Submitted Names Starting with M

gender
usage
Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Mây f & m Vietnamese
Means "cloud" in Vietnamese.
May f Arabic
Means "water" in Libyan Arabic.
May f Vietnamese (Rare)
Means "lucky" in Vietnamese
May f & m Hebrew (Modern)
Popular name in Israel (mostly for girls), it is came from the name of the month of May (the fifth).... [more]
May f Burmese
From a term of endearment meaning "mother", wife" or "maiden, girl" in Burmese.
May f Filipino
Diminutive of Guillerma, Felicisima and similar names.
Maya f Arabic
Means "water" in Arabic.
Maya f Bulgarian
Bulgarian variant of Maja 2.
Maya f & m Japanese
Combination of a ma kanji, like 麻 meaning "hemp, flax," 真/眞 meaning "pure, true," 磨/摩 meaning "polish, shine," 茉, part of 茉莉 (matsuri), referring to the Arabian jasmine, 舞 meaning "dance" or 万 meaning "ten thousand," and a ya kanji, such as 耶, 弥 meaning "increase," 矢 meaning "arrow," 也, 野 meaning "field" or 椰, referring to the (coconut) palm... [more]
Maya m Nahuatl
Possibly a variant of Mayatl.
Maya f Chinese
Combination of Ma and Ya.
Maya f Tupi, Portuguese (Brazilian)
Derived from Tupi maya "mother".
Maya f English
Latinate form of May.
Maya m Shipibo-Conibo
From the Shipibo mayat- meaning "turn, spin".
Mayabibi f Turkmen, Uzbek (Rare, ?)
Derived from Turkmen maya meaning "female camel" and Persian بی‌بی‎ (bibi) meaning "lady".
Mayah f Indian, English
Variant of Maya 1.
Mayah f Hebrew
means "Close to God"
Mayahuel f Aztec and Toltec Mythology, Spanish (Mexican, Rare), American (Hispanic, Rare)
Possibly means "that which surrounds the maguey plant" in Nahuatl, from ‘metl meaning "maguey (species Agave americana)" and yahualli "round". In Aztec religion this was the name of a goddess who personified the maguey plant.
Mayahuini m Nahuatl
Means "overthrower" or "fighter, soldier" in Nahuatl, derived from mayahui "to throw, to hurl down".
Mayaka f Japanese (Rare)
This name can be used as 真弥香, 真弥華, 真也香, 真矢香, 麻弥香, 麻耶香, 麻也加, 麻也香, 万夜花 or 摩耶花 with 真 (shin, ma, ma-, makoto) meaning "Buddhist sect, reality, true," 麻 (ma, maa, asa) meaning "hemp, flax, numb," 万 (ban, man, yorozu, ma) meaning "ten thousand/10,000," 摩 (ma, sa.suru, su.ru, ma.suru) meaning "chafe, grind, polish, rub, scrape," 弥 (bi, mi, amaneshi, iya, iyoiyo, tooi, hisashi, hisa.shii, ya, wata.ru) meaning "all the more, increasingly," 也 (e, ya, ka, nari, mata) meaning "to be (archaic form)," 矢 (shi, ya) meaning "arrow, dart," 夜 (ya, yo, yoru) meaning "evening, night," 耶 (ja, ya, ka) meaning "question mark," 香 (kyou, kou, ka, kao.ri, kao.ru) meaning "incense, perfume, smell," 華 (ka, ke, hana) meaning "flower, gay, gorgeous, luster, ostentatious, petal, shine, showy, splendour," 加 (ka, kuwa.eru, kuwa.waru) meaning "add(ition), Canada, include, increase, join" or 花 (ka, ke, hana) meaning "flower."... [more]
Mayako f Japanese
From Maya combined with 子 (ko) meaning "child."
Mayalen f Nahuatl, Mexican
Alteration of the name Mayahuel is the female divinity associated with the maguey plant among cultures of central Mexico in the Postclassic era of pre-Columbian Mesoamerican chronology, and in particular of the Aztec cultures... [more]
Mayalène f French (Modern, Rare)
Of debated origin and meaning. Theories include a Gallicized form of Maialen (compare Maïalène).
Mayaleth f Spanish (Latin American, Rare)
Hispanic variant of Maeleth influenced by Maya 2.
Mayali f Hebrew (Modern)
Combination of the names Maya 3 and Li 2 meaning "my water".
Mayan f & m Hebrew
Variant transcription of Maayan.
Mayane f Walloon
Walloon form of Marianne.
Mayangi m & f Kongo (Modern)
Means "joy; happiness" in Kongo.
Mayank m Indian
Mayank means "Moon". Its a Hindi word and used as a first name in India.... [more]
Mayankh m Indian
moon light
Mayann f English (Rare)
Combination of May and Ann.
Mayanna f English (Rare)
Combination of May or Maya 2 and Anna.
Mayano f Japanese
From Japanese 麻 (ma) meaning "hemp, flax, linen", 矢 (ya) meaning "arrow" combined with 乃 (no), a possessive particle. Other combinations of kanji characters can also form this name.
Mayār m Balochi
Means "under the protection (of God)" in Balochi.
Mayari f & m Philippine Mythology
Etymology uncertain, possibly from Tagalog mayari meaning "to make, to finish" or may-ari meaning "owner, master". In Tagalog mythology, as well as the mythologies of other Philippine ethnic groups, Mayari is a deity of the moon, night, war, revolution, equality, and strength... [more]
Mayat f Filipino
Used as a term of indearment in the filipino language. Means "beautiful"
Mayatl m Nahuatl
Means "figeater beetle" in Nahuatl.
Mayauel f American (Hispanic, Rare), Spanish (Mexican, Rare)
Variant of Mayahuel. This is borne by a (male) glass artist from California, United States: Mayauel Ward (1956-).
Mayawati f Gujarati
Meaning "Full of Illusion".
Maybel f English
Variant of Mabel.
Maybell f English
Variant of Mabel.
Maybellene f Popular Culture (Rare)
Variant of Maybelline, used by Chuck Berry in his 1955 song by this name.
Maybeth f English (Modern)
Combination of May and Beth. A famous bearer of this name is American actress Maybeth Carr (Born: May 4, 1912, Died: December 27, 1996).
Mayblossom f English
Directly taken from the English word mayblossom for the crataegus monogyna, a flower that is also known as maythorn, common hawthorn or quickthorn. This was the name of a princess in Andrew Lang's "Red Fairy Book".
Maycock m Medieval English
Middle English diminutive of Matthew, being a diminutive of May, itself a short form of Mayhewe (Old French Mahieu) which was an Anglo-French form of Matthew.
Maydean f English
"Combination of May and Dean"... [more]
Mayden f & m English (American, Rare), Filipino (Rare)
Combination of May or Mason and the -den suffix found in names such as Hayden... [more]
Maydin f Judeo-Anglo-Norman
Derived from Middle English mayde, itself an apocope of maydene, "maiden, young woman".
Maye f English
Variant of May.
Mayecuel m Nahuatl
Means "let’s go" or "come on" in Nahuatl, an expression of encouragement.
Mayel m & f Persian, Afghan
Means "toward, inclined, willing" in Persian.
Mayela f Kongo
Intelligent
Mayella f American (Rare), Literature
Possibly a variant of Majella or a combination of May and Ella 1... [more]
Mayen m Dinka
Means a specific kind of ox in Dinka language.
Mayer m Hebrew
Variant of Meyer.
Mayet f Ancient Egyptian
Means "the cat" in Ancient Egyptian.
Mayetenaten f Ancient Egyptian
From Egyptian name Mayet meaning "The cat", and "Etamun" meaning "of Aten". Aten was the sun in the Egyptian myths. As such, this name could be translated to mean "The cat of the Sun".
Mayeul m French, History (Ecclesiastical)
Of debated origin and meaning. Theories include a derivation from Latin maius "the month of may" and a diminutive of Germanic names containing the element mag, a variant of megin meaning "strength"... [more]
Mayfair f & m English
Transferred use of the surname Mayfair.
Mayga f Indian, Hinduism
Variant of Indian Hindu name Megha. Means "cloud," "rain cloud," "rain," or "star" in Sanskrit.
Maygaag m Somali
Means "bath" in Somali.
Maygha f Indian, Hinduism
Variant of Indian Hindu name Megha. Means "cloud," "rain cloud," "rain," or "star" in Sanskrit.
Maygol f Persian
A Persian name for a girl that means "A beautiful flower that when it blooms smells like a sweet red wine"
Maygreth f Swedish
Variant of Majgret.
Maygul f Uzbek
Derived from may meaning "wine" and gul meaning "rose, flower".
Mayhew m English
Transferred use of the surname Mayhew.
Mayia f Greek
Variant transcription of Magia, a feminine form of Magos.
Mayibongwe f Ndebele
Means "give thanks" in Ndebele.
Mayibongwinkosi m Ndebele
Means "give thanks to the Lord" in Ndebele.
Mayibuye m & f Ndebele
Means "let it come" in Ndebele.
Mayihlome m & f Ndebele
Means "let's take up arms" in Ndebele.
Mayim f Hebrew (Rare), Jewish (Rare)
From the Hebrew word מַיִם (máyim) meaning "water". In the case of Jewish-American actress Mayim Bialik (1975-), the name originated from a mispronunciation of the name Miriam (the name of her great-grandmother).
Mayin f Uzbek
Means "soft, smooth" in Uzbek.
Mayincha f Uzbek
Derived from Uzbek mayin meaning "soft, smooth".
Mayingi f & m Kongo
Nicknamed: Yingi
Mayiri m & f Aymara
Means "one who asks" in Aymara.
Mayis m & f Armenian, Azerbaijani
Means "May (the month)" in Armenian.
Mayito m Spanish
Diminutive of Mario.
Mayja f Aymara
Means "different, distinct" in Aymara.
Mayjo f Spanish
Variant of Maijo.
Mayk m Armenian
Armenian short form of Michael.
Mayka f Spanish
Variant of Maica.
Mayke f Limburgish
Limburgish diminutive form of May; see also Maike and Maaike.
Maykina f Medieval English
Feminization of Maykinus, itself a diminutive of Matthew. Essentially a female diminutive of Matthew.
Maykinus m Medieval English
Latinized form of the Middle English name Maykin, which was a diminutive of Matthew (formed of May - itself a short form of Mayhewe (Old French Mahieu) which in turn was an Anglo-French form of Matthew - and the diminutive suffix -kin).
Maykl m Russian
Variant transcription of Mikhail.
Mayl m Manx
Manx form of Michael.
Mayle f & m American (Rare)
Transferred use of the surname Mayle.
Maylea f Various
Most likely a newly invented name, combining May with Lea.
Maylech m Yiddish
Yiddish short form of Elimelech.
Maylee f English (Modern)
An invented name, using the popular aylee suffix sound found in such names as Kaylee, Hayley and Bailey... [more]
Mayleigh f English
Combination of May and the popular suffix leigh.
Maylen f Norwegian, Swedish (Rare)
Combination of Maj 2 and Lene.
Maylene f English (Rare)
Combination of May and the suffix lene.
Maylill f Swedish
Variant of Majlill.
Maylin f Chinese
Beautiful jade
Mayline f English
Variant of Maylene.
Maylinn f Norwegian
Combination of May (see Maj 2) and Linn.
Maylinor f Uzbek
Derived from Uzbek mayli meaning "fine, well" and nor which can mean "camel", "birthmark", "pomegranate" or "fire".
Maylon m English (Rare)
Transferred use of the surname Maylon. Alternatively this could be a variant of Mahlon or an invented name modelled on names such as Waylon, Braylon, Jaylon and Daylon.
Maylona f Welsh (Rare)
Variant of Maelona.
Maylu f Pakistani
Maylu in Pushtu dialect (from Pakistan) means "Bear".
Maylyn f English (Modern, Rare)
A combination of May and Lyn.
Maylynn f English (Rare)
A combination of May and Lynn.
Maymay f Filipino, Tagalog, Cebuano
Diminutive of Mary and May.
Maymun m Medieval Arabic (Moorish)
Means "blessed, thriving, prosperous" in Arabic.
Maymuna f Arabic, Bengali
Alternate transcription of Maimuna.
Maymunat f Chechen
Chechen form of Maimuna.
Maynor f Swedish
Variant of Majnor.
Mayo f Japanese
From Japanese 雅 (ma) meaning "elegant" combined with 世 (yo) meaning "world". Other kanji combinations are possible.... [more]
Mayo m English
Transferred use of the surname Mayo.
Mayo m Spanish (Rare), Asturian (Rare)
Either a diminutive of Amalio or taken from the Spanish word for the month of May, mayo.
Mayoi f Japanese
mayoi can be formed with the first kanji as 真(ma) meaning "truth",目(ma,me) meaning "eye",増(ma) meaning "increase" and the second kanji as 宵(yoi) meaning "night",誼(yoi) meaning "friendship" and 俶 (yoi) meaning "friendship"... [more]
Mayom m Dinka
A specific kind of ox in Dinka language.
Mayon f Walloon
Diminutive of Mareye and thus a cognate of Marion 1.
Mayonne f Dutch (Rare)
Meaning uncertain. It might possibly be a variant of Mayon. Also compare Maryon.
Mayoor m Kashmiri
Means "beautiful peacock".
Mayoriano m Spanish
Spanish form of Majorian.
Mayowa m & f African
Some sources say this name means "one who brings joy".... [more]
Mayra f Mari, Khakas
Mari and variant Khakas form of Maria.
Mayra f Tupi, Brazilian
Variant of Maíra.
Mayranush f Armenian
Literally means "sweet mother" in Armenian. It consists of the Armenian words մայր (mayr) meaning "mother" and անուշ (anush) meaning "sweet" as well as "pleasant, agreeable" (see Anush).
Mayre f Literature
Possibly a variant of Mary or Marie influenced by May. This name was created by L. Frank Baum for the character Mayre "Trot" Griffiths, a character appearing in several of his Oz books.
Mayrín f Spanish (Mexican, Rare, ?)
Possibly an elaborated form of Mayra. This is borne by Mexican actress Mayrín Villanueva (1970-).
Mayrita f Spanish
Diminutive of Mayra.
Mayrkhan m Chechen (Rare)
Derived from Chechen майра (mayra) meaning "husband, brave man" combined with the Turkic title khan meaning "leader, ruler".
Mayron m French (Modern), French (Belgian, Modern)
Of debated origin and meaning. Theories include a variant of Myron.
Mayrona f Judeo-Catalan (Archaic), Medieval Jewish
Catalan feminine diminutive of Meir.
Maÿroumfa m Songhai, Western African
Meaning unknown. It was the name of an Askia dynasty member of the Dendi Kingdom straddling what are now Benin and Niger.
Mayrsolt m Chechen
Derived from Chechen майра (mayra) meaning "husband, brave man" combined with a short form of the Arabic title سُلْطَان (sulṭān) "Sultan, king, ruler".
Mays f Arabic (Egyptian)
Derived from Arabic مَيْس (mays) "nettle tree, hackberry".
Maýsa f Turkmen
From Turkmen maýsa meaning "field, greenery, sprouts".
Maysa f Portuguese (Brazilian)
Variant of Maísa. Maysa Matarazzo (1936 – 1977) was a Brazilian singer-songwriter, performer and actress. She is also associated with Bossa nova music but is widely known as a torch song (fossa) interpreter.
Maysa f Arabic
Variant of Mayssa. This name is borne by American contemporary jazz singer Maysa Leak, better known by her stage name Maysa.
Maysa f Old Swedish
Variant of Majsa.
Maysa f Uzbek
Means "sprouts, fresh growth of plants" in Uzbek.
Maysabibi f Uzbek
Derived from maysa meaning "sprouts, fresh growth of plants" and bibi meaning "learned woman".
Maysago'zal f Uzbek
Derived from maysa meaning "sprouts, fresh growth of plants" and go'zal meaning "beautiful".
Maysagul f Uzbek
Derived from Uzbek maysa meaning "sprouts, fresh growth of plants" and gul meaning "rose, flower".
Maysajamol f Uzbek
Derived from Uzbek maysa meaning "sprouts, fresh growth of plants" and jamol meaning "beauty".
Maysant f Medieval English, Anglo-Norman
Medieval English form of Maissent which was an Old French form of a Germanic name, either Mathaswintha or *Magisind, *Megisend (derived from *mageną "power" and *swinþs "strong" or *sinþ- "journey").
Maysarat f Dagestani
Dagestani form of Maysa.
Maysatoj f Uzbek
Derived from Uzbek maysa meaning "sprouts, fresh growth of plants" and toj meaning "crown".
Mayshakar f Uzbek
Derived from may meaning "wine" and shakar meaning "sugar, candy, sweet(s)".
Maysie f English
Variant of Maisie.
Maysilee f Literature
Name of one of the contestants of District 12 in the world of Suzanne Collins' novel "The Hunger Games". It can be seen as a combination of Maisie and Lee.
Maysun f Medieval Arabic, Arabic (Rare)
Variant transliteration of ميسون (see Maysoon).
Maysyn f English (Modern)
Feminine form of Mason.
Mayta f Hebrew
Variant of Maytal.
Mayua f Japanese
From Japanese 真 (ma) meaning "true, reality", 由 (yu) meaning "cause, reason" combined with 亜 (a) meaning "second, Asia". Other kanji combinations are possible.
Mayubi f Japanese
Derived from Teri Ann. Made with Mayu and Yubi.
Mayue f Japanese
From Japanese 馬 (ma) meaning "horse", 由 (yu) meaning "cause, reason" or 眉 (mayu) meaning "eyebrow" or 繭 (mayu) meaning "a cocoon" combined with 江 (e) meaning "creek, bay", 依 (e) meaning "rely on, be set in", 衣 (e) meaning "clothing" or 恵 (e) meaning "favour, benefit"... [more]
Mayuha f Japanese
From Japanese 万 (ma) meaning "very many", 夢 (yu) meaning "dream", 唯 (yu) meaning "ordinary, usual", 由 (yu) meaning "cause, reason" or 繭 (mayu) meaning "a cocoon" combined with 羽 (ha) meaning "feathers", 菜 (ha) meaning "vegetables, greens" or 葉 (ha) meaning "leaf"... [more]
Mayuhime f Japanese
From Japanese 真 (ma) meaning "real, genuine", 夕 (yu) meaning "evening" combined with 姫 (hime) meaning "princess". Other kanji combinations are also possible.
Mayuho f Japanese
From Japanese 真 (ma) meaning "true", 由 (yu) meaning "cause, reason" combined with 帆 (ho) meaning "steps". Other kanji combinations are possible.
Mayukh m Bengali, Assamese, Hindi
Meaning "Ray of Light".
Mayukha f Hinduism
Means light in Hinduism.
Mayukhi f Sanskrit
Means “peocock”.
Mayukhmita f Bengali (Hindu)
Mayukh-Light... [more]
Mayuko f Japanese
From Japanese 真 (ma) meaning "real, genuine" combined with 悠 (yu) meaning "leisurely" and 子 (ko) meaning "child". Other kanji combinations are possible.... [more]
Mayuna f Japanese
From Japanese 雅 (ma) meaning "elegant", 唯 (yu) meaning "just, only, simply" combined with 那 (na) meaning "what". Other kanji combinations are possible.
Mayune f Japanese
From Japanese 真 (ma) meaning "true, reality", 優 (yu) meaning "kind" combined with 音 (ne) meaning "sound". Other kanji combinations are possible.
Mayuno f Japanese
From Japanese 真 (ma) meaning "true, reality", 結 (yu) meaning "tie, fasten, join, organize" combined with 乃, a possessive particle. Other combinations of kanji characters can also form this name.
Mayuo m & f Japanese
From Japanese 真 (ma) meaning "real, genuine", 由 (yu) meaning "cause, reason" or 眉 (mayu) meaning "eyebrow" combined with 男 (o) meaning "male" (usually masculine) or 緒 (o) meaning "thread"... [more]
Mayura f & m Indian, Marathi, Kannada, Thai, Sinhalese
Feminine form of Mayur as well as a masculine alternate transcription. It is used as a unisex name in India, a feminine name in Thailand and a masculine name in Sri Lanka.
Mayura f Japanese
From Japanese 真 (ma) meaning "true, reality", 弓 (yu) meaning "archery bow" combined with 良 (ra) meaning "good". Other kanji or kanji combinations are also possible.
Mayuree f Indian, Marathi, Thai
Alternate transcription of Mayuri.
Mayuri f Indian, Marathi, Thai
Means "peahen (female peacock)" in Sanskrit.
Mayuri f Japanese
From Japanese 真 (ma) meaning "real, genuine", 結 (yu) meaning "tie, fasten, join, organize" combined with 里 (ri) meaning "village". Other combinations of kanji can form this name as well.
Mayurika f Hindi
Means "Baby Peahen,Peacock Feathers" in Hindi.
Mayusa f Japanese
From Japanese 真 (ma) meaning "true, reality", 由 (yu) meaning "reason, cause" combined with 紗 (sa) meaning "gauze, thin silk". Other combinations of kanji characters can also form this name.
Mayuu f & m Japanese
From Japanese 真 (ma) meaning "real, genuine" combined with 優 (yuu) meaning "gentleness, lithe, superior", 友 (yuu) meaning "friend", 有 (yuu) meaning "exist", 由 (yuu) meaning "cause, reason", 裕 (yuu) meaning "abundant, rich, plentiful", 邑 (yuu) meaning "state; country; nation", 夕 (yuu) meaning "evening" or 侑 (yuu) meaning "help, assist, repay kindness"... [more]
Mayuuko f Japanese
From Japanese 麻 (ma) meaning "flax", 祐 (yuu) meaning "divine intervention, protection" combined with 子 (ko) meaning "child". Other kanji combinations are possible.
Mayuyo f Japanese
From Japanese 繭 (mayu) meaning "cocoon" combined with 代 (yo) meaning "generation". Other combinations of kanji characters can also form this name.
Mayven f English
Variant of Maven incorporating the name May.
Maywa f Aymara
Means "poppy" in Aymara.
Maywen f Medieval English
Old English name of uncertain meaning. Possibly derived from the name Mægwynn, which is comprised of two elements: mæg and wynn. The first element mæg may be from the Old English mægden meaning "maiden" or "kinsman" (compare Isemay, Rícmæg and Sedemai) or from the Germanic element magan meaning "mighty, strong"... [more]
Mayzelle f American (South, Rare, Archaic)
Possibly a variant of Mizela (see also Mozelle), perhaps influenced by Maisie.
Mayzilol f Uzbek
Derived from may meaning "wine" and zilol meaning "crystal clear, unclouded".
Mazaar m Balochi
Meaning "Tiger" in Balochi.
Mazaihuitl m Nahuatl
Derived from Nahuatl mazatl "deer" and ihuitl "feathers, down".
Mazaiyari f & m Huichol (Rare)
Means 'deer heart' in Huichol from words maza meaning "deer" and iyari meaning "heart".
Mazal f & m Hebrew, Judeo-Spanish
Means "luck" in Hebrew.
Mazaline f Nigerian
Of African origin meaning "the luxurious.”
Mazalit f Hebrew
Strictly feminine form of Mazal.
Mazalta f Jewish, Judeo-Provençal (Rare), Judeo-Spanish
Most likely derived from the Hebrew expression mazal tov "good fortune".
Mazal-tob m & f Hebrew
Possible variation of mazel-tov, meaning "good luck; congratulations."
Mazaltov f Jewish, Judeo-Spanish
Elaborated form of Mazal
Mazaltuf f Judeo-Arabic (Archaic), Medieval Jewish
From the Hebrew/Yiddish phrase mazel tov, meaning "good luck".
Mazania f Mordvin
"beauty."
Mazanya f Mordvin
Means "beauty" in Erzya.
Mazār m Balochi
Means "tiger" in Balochi.
Mazarine f French (Rare)
Usage of this still relatively new French given name first started with Mazarine Pingeot (b. 1974), the illegitimate daughter of former French president François Mitterrand (1916-1996) and his mistress Anne Pingeot (b... [more]
Mazatl m Nahuatl, Mexican (Rare)
From Nahuatl mazatl meaning "deer", the seventh day-sign of the tonalpohualli. This was the name of a cacique or leader of the Nahuas of Papayeca, active during the Spanish conquest of what is now Honduras.
Mazatoch m Nahuatl
Means "deer-like rabbit" in Nahuatl.
Mazatzin m Nahuatl
Variant of Mazatl, combining the honorific or diminutive suffix -tzin.
Mazava f Mordvin
Means "beautiful woman" in Erzya.
Mazdak m Persian, Persian Mythology
Mazdak is a name derived from the Zorastrian religion. Aura Mazda was the Fire God, I believe. Mazdak is a great mythological name and is used today in the Farsi language by the Persians/Iranians. It is a name with thousands of years of history.
Maze m Breton
Variant of Mazhe.
Mazé f Portuguese
Diminutive of Maria Jose.
Mazel f Yiddish
In Hebrew, the word is generally transliterated as mazal, and literally refers to a "star" or "planet in the night sky" or "zodiac constellation." It came to mean "lucky" in medieval times due to the widespread belief in astrology and that the planets and constellations can influence one's fate.