Dog Names That Start With M

  1. Melba
    • Origin:

      Modern invented name
    • Description:

      Australian opera singer Nellie Melba—self-named for her hometown of Melbourne—inspired this now-dated name more associated today with a peach dessert and dietetic toast.
  2. Mauro
    • Origin:

      Spanish and Italian
    • Meaning:

      "moorish"
    • Description:

      Mauro, a Top 100 name in Spain and Puerto Rico, is etymologically unrelated to the girls' name Maura, but that won't stop many English speakers from drawing the comparison.
  3. Macario
    • Origin:

      Spanish from Greek
    • Meaning:

      "blessed"
    • Description:

      Macario is used in the modern US, the Spanish form of the ancient Greek Makarios or Latinized Macarius, the name of several early saints. Accessible and worldly, Macario can lead to the friendly nickname Mac.
  4. Mulligan
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "descendent of the bald-headed"
    • Description:

      Less appealing than some other Irish surnames, such as Malone and Sullivan, unless used as a tribute to jazz musician Gerry. There could be some Mulligan stew teasing.
  5. Madelynn
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Madelyn, English
    • Meaning:

      "woman from Magdala or high tower"
    • Description:

      Madelynn is the fourth most popular variation of this durably popular name, with Madelyn ranking first in the Top 100, Madeline dropping to the Number 2 spot, the French Madeleine taking third place, and Madelynn coming in fourth but still ranking in the Top 500.
  6. Mino
    • Origin:

      Spanish place name
    • Description:

      Mino is traditionally a name for people born along Spain's Minho River or Rio Mino. It may be a surname or a first name.
  7. Midora
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "green or my gift"
    • Description:

      A highly unusual Dora name that may be a spin on the Japanese name Midori, meaning "green," or a combination of Mia "my" plus Dora "gift."
  8. Maxima
    • Origin:

      Latin, feminine variation of Maximus
    • Description:

      Max names were one of the hottest trends for boys in the mid-2010s, and are still very popular. The girl versions haven't seen so much love, unfortunately. (Or fortunately, if you love them and want them to stay rare!) Maxima got some attention in 2015 when Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan used it for their daughter, but few parents have copied them.

  9. Mango
    • Origin:

      Fruit name
    • Description:

      Mango might be cute as a short form of a related name like Manuel, or for a pet name. But we're not feeling it as a full baby name for a child of any gender.
  10. Maryn
    • Origin:

      Variation of Mary
    • Meaning:

      "drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"
    • Description:

      Adds a modern spin to old-fashioned Mary.
  11. Mcqueen
    • Mystery
      • Origin:

        Word name
      • Description:

        Pretty sound, provocative meaning, but a little over-the-top.
    • Miri
      • Mose
        • Origin:

          German variation of Moses, Egyptian
        • Meaning:

          "delivered from the water"
        • Description:

          Mose is the German variation of Moses, a widely familiar name thanks to the character in the Old Testament. Mose is also used a nickname for Moses.
      • Milagros
        • Origin:

          Spanish
        • Meaning:

          "miracles"
        • Description:

          Even in the Hispanic community, very religious and old-fashioned.
      • Mimosa
        • Origin:

          Latin plant name
        • Description:

          Adventurous parents are venturing deeper into the garden in search of fresh names, but remember that this also makes for an alcoholic brunch.
      • Maui
        • Origin:

          Hawaiian, Polynesian mythology
        • Description:

          The name of the second-biggest (and third-most populous) island in Hawaii was one of the fastest-rising boys' names of 2017. A major factor was surely Dwayne Johnson's character in Moana, the Polynesian demigod named Maui, a mythological trickster who slowed the sun to create the days. (It fell back to normal levels in the following years.)
      • Marino
        • Origin:

          Latin
        • Meaning:

          "of the sea"
        • Description:

          Marino is an Italian first and surname with distinct crossover possibilities, having pleasant seaside undertones, and is far more unusual in the U.S. than sister Marina.
      • Mahogany
        • Origin:

          Spanish
        • Meaning:

          "rich, strong"
        • Description:

          Dark, woody name that's brings to mind rich panelling, beautiful colors and luxury.
      • Mckenzie
        • Origin:

          Spelling variation of Mackenzie, Scottish
        • Meaning:

          "son of Kenneth"
        • Description:

          Used quietly on boys in the US since the early 20th century, Mckenzie was abruptly overtaken by the Mackenzie spelling back in 1973 when actress Mackenzie Phillips introduced the name as a possibility for girls. While Mckenzie has never matched its sibling spelling in popularity, it nevertheless climbed the charts in its wake, peaking in 2000 at #133.