The Names on This Site I Like

Maeva

Tahitian

"welcome"

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…

Mahalath

Mahalath is a biblical feminine name of Hebrew origin found in the Old Testament. It appears as the name of Esau's wife (Genesis 28:9) and also as a daughter of Jerimoth, who became one of King…

Minnie

Diminutive of Wilhelmina, German

"resolute protection"

Minnie was wildly popular at the turn of the last century — it was the fifth or sixth most popular name throughout the 1880s — but is completely obscure in the US today. Blame Mickey's girlfriend.…

Miryam

Miryam is the original Hebrew form of the name Mary, meaning 'wished-for child,' 'rebellion,' or 'sea of bitterness.' This ancient name carries profound historical and biblical significance as the…

Minerva

Latin

"of the mind, intellect"

Minerva is the long-neglected name of the Roman goddess of wisdom and invention, the arts and martial strength, one of the mythology names for girls that might appeal to adventurous feminist parents.…

Mei

Chinese; Hawaiian

"beautiful; plum"

Homophonous with Mae and May, the beautiful (literally) Mei is poised to climb the charts. The hero of the 2022 Disney/Pixar film Turning Red is a Chinese-Canadian teen named Meilin "Mei" Lee, which…

Mirja

Finnish form of Miriam

If you are looking for an unusual way to honor an ancestral Mary or Miriam, Mirja might make a good choice. Zero baby girls were given this name in the US in 2014. The rising popularity of Anja has…

Morocco

Place-name

The name Morocco is as rhythmic and alluring as the land itself, site of Casablanca and Marrakech. It could work for either gender — Mike Tyson chose it for his son.

Megumi

Japanese

"blessing"

An Asian name not widely known in the West.

Mimi

Diminutive of Mary, Miriam, and others

Sweet, nicknamey name belonging to the tragic heroines of both La Bohème and Rent . Mimi might feel too slight for many parents to use on the birth certificate, but as a short form, it's one of the…

Miki

Japanese

"flower stem"

Attractive but slight Asian alternative, with a 1970s nickname feel.

Medea

Greek

"middle"

Mythological princess who killed her kids. Eternal no-no.

Myrna

Irish

"festive; affection, endearment"

An anglicized spelling of Muirne, the name of the mother of Finn mac Cool in Irish legend, Myrna has a unique sound and two possible meanings, both of which are positive. Actress Myrna Loy was a…

Min

Chinese

"quick"

Puts the -min in diminutive.

Mildred

English

"gentle strength"

Is it clunky cute, strong and vintage, or dreadful and mildewy? Like Gertrude and Bertha, Mildred is one that divides the crowds, but with popular nickname Mildred and renewed interest in Winifred,…

Miri

Miri is a charming feminine name with diverse cultural roots. In Hebrew, it means 'bitter' or 'rebellion,' though it's often associated with Miriam. In Swahili, Miri suggests 'mystery,' while in…

Mimosa

Latin plant name

Adventurous parents are venturing deeper into the garden in search of fresh names, but remember that this also makes for an alcoholic brunch.

Minty

English diminutive of Aminta and Araminta, Greek

"defender"

Minty isn't a fresh word name — it's an old-fashioned nickname for Araminta, the romantic smoosh name coined by playwright William Congreve in 1693.

Maris

Latin

"of the sea"

Maris is an unusual and appealing name that has never appeared in the U.S. Top 1000, overshadowed by its twentieth century elaboration, Marisa/Marissa. It derives from the phrase "Stella Maris," star…

Mireille

French

"to admire"

A pretty name that may pose pronunciation problems for non-French speakers or those who've never encountered it, but it is worth the effort. Pronounced meer-AY (or closer to MEE-RAY in French), it…