Girl Dog Names That Start With M

A traditional smoosh name with a peaceful, religious feel.

Popular dog name in the 17th century. It would still be cute today—on a dog, that is.

Mandara is one of those names that sounds like its meaning -- and calm is certainly a quality worth courting in a child.

A unique international short form of Margaret.

Russian form of Martha, used in several novels by Feodor Dostoyevsky.

Marfa is perhaps best known as the name of artistic city Marfa, Texas. Rumor has it that the town was named after the Dostoyevsky character in The Brothers Karamazov, but it was actually named for a different literary character—Marfa Strogoff in MIchael Strogoff by Jules Verne.

Cute but substantial short form, deriving from Maria. The meaning of Maria is uncertain, but theories include "drop of the sea" (from Hebrew roots mar "drop" and yam "sea"); "bitter" (from Hebrew marah "bitterness"); and "beloved" (from the Egyptian root mr).

This unisex Japanese name has dozens of possible meanings, depending on the kanji characters used.

Common Japanese choice with a covetable meaning.

Masuyo has always been a rarity in Japan, but it was more common in the 19th century than at any other time.

As a name, it's linked to Sir Mulberry Hawk, a character in Charles Dicken's Nicholas Nickleby.

Very confusing choice, even for your cat.

Trendy Spanish island makes for trendy girls' name.

Only in use in the US since the late 1950s, Marivel may have originated as a creative spin on Marvel, perhaps influenced by Maribel, which has followed the same popularity trajectory (although much higher up the charts).