MAYU f JapaneseFrom Japanese
真 (ma) meaning "real, genuine" or
満 (ma) meaning "full" combined with
優 (yu) meaning "excellence, superiority, gentleness" or
夕 (yu) meaning "evening". This name can also be constructed from other kanji combinations.
MCKINLEY f & m EnglishFrom a surname, the Gaelic form of which is
Mac Fhionnlaigh meaning "son of
FIONNLAGH". A famous bearer was the assassinated American president William McKinley (1843-1901).
MEADE m & f English (Rare)From an English surname that indicated one who lived on a meadow (from Middle English
mede) or one who sold or made mead (an alcoholic drink made from fermented honey; from Old English
meodu).
MEDAD m BiblicalMeans "love" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament Medad is one of the elders who prophesizes in the camp of the Israelites after the flight from Egypt.
MEDEA f Greek Mythology (Latinized), GeorgianFrom Greek
Μηδεια (Medeia), possibly derived from
μηδομαι (medomai) "to think, to plan". In Greek mythology Medea was a sorceress from Colchis (modern Georgia) who helped
Jason gain the Golden Fleece. They were married, but eventually Jason left her for another woman. For revenge Medea slew Jason's new lover and also had her own children by Jason killed.
MEDUSA f Greek Mythology (Latinized)From the Greek
Μεδουσα (Medousa), which was derived from
μεδω (medo) meaning "to protect, to rule over". In Greek myth this was the name of one of the three Gorgons, ugly women who had snakes for hair. She was so hideous that anyone who gazed upon her was turned to stone, so the hero
Perseus had to look using the reflection in his shield in order to slay her.
MEGA f & m IndonesianMeans "cloud" in Indonesian, ultimately from Sanskrit
मेघ (megha).
MEGAERA f Greek Mythology (Latinized)Latinized form of Greek
Μεγαιρα (Megaira), which was derived from
μεγαιρω (megairo) "to grudge". This was the name of one of the Furies or
Ερινυες (Erinyes) in Greek mythology. The name is used as a word in several European languages to denote a shrewish, ill-tempered woman (for example, French
mégère and Italian
megera).
MEGAN f Welsh, EnglishWelsh diminutive of
MARGARET. In the English-speaking world outside of Wales it has only been regularly used since the middle of the 20th century.
MEGUMI f JapaneseFrom Japanese
恵 (megumi) meaning "favour, benefit" or
愛 (megumi) meaning "love, affection", as well as other kanji or kanji combinations that have the same reading. It is often written using the hiragana writing system.
MEHETABEL f BiblicalFrom the Hebrew name
מְהֵיטַבְאֵל (Meheitav'el) meaning "God makes happy". This name is mentioned briefly in the Old Testament.
MEHMED m Ottoman Turkish, BosnianOlder form of
MEHMET, as well as the Bosnian form. This was the name of six sultans of the Ottoman Empire, including Mehmed II the conqueror of Constantinople.
MEHRAB m Persian, LiteratureFrom
مهر (Mehr), the Persian word for
MITHRA, combined with Persian
آب (ab) "water". This is the name of a character in the 11th-century Persian epic the 'Shahnameh'.
MEI (1) f ChineseFrom Chinese
美 (měi) meaning "beautiful" or
梅 (méi) meaning "Chinese plum" (species Prunus mume), as well as other characters that are pronounced similarly.
MEI (2) f JapaneseFrom Japanese
芽 (me) meaning "bud, sprout" combined with
依 (i) meaning "rely on",
生 (i) meaning "life" or
衣 (i) meaning "clothing, garment". Other kanji combinations are possible.
MEINRAD m German, Ancient GermanicDerived from the Germanic elements
magan "mighty, strong" and
rad "counsel". Saint Meinrad was a 9th-century hermit who founded the Benedictine abbey at Einsiedeln in Switzerland.
MEINWEN f WelshMeans "slender and white" from Welsh
main "slender" and
gwen "white, fair, blessed".
MEJA f Swedish (Modern)Possibly from a Low German diminutive of names beginning with the Germanic element
magan meaning "strength". It was popularized by the Swedish singer Meja (1969-), born Anna Pernilla Torndahl.
MELANIE f English, German, DutchFrom
Mélanie, the French form of the Latin name
Melania, derived from Greek
μελαινα (melaina) meaning "black, dark". This was the name of a Roman saint who gave all her wealth to charity in the 5th century. Her grandmother was also a saint with the same name.
... [more] MELBA f EnglishFrom the surname of the Australian opera singer Nellie Melba (1861-1931). This was a stage name that she got from the name of the city Melbourne, where she was born.
MELCHIOR m Dutch, Judeo-Christian LegendPossibly from the Hebrew roots
מֶלֶכְ (melekh) meaning "king" and
אוֹר ('or) meaning "light". This was a name traditionally assigned to one of the wise men (also known as the Magi, or three kings) who were said to have visited the newborn
Jesus. According to medieval tradition he was a king of Persia.
MELE f HawaiianMeans "song" in Hawaiian. This name is also used as a Hawaiian and Samoan form of
MARY.
MELETE f Greek MythologyMeans "practice, exercise" in Greek. In Greek mythology she was one of the original three muses, the muse of meditation.
MELIA f Greek MythologyMeans "ash tree" in Greek, a derivative of
μελι (meli) "honey". This was the name of a nymph in Greek myth, the daughter of the Greek god Okeanos.
MELINA f English, GreekElaboration of
Mel, either from names such as
MELISSA or from Greek
μελι (meli) meaning "honey". A famous bearer was Greek-American actress Melina Mercouri (1920-1994), who was born Maria Amalia Mercouris.
MELINDA f English, HungarianCombination of
Mel (from names such as
MELANIE or
MELISSA) with the popular name suffix
inda. It was created in the 18th century, and may have been inspired by the similar name
Belinda. In Hungary, the name was popularized by the 1819 play 'Bánk Bán' by József Katona.
MÉLISANDE f FrenchFrench form of
MILLICENT used by Maurice Maeterlinck in his play 'Pelléas et Mélisande' (1893). The play was later adapted by Claude Debussy into an opera (1902).
MELISSA f English, Dutch, Ancient Greek, Greek MythologyMeans "bee" in Greek. This was the name of a nymph that cared for young
Zeus in Greek mythology. It is also the name of the fairy who helps Rogero escape from the witch Alcina in Ludovico Ariosto's poem 'Orlando Furioso' (1516). As an English given name,
Melissa has been used since the 18th century.
MELITA f VariousIn the case of Queen Victoria's granddaughter Princess Victoria Melita (1876-1936) it was derived from
Melita, the Latin name of the island country of Malta, where she was born.
MELLE m DutchOriginally a short form of Germanic names beginning with the element
mathal meaning "meeting".
MELODY f EnglishFrom the English word
melody, which is derived (via Old French and Late Latin) from Greek
μελος (melos) "song" combined with
αειδω (aeido) "to sing".
MELPOMENE f Greek MythologyDerived from Greek
μελπω (melpo) meaning "to sing, to celebrate with song". This was the name of one of the nine Muses in Greek mythology, the muse of tragedy.
MELQART m Semitic MythologyFrom Phoenician
mlk "king" and
qrt "city". This was the name of a Phoenician god worshipped especially in the city of Tyre.
MELUSINE f MythologyMeaning unknown. In European folklore Melusine was a water fairy who turned into a serpent from the waist down every Saturday. She made her husband, Raymond of Poitou, promise that he would never see her on that day, and when he broke his word she left him forever.
MELVILLE m EnglishFrom a Scottish surname that was originally from a Norman French place name meaning "bad town". A famous bearer of the surname was the American author Herman Melville (1819-1891), who wrote several novels including 'Moby-Dick'.
MENAHEM m Biblical, HebrewFrom the Hebrew name
מְנַחֵם (Menachem) meaning "comforter". This was the name of a king of Israel, appearing in the Old Testament. His reign was noted for its brutality.
MENELAUS m Greek Mythology (Latinized)From the Greek name
Μενελαος (Menelaos), derived either from
μενω (meno) meaning "to stay, to wait" or
μενος (menos) meaning "mind, strength, force" combined with
λαος (laos) meaning "the people". In Greek legend he was a king of Sparta and the husband of
Helen. When his wife was taken by
Paris, the Greeks besieged the city of Troy in an effort to get her back. After the war Menelaus and Helen settled down to a happy life.
MENES m Ancient EgyptianMeaning unknown. Menes was an Egyptian king who united Upper and Lower Egypt around 3000 BC. He is also known as Narmer; Menes was probably his funeral name.
MENTOR m Greek MythologyPossibly related to Greek
μενος (menos) meaning "mind, strength, force". In Greek legend Mentor was the son of Alkimos. When
Odysseus left to fight in the Trojan War he entrusted Mentor with the care of his palace and the guardianship of his son Telemachos. When the goddess
Athena visited Telemachos she took the guise of Mentor.
MERAB (1) f BiblicalMeans "abundant" in Hebrew. This is the name of a daughter of Saul in the Old Testament.
MERARI m BiblicalMeans "bitter" in Hebrew. This is the name of the youngest son of
Levi in the Old Testament.
MERAUD f CornishMeaning unknown, perhaps based on Cornish
mor "sea".
MERCEDES f SpanishMeans "mercies" (that is, the plural of mercy), from the Spanish title of the Virgin
Mary,
María de las Mercedes, meaning "Mary of Mercies". It is ultimately from the Latin word
merces meaning "wages, reward", which in Vulgar Latin acquired the meaning "favour, pity".
MERCIA f English (Rare)Latinate form of
MERCY. This was also the name of an old Anglo-Saxon kingdom, though it has a different origin.
MERCURY m Roman Mythology (Anglicized)From the Latin
Mercurius, probably derived from Latin
mercari "to trade" or
merces "wages". This was the name of the Roman god of trade, merchants, and travellers, later equated with the Greek god
Hermes. This is also the name of the first planet in the solar system and a metallic chemical element, both named for the god.
MERCY f EnglishFrom the English word
mercy, ultimately from Latin
merces "wages, reward", a derivative of
merx "goods, wares". This was one of the virtue names adopted by the Puritans in the 17th century.
MEREDITH m & f Welsh, EnglishFrom the Welsh name
Maredudd or
Meredydd, possibly meaning "great lord" or "sea lord". Since the mid-1920s it has been used more often for girls than for boys in English-speaking countries, though it is still a masculine name in Wales. A famous bearer of this name as surname was the English novelist and poet George Meredith (1828-1909).
MERITXELL f CatalanFrom the name of a village in Andorra where there is a sanctuary dedicated to the Virgin
Mary. The name of the village may derive from Latin
meridies meaning "midday".
MERIWETHER m English (Rare)From a surname meaning "happy weather" in Middle English, originally belonging to a cheery person. A notable bearer of the name was Meriwether Lewis (1774-1809), who, with William Clark, explored the west of North America.
MERJA f FinnishPossibly from the name of an ancient Finnish tribe.
MERLE f & m EnglishVariant of
MERRILL or
MURIEL. The spelling has been influenced by the word
merle meaning "blackbird" (via French, from Latin
merula).
MERLIN m Arthurian Romance, EnglishForm of the Welsh name
Myrddin (meaning "sea fortress") used by Geoffrey of Monmouth in his 12th-century Arthurian tales. Writing in Latin, he likely chose the form
Merlinus over
Merdinus in order to prevent associations with French
merde "excrement".
... [more] MERLYN m & f EnglishVariant of
MERLIN, sometimes used as a feminine form. It has perhaps been influenced by the Welsh word
merlyn meaning "pony".
MERRILL m EnglishFrom an English surname that was derived either from the given name
MURIEL or from place names meaning "pleasant hill".
MERRITT m EnglishFrom an English surname, originally from a place name, which meant "boundary gate" in Old English.
MERRY (1) f EnglishFrom the English word
merry, ultimately from Old English
myrige. This name appears in Charles Dickens' novel 'Martin Chuzzlewit' (1844), where it is a diminutive of
MERCY.
MERRY (2) m LiteratureThe name of a hobbit in J. R. R. Tolkien's novel 'The Lord of the Rings' (1954). His full given name was
Meriadoc, a semi-translation into English of his true hobbit name
Kalimac meaning "jolly, merry".
MERRYN f CornishMeaning unknown. This was the name of an early Cornish (male) saint.
MERT m TurkishMeans "manly, brave" in Turkish, from Persian
مرد (mard) meaning "man".
MERTON m EnglishFrom a surname that was derived from a place name meaning "town on a lake" in Old English.
MERVI f FinnishFrom the name of a Finnish village (now a part of the municipality of Hattula).
MERVYN m Welsh, EnglishFrom the Welsh name
Merfyn, which possibly meant "marrow famous". This was the name of a 9th-century Welsh king, Merfyn Frych.
MERYL f EnglishVariant of
MURIEL, influenced by the spelling of the name
CHERYL. A famous bearer is American actress Meryl Streep (1949-), whose real name is Mary Louise Streep.
MESHACH m BiblicalPossibly means "who is what Aku is?" in Akkadian,
Aku being the name of the Babylonian god of the moon. In the Book of Daniel in the Old Testament this is the Babylonian name of Mishael, one of the three men cast into a blazing furnace but saved from harm by God.
MESSIAH m Theology, English (Modern)From the English word meaning "saviour", ultimately from Hebrew
מָשִׁיחַ (mashiyach) meaning "anointed". The word appears in the Old Testament referring to a future king of the Jewish people. In the New Testament it is translated as
Christ and is used as a title of
Jesus.
METHODIUS m Ancient Greek (Latinized)Latinized form of the Greek name
Μεθοδιος (Methodios), derived from Greek
μεθοδος (methodos) meaning "pursuit" or "method", ultimately from
μετα (meta) "with" and
‘οδος (hodos) "road". Saint Methodius was a Greek missionary to the Slavs who developed the Cyrillic alphabet (with his brother Cyril) in order to translate the Bible into Slavic.
METHUSELAH m BiblicalMeans "man of the dart" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament he is the father of
Lamech and the grandfather of
Noah. He lived to age 969, making him the longest-lived person in the Bible.
METIS f Greek MythologyMeans "wisdom, skill, cunning" in Greek. In Greek mythology she was a Titan. Because it was prophesized that her children would be wiser than
Zeus, he swallowed her after he had impregnated her. However, their daughter
Athena eventually burst from his head fully grown.
MEYER m HebrewAlternate transcription of Hebrew
מֵאִיר (see
MEIR). It also coincides with a German surname meaning "mayor, leader".
MICAH m Biblical, EnglishContracted form of
MICAIAH. Micah is one of the twelve minor prophets of the Old Testament. He authored the Book of Micah, which alternates between prophesies of doom and prophesies of restoration. It was occasionally used as an English given name by the Puritans after the Protestant Reformation, but it did not become common until the end of the 20th century.
MICAIAH m & f BiblicalMeans "who is like
YAHWEH?" in Hebrew. This name occurs in the Old Testament belonging to both males and females.
MICHAEL m English, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Dutch, Czech, Biblical, Biblical Latin, Biblical GreekFrom the Hebrew name
מִיכָאֵל (Mikha'el) meaning "who is like God?". This is a rhetorical question, implying no person is like God. Michael is one of the archangels in Hebrew tradition and the only one identified as an archangel in the Bible. In the Book of Daniel in the Old Testament he is named as a protector of Israel. In the Book of Revelation in the New Testament he is portrayed as the leader of heaven's armies in the war against Satan, and is thus considered the patron saint of soldiers in Christianity.
... [more] MICHAL (2) f Biblical, HebrewPossibly means "brook" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament this is the name of a daughter of
Saul. She was married to
David, but after David fled from Saul he remarried her to someone else. Later, when David became king, he ordered her returned to him.
MICHEL m French, German, DutchFrench form of
MICHAEL. Michel de Notredame, also known as Nostradamus, was the 16th-century French astrologer who made predictions about future world events. This is also the German diminutive form of
MICHAEL.
MICHELANGELO m ItalianCombination of
MICHAEL and
ANGELO, referring to the archangel Michael. The Renaissance painter and sculptor Michelangelo Buonarroti, from Florence, was the man who created such great works of art as the statue of
David and the mural on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. This name was also borne by the Baroque artist Michelangelo Merisi, better known as Caravaggio.
MICHIKO f JapaneseFrom Japanese
美 (mi) meaning "beautiful",
智 (chi) meaning "wisdom, intellect" and
子 (ko) meaning "child". This name can also be comprised of other combinations of kanji.
MICKEY m & f EnglishDiminutive or feminine form of
MICHAEL. This was the name that Walt Disney gave to Ub Iwerks' cartoon character Mickey Mouse, who was originally named Mortimer Mouse. Another famous bearer was the American baseball player Mickey Mantle (1931-1995).
MIDAS m Greek MythologyMeaning unknown. In Greek myth Midas was a king of Phrygia in Asia Minor. He was granted a wish by the god
Dionysos - that everything he touch be turned to gold.