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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.