$Unique_ID{PAR00354} $Font{NP} $Pretitle{} $Title{Names for Boys: M} $Subtitle{} $Author{ Editors of Consumer Guide Harder, Kelsey} $Subject{Names Boys M} $Log{} The Ultimate Baby Name Book Names for Boys: M Mac Scottish "son of"; also, a variation of Maximilian or McCullough. Mac is a prefix that corresponds to the suffixes -son and -sen; all mean "son of." Mac is a nickname for names that begin with Mac or Mc, and it also has become an independent name. Other spelling: Mack Macaliano (see Michael) Mace (see Mason) Macisimi (see Maximilian) Mack (see Mac, Maximilian, McCullough) MacKeefry (see Keefe) MacKeighry (see Keefe) Maddy (see Madison) Madison Possibly Old English mahhild-son, "son of a great soldier." James Madison, the fourth president of the United States, is the source of this name. He was president during the War of 1812, and along with John Hay and Alexander Hamilton, Madison was the author of the Federalist Papers. Famous name: Madison Jones (novelist) Nicknames: Maddy, Mattie, Matty, Sonnie, Sonny Mahlon Hebrew "illness." In the Bible, Mahlon was the eldest son of Elimelech and Naomi, and the husband of Ruth. The name began to appear in the seventeenth century under the influence of the Puritans and still is used occasionally. Famous name: Mahlon Pitney (U.S. Supreme Court justice) Nicknames: Lon, Lonnie, Lonny Variation: Malon Maik (see Michael) Mal (see Malcolm) Malcolm Gaelic maol-Columb, "servant of Columb," from Latin columbia, "dove." This was the name of four Scottish kings. In Shakespeare's play Macbeth, Malcolm III joined with Macduff to defeat Macbeth. Malcolm has never been an especially popular name in the United States, but recently Black-American parents have chosen it to honor slain civil rights leader Malcolm X. Famous names: Malcolm Cowley (editor) Malcolm Forbes (publisher) Malcolm-Jamal Warner (actor) Nickname: Mal Malon (see Mahlon) Mancho (see Romeo) Manny (see Sherman) Mansah Ewe (Ghana) "third son." Manuel Spanish form of Emanuel. Famous name: Manuel da Falla (composer) Maolmuire (see Maurice) Marc Form of Mark. Famous names: Marc Blitzstein (composer) Marc Chagall (painter) March (see Mark) Marcial (see Mark) Marcius (see Mark) Marco (see Mark) Marcos (see Mark) Marcus (see Mark) Marek (see Mark) Marin Latin marinus, "sailor." Since sailing is becoming a popular pastime, this name may be back in style very soon. Variation: Maron Mario Masculine form of Mary; also, a form of Martin. Famous name: Mario Cuomo (politician) Mark Latin Marcus, a Roman family name probably derived from Mars, god of war. Marcus Antonius and Marcus Brutus had opposite opinions about Julius Caesar. The Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius was a Stoic philosopher, as well as a savage persecutor of Christians. St. Mark is the author of the second Gospel. In Venice, home of St. Mark's Cathedral, the name has enduring popularity. Venetian Marco Polo explored the Far East in the thirteenth century and brought home spaghetti and gunpowder. But when writer Samuel Clemens was looking for a pen name, he found inspiration not in these historical Marks but in an expression of Mississippi boatmen. "Mark Twain" is the minimum safe depth of two fathoms. Famous names: Mark Rothko (painter) Mark Spitz (swimmer) Mark Van Doren (editor and poet) Variations: Marc (French), March, Marcial, Marcius, Marco (Italian), Marcos (Spanish), Marcus, Marek (Polish), Markos (Greek), Markus (Danish, Dutch, German, and Swedish), Marquitos, Marr, Marsilio, Martin, Martino, Mertin Markos (see Mark) Markus (see Mark) Maron (see Marin) Marquitos (see Mark) Marr (see Mark) Marsh (see Marshall) Marshal (see Marshall) Marshall Old French marshal, "horse groom" and later "a leader of men." The military sound of this name has made it unpopular today, but in the 1940s and 1950s it was more common, as were such names as Colonel and Sargent. Famous names: Marshall Field (merchant) Marshall McLuhan (writer) Other spelling: Marshal Nickname: Marsh Marsilio (see Mark) Mart (see Martin) Martainn (see Martin) Marten (see Martin) Martie (see Martin) Martijn (see Martin) Martin Form of Mark. Among Roman Catholics, Martin was a popular name in the Middle Ages. Four popes took this name, perhaps in honor of the fourth-century St. Martin, the bishop of Tours and the patron saint of France. The name is revered by Protestants because of Martin Luther, who inspired the Reformation. Charles Dickens used the name for the title character of Martin Chuzzlewit. Famous names: Martin Buber (philosopher) Martin Luther King, Jr. (civil rights activist) Martin Short (comedian) Martin Van Buren (8th U.S. president) Other spellings: Marten, Marton Nicknames: Mart, Martie, Marty Variations: Mario (Italian), Martainn (Scottish), Martijn (Dutch), Martinicino, Martino (Italian and Spanish) Martinicino (see Martin) Martino (see Mark, Martin) Marton (see Martin) Marty Form of Martin. Parents who grew up watching the Mickey Mouse Club may remember the boy adventurers Spin and Marty. Famous name: Marty Robbins (singer) Marv, Marve (see Marvin) Marven (see Marvin) Marvin Old English Maerwine, "famous friend," from maer [famous] + wine [friend]; also, a variation of Irwin. Famous names: Marvin Gaye (musician) Marvin Hagler (boxer) Marvin Kaplan (actor) Other spelling: Marven Nickname: Marv Variations: Marve, Mervyn, Merwyn Masamo (see Maximilian) Mascimo (see Maximilian) Masial (see Maximilian) Mason Old French macon, "to make"; also, Old French masson, "a stonecutter." Famous name: Mason Adams (actor) Nicknames: Mace, Sonnie, Sonny Massey (see Thomas) Massimiliano (see Maximilian) Mat (see Matthew) Mata (see Matthew) Matejo (see Matthew) Mateo (see Matthew) Matheo (see Matthew) Mathias (see Matthew) Mathieu (see Matthew) Mats Swedish form of Matthew. Famous name: Mats Wilander (tennis player) Matt Form of Matthew. Actor James Arness played the imperturbable Western marshal Matt Dillon on the television series Gunsmoke. Famous name: Matt Dillon (actor) Matteo (see Matthew) Matthaeus (see Matthew) Matthaus (see Matthew) Mattheo (see Matthew) Matthes (see Matthew) Mattheus (see Matthew) Matthew Hebrew matisyahu, "gift of the Lord." St. Matthew, a former tax collector and one of the Twelve Apostles, was the author of the first Gospel. The name has enduring popularity in England and the United States. In the nineteenth century, Admiral Matthew Perry opened Japan to trade to the West. Today, this name is on the list of the 100 most-popular names for boys. Famous names: Matthew Arnold (poet) Mathew Brady (photographer) Matthew Broderick (actor) Nicknames: Mat, Matt, Mattie, Matty Variations: Mata (Scottish), Matejo, Mathias, Mathieu (French), Matthaeus (Danish), Matthaus (German), Matthes (German), Mattheus (Dutch and Swedish), Matthia (German), Mattias, Mateo (Spanish), Matheo, Mats (Swedish), Matteo (Italian), Mattheo, Mattieu, Matyas (Polish), Mayo Matthia (see Matthew) Mattias (see Matthew) Mattie, Matty (see Madison, Matthew) Mattieu (see Matthew) Matyas (see Matthew) Maur (see Maurice) Maureo (see Maurice) Maurice Greek Mauros, "a Moor." St. Moritz, the fashionable Swiss ski resort, is named for St. Maurice, a third-century martyr. Despite it being a fine, old English name, Maurice hasn't been popular for some time, which is probably why actor Michael Caine decided to take a stage name, rather than use his given name of Maurice. Famous names: Maurice Chevalier (entertainer) Maurice Ravel (composer) Maurice Sendak (illustrator) Nicknames: Maurie, Maury Variations: Maolmuire (Scottish), Maur, Maureo, Mauricio (Spanish), Maurits (Dutch), Maurizio (Italian), Mauro (Italian), Maurosio, Maursio, Meuriz, Moore, Morrel, Morrell, Morce, Morel, Morey, Moricz (Hungarian), Morie, Moritz (German), Moriz (Russian), Morrice (Scottish), Morrie, Morris, Morse Mauricio (see Maurice) Maurie (see Maurice) Maurits (see Maurice) Maurizio (see Maurice) Mauro (see Maurice) Maurosio (see Maurice) Maursio (see Maurice) Maury (see Maurice, Murray) Max Form of Maximilian. Celebrities often set trends, and since movie producer and director Steven Spielberg and his wife, actress Amy Irving, recently named their son Max, this name may become popular soon. Famous names: Max Beckmann (painter) Sir Max Beerbohm (writer) Max Ernst (painter) Max John Flack (baseball player) Max Lerner (columnist) Max von Sydow (actor) Max Weber (sociologist) Maxie (see Maximilian) Maxim, Mazime (see Maximilian) Maximilian Latin maximus, "the greatest." The Romans bestowed the title Maximus on their great warriors, which is apparently how the name developed. In France, Maximilien Robespierre was one of the leaders of the French revolution. A few decades later, Austrian Archduke Maximilian was quite popular at home, but the Mexicans did not appreciate his being given the title of Emperor of Mexico by Napoleon, and they executed him. Famous names: Maxim Gorki (short-story writer) Maximilian Schell (actor) Nicknames: Mac, Mack, Max, Maxie, Maxy Variations: Macisimi, Masamo (Italian), Mascimo, Masial, Massimiliano (Italian), Maxim (Russian), Maxime (French), Maximo (Spanish), Maximiliano (Spanish), Maximilianus (Dutch), Maximilien (French), Maximino, Maximus (Latin), Maxino, Maxio, Maxwell, Messimo Maximiliano (see Maximilian) Maximilianus (see Maximilian) Maximilien (see Maximilian) Maximino (see Maximilian) Maximo (see Maximilian) Maximus (see Maximilian) Maxino (see Maximilian) Maxio (see Maximilian) Maxwell (see Maximilian) Maxy (see Maximilian) Mayo (see Matthew) McCullagh (see McCullough) McCulloch, McCullock (see McCullough) McCullough Scottish "son of Cullach." This clan name is sometimes used as a given name. Famous name: Wilbur McCullough Fisher (baseball player) Nicknames: Cull, Cullie, Mac, Mack Variations: McCullagh, McCulloch, McCullock Mel Form of Melvin or Samuel. If Australian actor Mel Gibson becomes the Robert Redford of his generation, there's a chance that this name may become popular. Famous names: Mel Allen (sportscaster) Mel Brooks (producer) Melvin Old English from mael [council] + wine [friend] or mill [mill] + wine [friend]. Famous names: Melvin Belli (lawyer) Melvyn Douglas (actor) Other spelling: Melvyn Nicknames: Mel, Vinny Melvyn (see Melvin) Menz (see Clement) Merlin (see Irving) Merrill Gaelic "sea-bright." This name is related to the girl's name Muriel, and currently more girls than boys are named Merrill. As a masculine name, it is well known because of the brokerage house Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith. Famous names: Monford Merrill "Monte" Irvin (baseball player) Merrill Moore (psychiatrist and poet) Variation: Meryl Mertin (see Mark) Mervin (see Irving) Mervyn (see Marvin) Merwyn (see Marvin) Meryl (see Merrill, Myron) Messimo (see Maximilian) Meuriz (see Maurice) Mew (see Bartholomew) Micah (see Michael) Micalao (see Michael) Michael Hebrew "who is the Lord?" Since 1960, Michael has been the most-popular boys' name in the United States. The Archangel Michael led the great battle described in the Revelation of St. John the Divine. The name of the Italian painter Michelangelo refers to the archangel. Emperors of Constantinople, Rumanian kings, and the first Romanov tsar of Russia share this name, as does the Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes. The name also has been extremely popular in the Soviet Union in the form of Mikhail, with the pet name Mischa. Baryshnikov, the ballet dancer and choreographer, and Gorbachev, the secretary of the Politburo, are both named Mikhail. Famous names: Michael Bennett (choreographer) Michael Caine (actor) Michael Douglas (actor) Michael Dukakis (politician) Michael Redgrave (actor) Nicknames: Mike, Mickey, Mickie, Micky, Mischa Variations: Macaliano, Maik, Micah (Hebrew), Micalao, Michail (Russian), Micheil (Scottish), Michel (French), Michele (Italian), Michiel, Mickel, Mickella, Migael, Migel, Miguel (Spanish), Miguelito (Italian), Mikael (Swedish), Mikel (Swedish), Mikhael (Hebrew), Mikhail (Russian), Mischa (Russian), Misha (German), Mishael (Hebrew), Mishenka (Russian), Mitchell Michail (see Michael) Micheil (see Michael) Michel, Michele (see Michael) Michiel (see Michael) Mickel (see Michael) Mickella (see Michael) Mickey, Mickie, Form of Michael. This nickname for Michael may be best Micky known through Walt Disney's cartoon creation Mickey Mouse, but this association isn't exclusive, thanks to baseball player Mickey Mantle, writer Mickey Spillane, and actors Mickey Rooney and Mickey Rourke. Migael (see Michael) Migel (see Michael) Miguel (see Michael) Miguelito (see Michael) Mikael (see Michael) Mike Form of Michael. Famous names: Mike Marshall (baseball player) Mike Todd (film producer) Mike Tyson (boxer) Mikel (see Michael) Mikhael, Mikhail (see Michael) Mil (see Milton) Milan (see Miles) Miles Old German milo possibly from Slavic milu, "merciful," or Latin militatus, "soldier." Miles Standish was a leader in the founding of New England, but he is better known through Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem "The Courtship of Miles Standish." Famous name: Miles Davis (jazz trumpeter) Other spelling: Myles Variations: Milan, Mills, Milo (Italian), Milos (Italian) Milko (see Emil) Mills (see Miles) Milo (see Emil, Miles) Milos (see Miles) Milt (see Milton) Milton Old English "mill town." In the first decade of television, comedian Milton Berle made this name familiar, but Uncle Milty did nothing to increase the popularity of the name. Famous names: Milton Avery (artist) Milton Friedman (economist) Nicknames: Mil, Milt, Milty, Mull Milty (see Milton) Mincho (see Benjamin) Mingo (see Dominic) Mischa (see Michael) Misha (see Michael) Mishael (see Michael) Mishenka (see Michael) Mitch (see Mitchell) Mitchell Form of Michael. Famous name: Mitch Miller (band leader) Nickname: Mitch Moe (see Moses) Moijzesz (see Moses) Moise (see Moses) Moisei (see Moses) Moises, Moisis (see Moses) Mojzis (see Moses) Moke (see Moses) Monchi (see Moses) Moncho (see Simon) Monro (see Monroe) Monroe Gaelic Rothach, "man from Roe (a river in Ireland)." Surnames of presidents have often been used for first names. James Monroe was the fifth president of the United States. Other spellings: Monro, Munroe, Munrow Montagu (see Montgomery) Monte, Monty Form of Lamont or Montgomery. Famous names: Monty Hall (game-show host) Monte Markham (actor) Montgomery Form of Montague, a place name from Mont Aigu, France, which means "pointed hill." Drogo de Montacute brought the name to England in 1066. Famous names: Montgomery Clift (actor) Montgomery Ward (merchant) Nicknames: Monte, Monty, Gomer Variation: Montagu Moore (see Maurice) Morce (see Maurice) Morel (see Maurice) Morey (see Maurice) Morgan Welsh "from the sea" or "by the sea." Moricz (see Maurice) Morie (see Maurice) Moritz (see Maurice) Moriz (see Maurice) Morley Old English, "marsh meadow." Morley has a long tradition as a name in England. It was in use there before the Norman Invasion. Since it was not an aristocratic name (one held by the Norman nobility), it did not become popular until the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, when many authors, statesmen, and artists were named Morley. Queen Anne of England used the pseudonym Mrs. Morley. Famous name: Morley Safer (journalist) Nickname: Lee Morrel, Morrell (see Maurice) Morrice (see Maurice) Morrie (see Maurice, Seymour) Morris Form of Maurice or Seymour. This name has never been popular in the United States, and now that a cat-food company has made it famous as the name of a cat, it seems unlikely that many parents, with the possible exception of feline fanatics, will choose this name for their sons. Famous name: Morris Fishbein (physician and editor) Morrison Form of Morris. Famous name: Morrison Remick Waite (U.S. Supreme Court chief justice) Morse (see Maurice) Mort Form of Mortimer or Morton. Famous name: Mort Sahl (comedian) Mortie (see Mortimer) Mortimer French place name Mortemer in Normandy, which may mean "from the dead sea." Famous name: Mortimer Adler (philosopher and educator) Nicknames: Mort, Mortie Morton Old English "marsh town." Famous name: Morton Downey, Jr. (talk-show host) Nickname: Mort Morven (see Irving) Mose (see Moses) Moses Hebrew "saved"; also, possibly Egyptian "child." As an infant, Moses was taken from the water of the Nile River. Since no record of the meaning of this name exists, the event itself has become its meaning. In the Old Testament, Moses was the law giver of the Israelites and led them to the promised land, which he could not enter. He died after having viewed it. This name was used by Jews throughout the Middle Ages. In the seventeenth century, the Puritans made it popular. But in the late-nineteenth century, it began to fall into disuse along with other Puritan names. A revival of these names is taking place currently. Famous names: Moses Austin (Texas pioneer) Moses Cleaveland (founder of Cleveland) Moshe Dayan (defense minister of Israel) Moses Malone (basketball player) Nicknames: Moe, Moke, Mose, Moshe, Mosie, Moss Variations: Moijzesz (Polish and Russian), Moise (French and Italian), Moisei (Bulgarian), Moises (Spanish), Moisis (Greek), Mojzis (Slovakian), Monchi (Spanish), Mosheh (Ukrainian), Moy, Moyes, Moze (Lithuanian), Mozes (Dutch and Hungarian) Moshe (see Moses) Mosheh (see Moses) Mosie (see Moses) Moss Form of Moses. Famous name: Moss Hart (playwright) Moy (see Moses) Moyes (see Moses) Moze (see Moses) Mozes (see Moses) Mull (see Milton) Mundek (see Edmond) Mundy (see Edmond) Munroe, Munrow (see Monroe) Murray Form of Maurice; also, Celtic "sea man" and a Scottish clan name. Famous name: F. Murray Abraham (actor) Other spellings: Maury, Murry Murry (see Murray) Myles (see Miles) Myra (see Myron) Myreon (see Myron) Myron Greek "perfumed." Variations: Meryl, Myra, Myreon