Names  - Origins 

MAB: Irish Gelic for "joy." Queen Mab was the queen of the fairies, according to ancient Irish legends. Pretty thought, but remember it rhymes with "blab," "gab," and "flab" -- all unfortunate possibilities for nicknames. Relatives: Mave, Mavis, Mabley. Namesake: Moms Mabley.

MABEL: From the Latin for "lovable" and French ("ma belle") for "my beautiful one." For a generation of baby boomers, Mabel will always be associated with a "yo" whistle and Black Label beer. But take heart, fans, Tracey Ullman named her baby girl Mabel. Relatives: Maybelle, Mabel, Maibelle, Mabella, Maybelline, Mabry, Amabel. Namesakes: Mabel Mercer, Maybelle Carter, Maybelline cosmetics.

MAC: Scottish, Irish, and English prefix meaning "son of." Here you have a phone book of Scottish, Irish, and English family names to peruse. Some popular examples are Macadam, MacArthur, MacDonald, MacDougal, MacIntyre, MacKenzie, MacKinley, MacLean. Relatives: Mc, Mack, Mackey. Namesakes: Mac Davis, Mack Sennett, Mackenzie Phillips, MacLean Stevenson, "Mack the Knife," "Old MacDonald," Mount McKinley.

MACON: From the Middle English "to make." Macon is a county name in nine states and is traditionally associated with the South as a surname. Relatives: Makon, Macomb. Namesakes: Uncle Dave Macon, Randolph Macon College.

MACY: From the Old French for "from Matthew's land" and Old English for "club." Relatives: Macey, Mace, Maceo. Namesakes: Bill Macy, Macy's department store.

MADDOCK: Old Welsh for "champion" or "good fortune." Maddock is the sort of name you'd expect to find stenciled on a glass door in a slightly rundown office building. Maddock Jones, private eye. Relatives: Madock, Madoc, Madog, Maddox, Madox, Maidoc, Maddy. Namesake: Ford Madox Ford.

MADEIRA: From the sweet wine of the Madeira Islands. Why not? after all, Brandy, Margaux, and Ginny are used.

MADELINE: From the Hebrew for "tower of strength." A name popular in many cultures and in a wide variety of forms. And it was a little pastry called a "madeleine" that sent writer Marcel Proust into raptures. Relatives: Magdalene, Magdalen, Magdalena, Madeleine, Madalynn, Madelynne, Madelaine, Madalena, Madelon, Madelyn, Madlin, Madigan, Marleen, Marlene, Marlena, Marline, Maighdlin, Maudlin (check the dictionary before using this one), Malina, Madga, Mady, Maddy, Maddie, Matty, Mala, Mae, May, Lena, Lene. Namesakes: Madeline Kahn, Marlene Dietrick, the Madeline books by Bemelmans, Elvira Madigan.

MADISON: From the German for "son of a mighty warrior" or "related to Maude." This has a future-presidential ring to it. Relatives: Maddison, Maddy. Namesakes: James Madison, Dolly Madison, "Oscar Madison," Madison (Wis.).

MADRA: Spanish for :mother." If the baby looks like her mother -- why not? Madre mia! Relatives: Madre, Madrona.

MAGDALENE: From the Hebrew for "woman of Magdala," an area of Palestine associated with Mary Magdalene. Relatives: Madeline, Magdaline, Magdalena, Magda, Lena. Namesakes: Saint Mary Magdalene, Magda Gabor.

MAGGIE: A shortened form of Margaret. It has been used as an independent name since the nineteenth century. Relatives: Maggy, Magee, Mag. Namesakes: Maggie Smith, "Maggie."

MAGNOLIA: The magnolia flower and tree are named for French botantist Pierre Magnol. This fragrant blossom is associated with the deep South. Relatives: Maggie, Nola, Nolia, Nolie, Enola. Namesake: Enola Gay.

MAGNUS: Latin for "great." Relatives: Manus, Magnuson, Magnum, Magna, Magnilda. Namesake: King Magnus of Norway.

MAHALA: From the Hebrew for "tenderness" and Arabic for "marrow." The name appears in the Old Testament (Numbers 26:33). It is also transalated as "woman" in a North American Indian language. Relatives: Mahalah, Mahalar, Mahela, Mahalia, Mahelia, Mehala. Namesake: Mahalia Jackson

MAIDA: Old English for "maiden." Thomas Hardy used "Maidy" in his novels as a form of address to a young woman. Relatives: Maidie, Maidy, Mady, Maidel, Mayda.

MAIRE: A Scottish or Welsh version of Mary. Relatives: Mair, Mare, Mairwen (Welsh for "lovely Mary"), Mairead. Namesake: Mare Winningham.

MAISIE: Derived from Margery or Margaret and has always been popular in Scotland as an independent name. Relatives: Maisy, Maysie, Mysie, Mazey, Maizie.

MAITLAND: Old English for "dweller in the meadow" and a Norman place name. Although the derivation is rather bland, the name itself is strong and forthright. Namesake: Maitland Jones.

MAJOR: Latin for "greater." Giving a child a "rank" name such as Major poses a problem if he or she chooses a military career. Joseph Heller had fun with the possibility in his novel Catch-22, naming his character Major Major. Relatives: Majeur, Majors, Majorie. Namesakes: Lee Majors, Major Barbara, Majordomo, Constellation Ursa Major.

MAKEPEACE: A "virtue" name. A favorite of the original Puritan settlers, perhaps inspired by the realization that if they didn't they wouldn't get much help from the locals. Namesake: William Makepeace Thackeray.

MALA: From the Old French for "bad one" and Old English for "meeting hall." Ignore the French root. This a lovely name. Namesake: Mala Powers.

Malachi: From the Hebrew for "messenger of God." Malachi was the last of the twelve minor prophets. He foretold Christ's coming. Relatives: Malachy, Malachai. Namesakes: Saint Malachy, Malachi Martin, name of the last book of the Old Testament.

MALCA: Hebrew for "queen." Relative: Malka.

MALCOLM: Scottish Gaelic for "disciple of Saint Columba." An extremely popular name in Scotland and Australia. Relatives: Mal, Colm. Namesakes: Malcolm Cowley, Malcolm X, Malcolm Muggeridge, Malcolm McDowell, Malcolm Forbes, son of "King Duncan" in Shakespeare's Macbeth, Colm Meaney.

MALLORY: From the Old German for "army counselor" and German for "without good fortune." This name is equally favored for girls and boys. Relatives: Mallorie, Mallorey, Malori, Malory, Mal, Mally, Malin. Namesakes: Sir Thomas Malory, :Mallory Keaton, Mallomars.

MALVINA: A Gaelic version of Malvin or Melvin. Malvina probably preceded Melvin. The name was apparently invented and popularized by writer James Macpherson, based on a translation of the Irish "maol-hin" meaning "smooth snow." Relatives: Malva, Malvie, Melvina, Melvine, Mevin, Mally, Melly, Mal, Mel. Namesake: Malvinas (Falkland Islands).

MANFRED: From the Old German for "man of peace." Relatives: Manny, Fred. Namesakes: Manfred Mann, poem by Lord Byron, "Mighty Manfred."

MANLEY: Old English for "man of the meadow." If you are interested in establishing a sense of machismo early on, this is a bold choice. Relatives: Manly, Manning, Mansfield, Manton, Manville, Mannix, Manchester, Manheim. Namesakes: Dexter Manley, Mike Mansfield, Manchester (England), Man Ray.

MANON: A French version of Mary or Marian. The French pronunciation is essential: "Man-on." Namesakes: Manon Lescaut, Manon of the Spring.

MANUEL: Spanish variation of Emanuel. Relatives: Manuela, Mano, Manolo, Manny, Mani. Namesake: Manuel Ortega.

MARA: From the Hebrew for "bitter," a version of Mary, and an abbreviated form of Tamara ("palm tree"). Mara has an elegant simplicity, so it works well with a long surname. In the Old Testament (Ruth 1:20), Naomi says, "Do not call me Naomi, call me Mara." Relatives: Marah, Maraline, Marlina.

MARCEL: A French form of Marcellus or "little hammer." Relatives: Marcello, Marcellus. Namesakes: Marcel Proust, Marcel Marceau, Marcello Mastroiannni.

MARCELLA: A Latin name derived from Mars, the god of war. Marcella is also the feminine version of Marcus, Marcel, and Marcello. Relatives: Marcy, Marcie, Marcelle, Marclyn, Marcelin.

MARCIA: A Latin name derived from the Roman god of war -- Mars. It is a feminine version of Mark, Marcius, and Marcus. It may be pronouned "Mar-cy-a" or "Marsh-a." Relatives: Marsha, Marshe, Marcille, Marchita, Marchette, Marquita, Martia, Marcelia, Marcy, Marci, Marcie. Namesakes: Marcia Wallace, Marsha Mason, "Marcia Brady."

MARCUS: A Latin form of Mark. Marcus has become increasingly popular, perhaps in an effort to select a traditional name with a slightly different twist. Relatives: Marilo, Marc, Mark. Namesakes: Marcus Aurelius, Marcus Allen, Marcus Garvey, "Dr. Marcus Welby."

MARCY: A name originally derived as a nickname for any name that began with "Mar." Relatives: Marcey, Marci, Marsi, Marsy, Marsie.

MARGARET: From the Latin for "pearl." This name and all its variations have been consistently popular throughout the world for generations. The wide variety of nicknames makes this a good choice for insecure parents. Relations: Margareta, Margarita, Margita, Margery, Margory, Marjorie, Marjory, Marget, Margret, Margette, Margalo, Marguerite, Margarida, Margiad, Margherita, Margarethe, Maergrethe, Margaretha, Margalith, Mairghread, Margo, Marjoe, Marga, Margot, Margaux, Marge, Margie, Marta, Madge, Mag, Magee, Maggie, Mamie, Maymie, Maisie, Meg, Meggie, Midge, Gretchen, Gretel, Gretle, Greta, Grete, Garet, Peg, Peggy, Reta, Rita. Namesakes: Margaret, a patron saint of Scotland and one of the virgin martyrs of the third centry, Margaret Rose Charlton, Margaret Mitchell, princess Margaret, Margaret Thatcher, Margaux (the wine and the Hemingway), Marguerite Duras, Margot Fonteyn, frozen margarita.

MARIA: a Latin version of Mary. There are several show-stopping numbers in various musicals dedicated to Maria. The usual pronunciation is "Ma-re-a," but might consider using "Ma-reye-a," a pretty variation. Relatives: Mary, Marya, Mariah, Marie. Namesakes: Maria Shriver, Maria von Trapp, Maria Callas.

MARIABELLA: A blending of Maria and "bella" (my beautiful Mary). Relatives: Mariabelle, Maribel, Maribelle.

MARIAM: a Greek form of Mary or Miriam. Relative: Mariamne. Namesake: Mariamne, wife of Herod and subject of a play by Voltaire entitled Mariamne.

MARIAN: A blending of Mary and Ann and Old French for "little Mary." Relatives: Marion, Mariana, Mariann, Marianne, Mary-Ann, Marianna. Namesakes: Marian Anderson, Marianne Moore, "Maid Marian"

MARIDEL: A version of Mary. Relative: Meridel.

MARIEL: A French version of Marie or Mary. The simple addition of the "I" gives the name a musical quality. Relatives: Marielle, Mariella, Marietta, Mariette, Marette, Maretta. Namesakes: Mariel Hemingway, Marietta College (Ohio).

MARIGOLD: A flower name. Less familiar now than Rose or Lily, perhaps, but once a popular flower name. Relatives: Mari, Golda, Goldie.

MARILEE: A blending of Mary and Lee. The Mari- prefix blends well with many other names; a good combination is Marilise. Experiment. Relatives: Marlee, Mery-Lee. Namesake: Marlee Matson.

MARILYN: A blending of Mary and Lynn. A relatively modern "invention," becoming common only in this century. Relatives: Mary-Lynn, Maralin, Marilin, Marylin, Marlyn, Marlin, Marly, Mari, Lynn. Namesakes: Marilyn Monroe, Marilyn Quayle, Marilyn Horne.

MARIO: A variation of Mark or Marion. Relative: Marius. Namesakes: Mario Puzo, Mario Cuomo, Mario van Peebles.

MARION: Related to Mary. This name is used for both sexes and as a surname. As a girl's name, it peaked in the twenties when it made the top-twenty list. Relative: Mariano. Namesakes: General Francis Marion, Marion Michael Morrison (John Wayne).

MARISSA: From the Latin for "of the sea." If derivations are important to you, you might enjoy giving this name to a future surfer. A pretty choice with fine nicknames. Relatives: Marisa, Maris, Mari, Marina, Maressa, Maritza, Merisa, Merrisa, Marissah. Namesakes: Saint Marina, Princess Marina of Greece, Marisa Berenson, Marina Del Rey (Calif.).

MARJORIE: From the Old French for "pearl" and a variation of Margaret. Relatives: Marjory, Marjorey, Marjary, Margery, Margey, Margie, Marge, Margo, Marje, Marjy, Marcail. Namesakes: Marjorie Merriweather Post, "My Little Margie," Marjorie Morningstar.

MARK: From the Latin relating to Mars, the god of war, it also translates as "hammer." Mark is a solid choice, and the relatives offer room for unique variations. Relatives: Marc, Marcus, Marcel, Marcellus, Marcello, Marcellino, Marceau, Marque, Marco, Marek, Marko, Marus, Markos, Marks, Marx, March, Marius, Marquette, Marquis, Marky, Markie. Namesakes: Saint Mark, Mark Twain, Marco Polo, Marc Chagall, Mark Harmon, Markie Post.

MARLENE: a German form of Madeline or a blending of Mary or Margaret with Lena or Helen. This may be pronounced with either two or three syllables. Relatives: Marlena, Marleen, Marline, Marly, Marlie, Marla, Lene, Lena. Namesakes: Marlene Dietrich, Marla Hansen, "Lili Marlene."

MARLON: A French name related to Merlin and Merle. This could translate into a name for either sex. Relatives: Marlin, Marlyn, Marly, Marlo, Marlis, Marlys. Namesakes: Marlon Brando, Marlo Thomas.

MARLOW: Old English for "from the hillside lake." Relatives: Marlowe, Marlo. Namesakes: Christopher Marlowe, "Philip Marlowe."

MARMADUKE: Celtic for "leader on the seas." Granted it's difficult blocking the image of a Great Dane, but this is an impressive monicker. Relative: Duke. Namesake: Duke Ellington.

MARNA: From the Hebrew for "rejoice." Relatives: Marni, Marnie, Marny, Marnette, Marne. Namesake: Marne River (France).

MARSDEN: From the Old English for "field near water." Relatives: Marsdon, Marston, Marland, Marley, Marden, Marwood, Mardyth. Namesake: Bob Marley.

MARSHALL: From the English for "steward" and French for "cavalry commander." A surname that is well-suited as a first name. Relatives: Marshal, Marschall, Marsh, Marshe. Namesakes: Marshall McLuhan, Thurgood Marshall, "Marshal Dillon."

MARTHA: Aramaic for "lady" or "woman." The biblical Martha (Luke 10; John 11,12) was a bit of a drudge who complained to God about her household duties and was admonished by Him. She has since become the patron saint of housewives. Relatives: Marth, Marta, Martina, Marella, Martita, Marti, Marty, Mattie, Matty, Marthe, Masia. Namesakes: Martha Washington, Martha Graham, Martha Stewart, Martha and the Vandellas, Marthe Keller.

MARTIN: From the Latin for "of Mars." This is not to say a Martian but, rather, related to the Greek god of war -- Mars. The planet Mars rules Scorpios. Relatives: Marten, Martyn, Marton, Maarten, Martino, Martins, Marty, Martie, Mart, Mertin, Mertil, Martinson, Martel, Martinet, Martinique. Namesakes: Saint Martin, Martin Luther King, Jr., Martin Van Buren.

MARTA: A feminine version of Martin, Latin for "warrior." Perfect for the baby girl with a wicked backhand. Relatives: Martine, Marta, Marty, Tina. Namesake Martina Navratilova.

MARVELLE: From the Latin and Old French for "miracle." Relatives: Marvel, Marvell, Marva, Marvella. Namesake: Andrew Marvell.

MARVIN: Celtic for "beautiful sea," Anglo-Saxon for "good friend," and a version of Mervyn. This name hasn't seen much activity in the past decade in spite of its winning derivations. Relatives: Mervin, Mervyn, Merwin, Merwyn, Myrwyn, Murvyn, Myrvyn, Marv. Namesakes: Marvin Hamlisch, Marvin Gaye, Lee Marvin.

MARY: The New Testament form of Miriam (Hebrew for"bitter"). For generations, including the first half of the twentieth century. Mary has been the most popular name in many cultures. Although it has fallen out of favor in the past few decades, it will probably become the "Jessica" of the twenty-first century. Mary is also the star of dozens of nursery rhymes, which makes story-time conveniently personal. It pairs well with a second name such as Ellen, Alice, or Jane. Relatives: Mari, Merry, Marie, Maria, Miriam, Marian, Mame, Mamie, Maymie, Mayme, May, Mally, Molly, Polly, Mara, Maretta, Marel, Marella, Maren, Marlo, Mariette, Marieta, Meriel, Mimi, Minette, Minnie, Minny, Mitzi, Madonna, Marilla, Marla, Marya, Muriel, Manon, Manette, Marija, Marika, Maire, Mare, Marquita, Maure, Mairin, Maura, Maureen, Moira, Moire, Moya, Muire, Masha, Mairi. Namesakes: Mary Queen of Scots, William and Mary, Mary Martin, Mamie Eisenhower, "Mary Poppins," "Minnie Mouse."

MASLIN: Old French for "little twin." A name to keep in mind if multiple births run in your family. Relative: Maslen. Namesake: Janet Maslin.

MASON: From the French, occupational name for a stone worker. A old, preppie name. Relatives: Masen, Mase. Namesakes: Mason Williams, James Mason, Jackie Mason, Mason jar.

MATHER: Old English for "powerful army." Namesake: Cotton Mather.

MATHILDA: From the Old German for "battle maiden" or "strength." The popular Aussie song can be her personal lullaby. Relatives: Matilda, Matelda, Maitilde, Mathylda, Mathilde, Matty, Mattye, Mattie, Maddy, Maddie, Mala, Tila, Tilly, Tillie, Tilda, Maude, Maud. Namesakes: Queen Matilda, Matilda Cuomo, Tillie Olsen, "Waltzing Matilda."

MATTEA: A feminine version of Matthew (Hebrew for "gift of God"). With the emphasis on the second syllable, Mattea has a romantic quality to it. The name suggest a heroine created by Byron. Relatives: Matthea, Mathia, Mthea, Mathia.

MATTHEW: From the Heberw for "gift of God." To ad a distinctive twist to this ever-popular name, consider the handsome variations. Relatives: Mathew, Mathias, Mtthias, Mattieu, Matheu, Matyus, Matthuas, Mathern, Mayhew, Mattheson, Matthieson, Matthews, Mattheus, Mathe, Mateo, Matteo, Mattison, Massey, Matt, Matty, Mats. Namesakes: Saint Matthew, Matthew Arnold, Matthew Broderick, Walter Matthau, Mats Wilander.

MAUD: From the Old German for "strength in battle" and a variation of Mathilda. Shake that image of Bea Arthur's character in the TV show "Maude." This is a special name. Relatives: Maude, Maudie. Namesakes: Maud Adams, Maud (by Alfred Lord Tennyson), Maude Gonne.

MAUREEN: Irish Gaelic for "little Mary," Old French (Maurin) meaning "dark-haired," and a feminine version of Maurice. Evokes Irish beauty and Celtic strength. Relatives: Maura, Mora, Moira, Moreen, Moria, Maurin, Maurine, Morena, Maurizia, Mo. Namesakes: Maureen O'Hara, Maureen O'Sullivan, Maureen Stapleton, Maureen McGovern.

MAURICE: French-Latin for "moorish" or "dark" and Old English for "moor land." This name can be pronounced with the accent on the second syllable, as the French do ("Mowr-ees"), or on the first, as in Morris the cat. Relatives: Morris, Morse, Maury, Morry, Morey, Morrie, Moritz, Moriz, Morets, Meuriz, Moss, Morrell, Mauricio, Maurizio, Murray, Maryse, Morrison. Namesakes: Maurice Chevalier, Maurice Ravel, Maurice Lucas, Moss Hart.

MAVIS: A type of small bird related to the thrush and a variation of Mab. Many names are borrowed from nature, and birds, have been popular in almost every culture. Mavis was expecially popular in England at the turn of the century. Relatives: Maves, Maeves, Maeve, Mauve, Meave.

MAXIMILIAN: From the Latin for, "greatest one." This name is credited to and first used by Frederick III of Germany in 1459. He wanted a special name for his son and heir, and reviewed the names of his heroes -- Roman emperors. Just-plain "Max" echoed across the playgrounds of America as it climbed the popularity charts in the eighties. Relatives: Maximilien, Maximiliano, Maximus, Maxim, Maximo, Maxwell, Maxfield, Maximino, Max, Maxey, Maxie, Mac, Maxa, Mack, Maks, Maksim. Namesakes: Maximilian Schell, Maksim Gorky, Sir Max Beerbohm, Max Factor, Maxfield Parish.

MAXINE: A latin version of Maxima meaning "the greatest." Relatives: Maxina, Maxime, Maxima, Maxita, Maxa, Maxy, Maxie, Max.

MAXWELL: An Anglo-Saxon place name and Old English for "Marcus's well." Relatives: Max, Maxey, Maxie, Maxy. Namesakes: Maxwell Anderson, Maxwell Perkins, "Maxwell Smart," Maxwell House coffee.

MAY: An abbreviated version of Mary and Margaret. Name her two little sisters April and June. Relatives: Mae, Mai, Maia, Maya, Maye, Mayes, Mays, Maize. Namesakes: May Britt, Willie Mays, Mayo Smith, Mayo Clinic.

MAYER: German for "farmer," Latin for "greater," and Hebrew for "bringer of light." Relatives: Meyer, Meir, Meier, Mayr, Myer, Mayor, Myerson. Namesakes: Meyer Lansky, Louis B. Mayer, Oscar Mayer, Bess Myerson.

MAYNARD: Anglo-Saxon for "remarkable strength" and Dobie Gillis's buddy, of course. Relative: Menard. Namesakes: Maynard Ferguson, Don Maynard, Joyce Maynard.

( THE BEST NAME FOR YOUR BABY: A CREATIVE GUIDE TO PROPER NAMES, by Barbara Binswanger and Lisbeth Mark. Henry Holt and Co., New York, 1990.