Names beginning with M

Commonly interpreted as a rhetorical question, 'Who is like God?', implying no one compares to God.

From Greek Matthaios, from Hebrew Mattithiah, combining 'mattat' (gift) with 'Yahweh' — 'gift of God'. Matthew was a tax collector and one of the twelve apostles, traditionally credited as author of the first Gospel.

From the Roman name Martinus, connected to Mars, the Roman god of war. Widely known through Saint Martin of Tours, a 4th-century bishop and patron saint of France.

Praiseworthy, commendable.

A form of the Latin name Marcus used in several languages. Saint Mark authored the second Gospel and is patron saint of Venice.

Means 'bee' in Greek. Borne in mythology by a daughter of Procles and used as an epithet for various nymphs and priestesses; appears in Ludovico Ariosto's 1532 poem Orlando Furioso.

From Latin Margarita, from Greek 'margarites' meaning 'pearl' — likely originally borrowed from an Indo-Iranian language. Associated with Saint Margaret, a 4th-century martyr and patron saint of expectant mothers.

Directly a diminutive of Maria.

The Latin form of Greek Maria, from Hebrew Miryam (see Mary).

A Welsh diminutive of Margaret that became independently used; only regularly used outside Wales since the mid-20th century.

Precise meaning uncertain — most likely of Berber or Phoenician origin; since the Middle Ages popularly associated with Latin 'moneo' ('to advise') and Greek 'monos' ('one, single'). Borne by the 4th-century North African saint who was mother of Saint Augustine.

Directly 'great' or 'mighty' in Latin.

Originally an occupational surname/vocabulary word meaning 'stoneworker', later adopted as a given name. The deeper root of the word itself is disputed among etymologists — a Germanic (Frankish) origin versus an alternative Medieval Latin source.

Commonly interpreted as 'gracious, dear', from the Slavic element milu. Originally used as a short form of longer names containing that element before becoming an independent given name.

A diminutive of longer names like Mildred and Millicent, connecting to the broader family of names with the 'mil' element (including Camilla and Aemilia).