Classic Girl Names Starting with M

So you're looking for a beautiful girl's name that's grounded in history and starts with the letter M? We've got you covered! From Mary and Margaret to Madelyn and Mabel, our list of classic M-names for girls is full of ideas for tradition-minded parents.

And while you're at it, have a look at our list of old-fashioned girl names that start with M. These names may feel a bit more time-stamped than the classics below, but they do share that element of history.

1. Madelyn. The modern version of Madeleine.
2. Madeline. A very popular version of Madeleine.
3. Maria. A culture-spanning M-name of biblical origin, Maria works whether you're in Munich, Monaco or Montreal.
4. Margaret. A bona fide classic loved by every generation.
5. Mary. A biblical powerhouse with an impressive list of historical namesakes.
6. Molly. A name well represented in literature and film, Molly continues to appeal to new parents, year after year.
7. Miriam. Let's call this one a "quiet classic": it's always been around but never in the limelight.
8. Maggie. Maggie may have started out as a nickname, but it's also a classic name in its own right.
9. Melissa. A pretty, feminine name with mythological associations and poetic undertones.
10. Mabel. Looking for a classic name that means "love"? Mabel traces its origins to the Latin word amabilis, commonly translated as "lovable" or "worthy of love".
11. Madeleine. This one brings together biblical roots (Madeleine is a modern rendering of Magdalene), royal cred, and the towering legacy of Madeleine Albright, the first woman to become U.S. Secretary of State.
12. Mae. Mae enfolds warmth, frills-free femininity and vintage appeal into one little syllable. Hilary Duff used this mini moniker for her daughter born in 2021.
13. Myra. A traditional name well-represented in literature, both as a character name and as the name of a number of distinguished authors.
14. Marie. Though suffering from a bit of an outdated image at the moment, the classic Marie will, sooner or later, make a comeback.
15. Monica. Monica Lewinsky and the fictional character Monica Geller from "Friends" may be the most famous Monicas, but there are also plenty of other notable namesakes, including Saint Monica, the patron saint of motherhood, and the 1990s' tennis star Monica Seles.
16. Maxine. Traditional, dignified, and yours for the taking!
17. Martha. A biblical classic that occasionally takes a dip in popularity but always finds its footing again.
18. Marcella. A saintly and literary name of Italian origin, Marcella has yet to reclaim her glory days.
19. Marian. If you're after a traditional name that's instantly familiar but rarely heard on today's playgrounds, here's a neglected classic begging for revival.
20. Marion. Shares a similar trajectory with name-cousin Marian.
21. Marguerite. The French version of Margaret.
22. Marianne. For some, Marianne reads like a lovely classic with saintly and literary underpinnings; for others, it's a dusty, musty moniker with a mid-century vibe. What's your take?
23. Marcia. With a history that spans centuries and an impeccable literary pedigree, Marcia could never be called anything but a classic, even if parents aren't falling for it in big numbers at the moment.