User-created list
boys names I like
Across 37 pages
of 37
Macon
French place-name
What with Mason scooting up the charts, this attractive place-name, with its thick Georgia accent, could make a more distinctive alternative. Macon has played major roles in two novels, Anne Tyler's…
Macrae
Scottish
"son of grace"
MacRae -- or McRay or McCrae -- is a Scottish surname-name whose meaning is most often given as son of grace or sometimes son of luck. The hero of Lonesome Dove's last name was McCrae. A good honor…
Mael
French or Breton
"chief or prince"
The name of a fifth century Breton saint, Mael is a popular boys' name in contemporary France, though it is usually spelled with a diaeresis or umlaut - Maël. Mael is the Breton spelling, and the…
Manu
Finnish, Maori, Hawaiian, Sanskrit, Akan, Hebrew
"greatest; bird; wise; second born; God is with us"
An international name that, while short and simple, sounds strong and distinctive, stylish and sweet all at once. It may appeal to those who want a name that works in multiple languages, while also…
March
English word name
"month name"
Along with August, March is one of the month names perfectly suited to boys. This brisk single-syllable name – which derives from the name of Mars, the Roman god of war – is worth considering as…
Marion
French derivative of Mary
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"
Fun fact: Marion was the birth name of movie star John Wayne. Although commonly thought of as a female name today, it was actually more popular for boys until the late 19th century, and was given to…
Marlon
French
"little hawk"
Associated for half a century with Marlon Brando, who inherited the French-inflected name from his father, Marlon has been especially well used by African-Americans, including the Jackson and Wayans…
Marlowe
Variation of Marlow, English
"driftwood"
While Marlowe (and Marlow and Marlo) are surname names that are not intrinsically or traditionally gendered and so in theory work equally well for boys and girls. About 10 percent of the babies named…
Marv
Marv is a diminutive form of Marvin, which derived from the Old English name Mærwine, meaning 'famous friend.' It combines the elements 'mær' (famous) and 'wine' (friend). As a standalone name, Marv…
Maxfield
English
"Mac's field"
This name may be related to the Latin Maximus, which means "the greatest," or to a British landowner's name, but for most modern parents, it's one of several ways to get to short form Max. Probably…
Maxton
English surname, elaboration of Max, Latin,"Maccas's homestead; greatest town"
"Maccas's homestead; greatest town"
Maxton is a new member of the ever-expanding Max clan of baby names, hitting the US Top 1000 for the first time in 2011. It joined newfangled Maxon and stylish cousin Paxton, though it did drop out…
Mccrae
Scottish
"son of Rath; son of grace and prosperity"
Stylized as McCrae, this attractive Scottish surname-name is found in Larry McMurtry's Lonesome Dove , as the surname of hero Augustus/Gus McCrae. Also spelled MacCrae or McRay among other…
Melville
Scottish
"settlement on infertile land"
All names ending in ville are in nowheresville.
Mercutio
Literary name
A Shakespearean name used for the wild and witty best friend of Romeo in Romeo and Juliet . A variant of the name, which supposedly derives from Mercurius/Mercury, first appeared in one of…
Midnight
English, word name
A mystical word name, most often reserved for black cats, Midnight conjures up darkness and the liminal space between the end of one day and the beginning of the next. It has seen some use as a baby…
Moby
Literary and nickname name
Moby, the nickname of musician Richard Melville Hall, was thanks to his ancestor Herman Melville, creator of the infamous whale. You can imagine calling a child Moby as a cute nickname in honor of a…
Mondo
Short form of Armondo, Raimondo or Edmondo, Italian
"world or protector"
Mondo as a first name was introduced the world by champion pole vaulter Armand "Mondo" Duplantis, an American Olympic gold medalist who competes for Sweden. Mondo is also an Italian word meaning…
Morrison
English
"son of Morris"
Morrison is one of the more uncommon patronymics; it could be used to honor an ancestral Morris, or one of the well-known surnamed Morrisons: Toni, Jim or Van.
Moss
English
"descendant of Moses"
This evocative green nature name, heard much more frequently as a surname, is associated with playwright Moss Hart (born Robert), who co-wrote (with George S. Kaufman) such enduring Broadway comedies…
Munro
Scottish
"mouth of the river Ro"
Takes Monroe out of the Dead Presidents category and gives it new life.