Exploring Girl Names That Start With M
M ranked third among girls' first initials in the 2025 records shown here, behind A and E. Its names accounted for about 9% of the girls' births represented in the published data. The collection includes short choices such as Mia and Mae, alongside longer names such as Magnolia and Marceline.
The historical favorites show a different picture from today's popularity list. Mary, Margaret, Michelle, Melissa, and Maria lead this letter by total recorded births. More recent top-100 favorites include Millie, Maeve, and Melody.
If you enjoy names with familiar word associations, explore Meadow, Magnolia, and Melody. A landscape, a flower, or a musical connection may give you a personal reason to look more closely at a name.
Fun Facts About Girl Names Starting With M
- How popular is M? In 2025, 146,944 girls were recorded with names beginning with M - 9.14% of the published girls’ name records.
- Then and now: Girl names starting with M accounted for 11.43% of recorded girls' births from 1880 through 2025, compared with 9.14% in 2025.
- All-time favorites: Mary, Margaret, Michelle, Melissa, Maria lead this letter by total recorded births from 1880 through 2025.
- Moving up: Meilany, Myomi, Maylea, Macrina, Maricarmen gained the most ranking positions among M-names recorded in both 2024 and 2025.
- Lasting classics: Madison each had an uninterrupted run of at least 30 years in the U.S. top 100, still active in 2025.
- Rare finds: Mac, Mackie, Magic, Mais, Maise were each given to just 5-10 girls in 2025.
On this page:
Popular Girl Names That Start With M
These are the most popular girl names starting with M in 2025, ordered by their U.S. popularity rank.
Century-Long Favorite Girl Names That Start With M
These names stayed in the U.S. top 100 for at least 100 consecutive years - a full century of parents choosing them.
Longtime Favorite Girl Names Starting With M
These names held a place in the U.S. top 100 for 50–99 consecutive years, remaining favorites across generations.
Established Favorite Girl Names That Start With M
These names spent 30–49 consecutive years in the U.S. top 100, building a lasting place among familiar favorites.
Rising Favorite Girl Names Starting With M
These names are gaining ground. Their current top-100 run spans fewer than 30 years, and their popularity rank improved in 2025.
Falling Favorite Girl Names Starting With M
These girl names remain in the U.S. top 100, but rank lower than they did 30 years ago.
Recent Favorite Girl Names That Start With M
These names belong to a newer generation of favorites. Their first and only top-100 run spans fewer than 30 years and continues in 2025.
Revived Favorite Girl Names Starting With M
These names made a comeback. After leaving the U.S. top 100, they returned and hold a place there in 2025.
Past Favorite Girl Names That Start With M
These names had more than one run in the U.S. top 100, but none continues in 2025. Browse favorites from earlier generations.
Unique Girl Names That Start With M
Looking for something less common? Browse uncommon girl names starting with M for more ideas.
Short Girl Names That Start With M
Prefer fewer letters? These short girl names starting with M keep the spelling compact.
Long Girl Names That Start With M
Explore longer girl names starting with M, especially if you enjoy a full name with room for a nickname.
Choosing Your Favorite Girl Name Starting With M
The "Mad" names offer several forms to compare. Look at Madeline, Madeleine, Madelyn, and Madilyn, paying attention to your preferred pronunciation as well as spelling. Each form has its own entry and popularity record.
If you like Margaret, consider whether you would also enjoy Maggie. You might prefer the full name with a shorter everyday option, or choose Maggie itself. Similarly, think about whether Millie appeals on its own or whether you want to explore a longer name such as Mildred.
This collection also includes many joined names built around Mary and Maria. Compare choices such as Maryclaire, Maryelizabeth, and Mariaelena with writing their parts separately. Consider how you would say the name each day, which parts you want used together, and how the full combination fits with the last name.