother-y names, this choice may be coming back into style.
  20. Maevalie