Baby Names Starting
with Me-My
MEAD: Old English
for "meadow." Aside from translating literally
as a level grassland, mead is a fermented drink made from
honey, malt, yeast, and water. Relatives: Meade, Meed,
Meid. Namesake: Margaret Mead.
MEARA: Irish Gaelic
for "mirth." Relatifves: Mira, Meera. Namesake:
Anne Meara.
MEDEA: In Greek
"Medeon" means "ruling," and in Latin
"Media" means "middle child." The
mythical enchantress Medea, it should be remembered,
helped Jason win the Golden Fleece. The ungrateful Jason,
however, deserted her. Medea, in turn, killed her children
and vanished. An ancient soap opera, and perhaps a
difficult name for a modern child. Relatives: Medora,
Media, Madora.
MEGAN: An Irish
Gaelic and Welsh version of Margaret and Greek for
"mighty." Megan has become a contemporary
American favorite, although it has been on the top of the
list in Ireland for centuries. Relatives: Meghan, Meagan,
Megann, Meggy, Meggie, Meg.
MEHETABEL: Hebrew
for "favored by God" or "God is doing
good." Relatives: Mehitabel, Mehitabelle, Metabel,
Hetty, Hitty.
MELANCTHA: Greek for
"black flower" and the family name of Protestant
leader Philipp Melanchthon. Relatives: Melanchthon,
Melancton, Melantha. Namesake: Melancton Smith.
MELANIE: Greek for
"dressed in black" or "dark." The
enduring popularity of this name is probably due to its
lyrical sound. Relatives: Melany, Melane, Melani, Melania,
Melloney, Melonie, Melony, Milena, Melanya, Mellie, Melly,
Mel, Mela. Namesakes: Saint Melanie, Melanie Griffith,
"Melanie Wilkes."
MELBA: Greek for
"slender" or "soft" and Latin for
"mallow flower." The mallow flower is associated
with the month of September. Melba is also a variation of
Melvina and Melbourne. Relatives: Melva, Malva. Namesakes:
Melba Moore, Nellie Melba.
MELINA: From the
Latin for "yellow songbird." Relative: Melianthe.
Namesake: Melina Mercouri.
MELINDA: From the
Greek for "gentle one." A change from the more
well-known Melissa and Melanie. Relatives: Malinda, Malina,
Malinde, Malena, Melina, Minda, Mindy, Mallie, Mally,
Linda, Lindy. Namesake: Melinda Dillon.
MELISSA: Greek for
"bee" or "honey." This beautiful name
deserves its continuing popularity. Relatives: Melicent,
Millicent, Melisent, Melita, Melisse, Meli, Mellie, Melly,
Mel, Millie, Milly, Missy, Lisa, Lissa, Lis. Namesakes:
Melissa Gilbert, Melissa Manchester.
MELODY: From the
Greek for "song." Of all the musical names, this
is the most tuneful. Relatives: Melodie, Melly, Mellie.
MELVILLE: Anglo,
Saxon for "hillside," Old English for "town
by the mill." Doesn't this sound classier than
Melvin? * Relatives: Mel. Namesakes: Melville Fuller,
Herman Melville
MELVIN: Celtic for
"chief." Relatives: Malvin, Melvyn, Mel, Mal.
Namesakes: Mel Gibson, Mel Brooks, Mel Blanc, Melvyn
Douglas.
MENDEL: Hebrew for
"wisdom" and Middle English for
"repairer." Relatives: Mel, Mendelssohn,
Menachem, Menahem. Namesakes: L. Mendel Rivers, Menachem
Begin, Felix Mendelssohn.
MERCEDES: Spanish
for the liturgical Maria de la Mercedes (Mary of Mercies)
and Latin for "ransom." Mr. Daimler named his
line of luxury automobiles for his daughter. Relatives:
Mercia, Mercy. Namesake: Mercedes McCambridge.
MERCER: Middle
English for "storekeeper." This name works
equally well for boys and girls. And remember there are at
least eight counties in the United States named Mercer.
Relative: Merce. Namesakes: Merce Cunningham, Johnny
Mercer, Mabel Mercer, General Hugh Mercer.
MERCY: From the
Middle English for "compassion" or
"pity." A very popular name in Plymouth colony.
Roy Orbison said it best. Relatives: Merci, Mercia,
Mercedes.
MEREDITH: From Old
Welsh for "protector of the sea." Both a family
name and a first name used for either sex. Relatives:
Meridith, Merry, Meri. Namesakes: Meredith McCrea,
Meredith Baxter-Birney, Meredith Wilson, Don Meredith.
MERIT: From the
Latin for "deserving." And it is a name that
deserves consideration. Relatives: Merritt, Merriwell.
Namesakes: Merritt Ranew, Frank Merriwell.
MERLE: From the
Latin for "blackbird." Appropriate for both
sexes, this may be spelled in a variety of ways.
Relatives: Merl, Myrle, Meryl, Merlina, Myrlene, Merola,
Merrill, Merla. Namesakes: Merle Oberon, Merle Haggard,
Meryl Streep.
MERLIN: Celtic for
"sea" and Anglo-Saxon for "falcon." It
was Merlin who guided King Arthur and foretold the story
of the "once and future king." Relatives: Merlyn,
Marlin, Marlen, Marwin, Mervin, Merv, Merle. Namesakes:
Merlin Olsen, Merv Griffin, Marlin Perkins, Mervyn LeRoy.
MERRILL: From the
German for "famous" and Old English for "of
the sea." Relatives: Merral, Meril, Merrel, Meryl,
Myrl, Myril, Merle, Merrick, Merton. Namesakes: Robert
Merrill, James Merrill, David Merrick.
MERRY: Middle
English for "joyful." This name never attained
the same popularity as Joy but is pretty on its own and
may be used as a substitute for Mary. Relatives: Merri,
Merrie, Merrilee, Merrily, Merrita, Merrielle. Namesake:
Merry Christmas.
MESSINA: From the
Latin for "middle child." Relative: Messena.
Namesake: Jim Messina
MIA: Derived from
Maria and Michaela; also "mine" in Italian. This
sweet name blends nicely with a long surname. Namesake:
Mia Farrow.
MICHAEL: From the
Hebrew for "who is like god?" The name Michael
jumped into the top ten in the forties, having been a dark
horse before then. If you are nervous about using so
popular a name, peruse the list of variations. Relatives:
Michail, Mikhail, Mikas, Mikel, Michel, Miguel,
Michelangelo, Micah, Michiel, Micha, Mischa, Mitchell,
Mitch, Michau, Mihon, Mikhos, Mihal, Mick, Mickey, Mike,
Mikey. Namesakes: The Archangel Michael, Michael Caine,
Michael J. Fox, Michael Jackson, Mickey Mantle, Mike
Tyson, Mick Jagger, Miguel de Cervantes, Mikhail
Baryshnikov, "Mickey Mouse."
MICHAELA: From the
Hebrew for "who is like God?" and a feminine
version of Michael. Relatives: Michaelina, Michaeline,
Michelina, Micaela, Mikaela, Miguela, Michael, Mike,
Mickey, Micki, Mikey. Namesake: Michael Learned
MICHELLE: A French
feminine version of Michael. A child named Michelle will
consider the Beatles' classic of a lullaby written just
for her. This name was number one in the United States in
1970 but has dropped off recently. Relatives: Michele,
Michal, Michel, Micheline, Michelyn, Midge, Mickie.
Namesakes: Michelle Pfeiffer, Michelle Phillips, Midge
Dichter, "Michelle, Ma Belle."
MILDRED: Anglo-Saxon
blending of "mild" and "thryth"
(meaning "power"). This old-fahioned monicker
was in the top ten in 1900. Relatives: Mildrid, Mildraed,
Mildryd, Milly, Milli, Milley, Millie. Namesakes: Saint
Mildred, Mildred Pierce.
MILES: From the
Latin for "soldier," Old German for
"merciful," and Greek for "millstone."
Relatives: Myles, Milo, Milos, Milan. Namesakes: Myles
Standish, Miles Davis, Venus de Milo, Milos Forman.
MILLARD:
Occupational name for "caretaker of the mill."
Namesake: Millard Fillmore.
MILLER: Occupational
name for "one who mills." Relatives: Mills,
Millson. Namesakes: Miller Barber, Arthur Miller, Glenn
Miller, Ann Miller.
MILLICENT: Old
German for "industrious" or
"strength." Although this has never been wildly
popular, it offers a delightful change from the standard
Melissa. Relatives: Millisent, Melicent, Milly, Millie,
Mili, Melly, Melisande, Melisenda. Namesakes: Millicent
Martin, Millie Marmur.
MILTON: English
place name for a mill town. Relatives: Milten, Milty,
Milt, Melton. Namesakes: Milton Berle, Milton Eisenhower,
Milton Caniff, Milton Keynes.
MINERVA: Greek for
"power" and Latin for "thinker." The
goddess Minerva was born in a full set of armor from the
head of Jupiter. Your child's entry into the world will be
equally astonishing. Relatives: Minette, Minnie, Minny.
MINNA: From the Old
German for "love" and Scottish for
"mother." Relatives: Mina, Minette, Minetta,
Minny, Minnie (a Scotttish form of Mary), Minda, Myna,
Mindy. Namesakes: Minnie Pearl, "Minnie Mouse,"
"Mork and Mindy."
MINTA: Greek for
"mint." One of several herbal names. Take a
minute to review a Spice Islands display. Don't many of
these labels sound like proper names? Relatives: Mintha,
Araminta.
MIRA: From the Latin
for "wonder" and Spanish for "aim." An
ideal name for a future sharpshooter. Relatives: Myra,
Mirilla, Mirella, Mirelle, Mirielle, Myrilla.
MIRABELLE: Latin for
"wonderful" and Spanish for "beautiful to
look upon." Relatives: Mirabel, Mrabella, Mirable,
Marabel
MIRANDA: Latin for
"extraordinary" or "to be admired."
Miranda offers a twist on the more popular Amanda, and the
nickname Mandy may still be invoked. In England Randy is
the preferred nickname. Relatives: Myranda, Meranda, Mira,
Randy, Mandy. Namesakes: Carmen Miranda, Francisco de
Miranda.
MIRIAM: Hebrew for
"bitter" -- the same root as Mary. It also has
the sense of "rebellious." A popular name in
Jewish cultures. Relatives: Miryam, Myriam, Mimi, Minnie,
Mitzi, Miri, Mims, Mimsie, Meryem, Mirjam. Namesakes: The
sister of Moses, Miriam Makeba, Mitzi Gaynor,
Merriam-Webster, Mimi Hines.
MISSY: A form of
"miss." Like Sissy for "sister," this
has acquired independent identity as a proper name.
Relatives: Missie, Missye, Sissy. Namesake: Sissy Spacek.
MISTY: Old English
for "covered by mist." Misty plays well for us.
Relative: Mistee. Namesake: Misty of Chincoteague.
MODESTY: Latin for
"modest one" and a feminine form of Modestus.
Sonny and Cher named their daughter Chastity, after all.
Relatives: Modesta, Modestia, Modestine, Modeste, Desty.
Namesakes: Saint Modestus, "Modesty Blaise."
MOIRA: An Irish
variation of Mary. This name is rarely used except by
parents in Ireland or of Irish descent. Put her in a
kelly-green stretchie and see how it suits her. Relatives:
Maura, Moyra. Namesakes: Moira Shearer, Moira Hodgson.
MOLLY: A variation
of Mary or Margaret. Molly has experienced a resurgence in
the eighties and nineties. It evokes an image of gingham
frocks and braided hair in bows. Relatives: Molli, Molley,
Mollie. Namesakes: Molly Pitcher, Molly Ringwald.
MONA: Latin for
"peaceful," Greek for "individual,"
Irish Gaelic for "noble one," and an Italian
contraction of "my lady." This name is at home
in many cultures. Namesake: Mona Freeman, Mona Lisa. Mona
Simpson.
MONICA: From the
Latin for "advice." Relatives: Monca, Mona,
Monique. Namesakes: Saint Monica, Monique Van Vooren.
MONROE: Celtic place
name for "mouth of the Roe River" and a clan
name in Scotland meaning "wheelwright." This
fine old Celtic name would look terrific on the door to
the Oval Office. Relatives: Munroe, Munro, Monro.
Namesakes: James Monroe, Marilyn Monroe, H. H. Munro (Saki).
MONTAGUE: French
place name for "steep montain." A sturdy family
name with a rich lineage. Relatives: Montagu, Montag,
Monty, Monte. Namesakes: Ashley Montagu, Lord Montagu,
"Romeo Montague."
MONTGOMERY: French
place name and French for "mountain hunter."
This one is loaded with snob appeal, but the nickname
Monty softens it. Relatives: Monty, Monte. Namesakes:
Montgomery Clift, Monty Hall, Monty Woolery, Elizabeth
Montgomery, Robert Montgomery.
MORDECAI: Hebrew for
"warrior." Purim is a Jewish holiday honoring
Queen Ester, who saved the Persian Jews from slaughter.
Boys born during this time were routinely named in honor
of her cousin, Mordecai. Relatives: Mordechai, Mort, Mordy,
Morty. Namesake: Mordecai Richler.
MORGAN: Gaelic for
"white sea" and Welsh for "bright" or
"dweller by the sea." Morgan is used
interchangeably for girls and boys. Nevertheless, Morgana
has long been popular as a feminine variant. Relatives:
Morgen (German for "morning"), Morgana, Morganne.
Namesakes: Morgan Freeman, Morgan Fairchild, Morgan le
Fay, Morgana, Justin Morgan.
MORIA: Hebrew for
"my teacher is God." Relatives: Moriah, Moriel,
Morit, Moryah. Namesake: Mount Moriah.
MORIARTY: Irish for
"sea warrior." This was the name of Sherlock
Holmes's foe. Namesake: Michael Moriarty.
MORLEY: English
place name for "moor" or "meadow."
Relatives: Morlee, Morleigh, Morry, Morrie, Lee.
Namesakes: Morley Safer, Robert Morley, Christopher
Morley.
MORRIS: Related to
Maurice. Relatives: Maurice, Morrie, Morry, Morse, Moss,
Morrison. Namesakes: Morris West, Toni Morrison, Samuel
Morse, "Morris the cat."
MORTIMER: French
place name for "still water." Relatives: Morty,
Mort. Namesakes: Mort Zuckerman, Mort Adler, John
Mortimer, "Mortimer Snerd."
MORTON: Anglo-Saxon
place name for "city on the moor." Relatives:
Morten, Mortyn, Morty, Mort. Namesakes: Morton Downey,
Jr., Mort Sahl, Jelly Roll Morton.
MOSELLE: From the
Hebrew for "taken from water" and a feminine
version of Moses. Moselle is also a wine made in the
Moselle valley, which extends from eastern France into
western Germany. Relatives: Mozelle, Mosheh.
MOSES: From the
Hebrew for "saved," Egyptian for
"child," and Greek for "taken from
water." All the derivations for Moses have to do with
the story of the baby found nestled in the rushes who
became a prophet and let the Israelites out of Egypt.
Relatives: Mose, Moe, Mosya, Moey, Moss, Moshe, Moishe,
Mosheh, Moyes, Moyse. Namesakes: Moses Malone, Edwin
Moses, Moses Gunn.
MUHAMMAD: Arabic for
"praised one." This is the name most often used
by Moslems, making it one of the most popular in the
world. Relatives: Muhammed, Mohamad, Mohammed, Mohammad,
Mohamet, Mahmoud, Mehemet, Mehmet, Ahmad, Ahmet, Amad,
Amed, Hamid, Hamad, Hammed. Namesakes: the prophet
Muhammad (founder of the Moslem religion), Muhammad Ali,
Elijah Muhammad.
MULL: Middle English
for "grinder." Mull this one over. Relative:
Muller. Namesake: Martin Mull.
MURDOCK: Scotch
Gaelic for "victorious at sea." Relatives:
Murdoch, Murtagh. Namesakes: Rupert Murdoch, Iris Murdoch.
MURIEL: From the
Greek "myrrh" and Irish for
"sea-bright." Relatives: Murial, Meriel,
Muireall. Namesakes: Muriel Spark, Muriel Rukeyser, Muriel
cigars.
MURPHY: Irish Gaelic
for "sea warrior." The most common Irish surname
in the United States and once commonly used as a slang
term for the potato. Relatives: Murphee, Murphree.
Namesakes: Audie Murphy, Eddie Murphy, Dale Murphy,
"Murphy Brown," Murphy's Law.
MURRAY: Celtic for
"sailor." This name made the rounds in ancient
Britian. Relatives: Murry, Moray. Namesakes: Murray
Kempton, Arthur Murray, Ann Murray, Jim Murray.
MUSETTA: From the
Old French for "a ballad" and probably related
to "Muse." Relatives: Musette, Musa.. Namesake:
"Musetta" (character in La Boheme).
MYRA: From the Latin
for "wonderful." This name was coined by English
poet Lord Brooke (also known as Fulke Greville). It is an
anagram of "Mary." Namesakes: Dame Myra Hess,
Myra Breckenridge.
MYRNA: Irish Gaelic
for "polite one" or "gentle."
Relatives: Muirne, Merna, Mirna, Moina, Morna, Moyna.
Namesakes: Myrna Loy, Myrna Blyth.
MYRON: From the
Greek for "sweet oil." Namesake: Myron Cohen.
MYRTLE: From the
myrtle flower, an ancient Greek symbol of victory. This
neglected horticultural name deserves consideration.
Relatives: Myrta, Myrtia, Myrtis, Mirtle, Mertle, Mertice,
Mert, Myrtice, Myrtilla. Namesake: Myrtle Beach (N.C.).
( 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. |