MAB (Irish) Joy. Notables: Queen Mab, the legendary Irish fairy queen.

MABEL (English) Lovable. Variations: Mabelle, Mable, Maybel, Maybell, Maybelle.

MACARIA (Spanish) Blessed. Variations: Macarea, Macarie.

MACKENNA (Irish) Child of the handsome one.

MACKENZIE (Irish) Child of a handsome leader. Notables: Actress Mackenzie Phillips. Variations: Mac, MacKenzie, Mackenze, Mackenzi, McKenzie, Mckenzie.

MACY (English) Matthew's estate; (French) Weapon. Notables: Singer Macy Gray.

MADELINE (French) From Magdalen. Notables: Actress Madeline Kahn; U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Variations: Mada, Madalena, Maddalena, Madalyn, Madelaine, Madelayne, Madeleine, Madelena, Madelene, Madelina, Madelyn, Madge, Madilin, Madiline, Madilyn, Madolyn, Magda.

MADIA (Arabic) To praise. Variations: Madiha, Madihah.

MADDIE (English) Short form of Madeline. Variations: Maddi, Maddy.

MADGE (Greek) Short form of Margaret or Madeline. Variations: Madgie.

MADISON (English) Child of Maud. Variations: Maddison, Madisen, Madisson, Madyson.

MADONNA (Latin) My lady. Notables: Singer Madonna.

MAE (English) Variation of May. Notables: Actress Mae West.

MAEVE (Irish) Intoxicating. Notables: Writer Maeve Binchy. Variations: Maive, Mave, Mayve.

MAGDA (Russian/Slavic) Form of Magdalen.

MAGDALEN (Greek) From Magdala, area in the Middle East. Variations: Magdala, Magdaleen, Magdalena, Magdalene, Magdaline, Magdalyn, Magdelen.

MAGENA (Native American) New moon.

MAGGIE (English) Short for Magdalen or Margaret. Notables: Actresses Maggie Smith and Maggie Gyllenhaal. Variations: Magi, Maggi, Maggy.

MAGNOLIA (Latin) Flowering tree.

MAHALA (Hebrew) Tenderness. Notables: Singer Mahalia Jackson. Variations: Mahalah, Mahalia, Mahaliah, Mahalla, Mahelia, Mehalia.

MAHOGANY (Spanish) Rich; strong.

MAIA (Greek) Mother. Variations: Maiya, Maya, Mya.

MAIDA (English) Maiden. Variations: Maidie, Mayda.

MAIRE (Irish) Form of Mary. Variations: Mair, Maira, Mairin.

MAISIE (Scottish) Pearl. Short form of Margaret. Variations: Maisey, Maisy, Maizie.

MALI (Thai) Flower.

MALKAH (Hebrew) Queen. Variations: Malcah, Malka, Malkia, Malkiah, Malkie, Malkit, Malkiya.

MALKIN (German) Battle maiden.

MALLORY (French) Unfortunate. Notables: Mallory Keaton, character on TV's Family Ties. Variations: Malloreigh, Mallorey, Mallorie, Malorey, Malori, Malorie, Malory.

MALVA (English) Form of Melba. Variations: Melva.

MALVINA (Scottish) Feminine form of Melvin. Variations: Malvi.

MAMIE (English) Form of Margaret. Notables: U.S. first lady Mamie Eisenhower; actress Mamie Van Doren. Variations: Mame, Mamee.

MANDA (Latin) Short form of Amanda.

MANDY (English) Lovable. Short form of Amanda. Notables: Singer Mandy Moore. Variations: Mandee, Mandey, Mandi, Mandie.

MANETTE (French) Defiant.

MANGENA (Hebrew) Song. Variations: Mangina.

MANON (French) Bitterness. Form of Marie.

MANSI (Native American) Picked flower. Variations: Mancey, Manci, Mancie, Mancy, Mansey, Mansie, Mansy.

MANUELA (Spanish) God is among us. Feminine version of Emanuel. Variations: Manuelita.

MANYA (Russian) Form of Maria.

MARA (Hebrew) Bitter. Variations: Marah.

MARABEL (English) Beautiful sea. Variations: Marabelle, Marable, Marbella.

MARCELLA (Latin) Warlike. Variations: Marcela, Marcelle.

MARCIA (Latin) Warlike. Feminine version of Mark. Notables: Actress Marcia Cross; lawyer Marcia Clark. Variations: Marce, Marcee, Marcela, Marcelia, Marcella, Marcelle, Marcena, Marcene, Marcey, Marci, Marcie, Marcina, Marcy, Marsha.

MARCY (English) Short form of Marcia or Marcella. Variations: Marcee, Marcey, Marci.

MARELLA (English) Combination of Mary and Elle. Variations: Marelle.

MAREN (Latin) Sea. Variations: Marin, Marren, Marrin.

MARETTA (English) Defiant. Variations: Marette.

MARGARET (English) Pearl. Notables: Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher; actress Margaret Hamilton. Variations: Greeta, Greetje, Grere, Gret, Greta, Gretal, Gretchen, Gretel, Grethal, Gretje, Gretl, Gretta, Groer, Maggi, Maggie, Maggy, Mair, Maire, Mairi, Mairona, Margara, Margareta, Margarethe, Margarett, Margaretta, Margarette, Margarita, Margarite, Marge, Margeret, Margerey, Margery, Margrett, Marguerette, Marguerite, Marjorie, Meagan, Meaghan, Meaghen, Meg, Megan, Megen, Meggi, Meggie, Meggy, Meghan, Meghann, Peg, Pegeen, Pegg, Peggey, Peggi, Peggie, Peggy, Reet, Reeta, Reita, Rieta, Ritta.

MARGARITA (Spanish/Italian) Form of Margaret.

MARGE (English) Short form of Margaret or Marjorie. Notables: Actress Marg Helgenberger; TV cartoon mom Marge Simpson. Variations: Marg.

MARGIE (English) Short form of Margaret or Marjorie. Variations: Margi, Margy, Marjie, Marjy.

MARGO (French) Form of Margaret. Notables: Actresses Margo Kidder and Margaux Hemingway. Variations: Margaux, Margot.

MARIA (Latin/Italian/Spanish) Form of Mary. Notables: Tennis pro Maria Sharapova; opera singer Maria Callas. Variations: Marea, Mariah, Marie, Marya.

MARIAH (Hebrew) Form of Mary. Notables: Singer Mariah Carey. Variations: Moriah.

MARIAN (French) Combination of first names “Mary” and “Ann.” Notables: Singer Marian Anderson. Variations: Mariana, Mariane, Mariann, Marianna, Marianne, Marion, Marrian, Marrion, Mary Ann, Maryann, Maryanna, Maryon, Maryonn.

MARIE (French) Variation of Mary. Notables: Scientist Marie Curie; former queen of France Marie Antoinette. Variations: Maree.

MARIEL (Dutch) Form of Mary. Notables: Actress Mariel Hemingway. Variations: Mariella, Marielle.

MARIETTA (French) Form of Mary. Notables: Actress Mariette Hartley. Variations: Mariette.

MARIGOLD (English) Flower.

MARILYN (English) Combination of first names “Mary” and “Lynn.” Notables: Actress Marilyn Monroe. Variations: Maralin, Maralynn, Marelyn, Marilee, Marilin, Marilynne, Marralynn, Marrilin, Marrilyn, Marylin, Marylyn.

MARINA (Latin) From the sea. Variations: Marena, Marinda, Marine, Marinna, Marna.

MARION (French) Form of Marian or Mary. Notables: Actress Marion Ross.

MARIS (Latin) Star of the sea. Variations: Marieca, Marisa, Marise, Marish, Marisha, Marissa, Marisse, Meris, Merisa, Merissa.

MARISOL (Spanish) Sunny sea.

MARISSA (Latin) Of the sea. Notables: Actress Marisa Tomei. Variations: Marisa.

MARIT (Scandinavian) Form of Margaret.

MARITA (Spanish) Form of Mary.

MARITZA (Arabic) Blessed.

MARJORIE (Greek) Form of Margaret. Notables: Literary heroine Marjorie Morningstar. Variations: Margery, Marjery, Marjori, Marjory.

MARKIE (Latin) Warlike. Feminine form of Mark. Notables: Actress Markie Post. Variations: Marki, Marky.

MARLA (English) Short form of Marlene. Notables: Actresses Marla Gibbs and Marla Maples. Variations: Marlee, Marley, Marlo, Marly.

MARLENE (English) Combined form of first and last names “Mary Magdalene.”Notables: Actress Marlene Dietrich. Variations: Marla, Marlaina, Marlaine, Marlana, Marlane, Marlayne, Marlea, Marlee, Marleen, Marleina, Marlena, Marley, Marlie, Marlina, Marlinda, Marline, Marlyn.

MARLO (English) Form of Mary or Marlene. Notables: Actress Marlo Thomas. Variations: Marlow, Marlowe.

MARNI (Hebrew) To rejoice. Variations: Marna, Marne, Marney, Marnia, Marnie, Marnina, Merina.

MARONA (Hebrew) Flock of sheep.

MARQUITA (Spanish) Ruler. Variations: Marqueda, Marquisa.

MARSHA (Latin) Warlike. Form of Marcia. Notables: Comedian Marsha Warfield.

MARTA (Spanish/Italian/Portuguese) Form of Martha.

MARTHA (Aramaic) Lady. Notables: Domestic diva Martha Stewart. Variations: Marcia, Marit, Marite, Marlet, Mart, Marta, Martell, Marth, Marthe, Marthena, Marti, Martie, Martina, Martita, Martus, Martuska, Marty, Martyne, Martynne, Masia, Matti, Mattie.

MARTI (English) Short form of Martha or Martina. Variations: Martie, Marty.

MARTINA (Latin) Warlike. Feminine version of Martin. Notables: Tennis pro Martina Navratilova; singer Martina McBride. Variations: Martine.

MARVA (English) Famous friend. Feminine version of Marvin.

MARVEL (French) Marvel. Variations: Marva, Marvela, Marvele, Marvella, Marvelle.

MATTHEA (Hebrew) Gift from God. Feminine version of Matthew. Variations: Mathea, Mathia, Mattea, Matthia, Mattia.

MARY (Hebrew) Bitterness. Notables: Singer Mary J. Blige; actress Mary Tyler Moore. Variations: Maree, Marella, Marelle, Mari, Marial, Marieke, Mariel, Mariela, Mariele, Mariella, Marielle, Marika, Marike, Maryk, Maura, Moira, Moll, Mollee, Molley, Molli, Mollie, Molly, Mora, Moria, Moyra.

MASHA (Russian) Form of Mary.

MATILDA (German) Maiden in battle. Variations: Maddi, Maddie, Maddy, Mat, Matelda, Mathilda, Mathilde, Matilde, Mattie, Matty, Matusha, Matylda, Maud, Maude, Tila, Tilda, Tildie, Tildy, Tilley, Tilli, Tillie, Tilly, Tylda.

MAUD (English) Short form of Madeline or Matilda. Notables: Actress/model Maud Adams. Variations: Maude.

MAURA (Irish) Form of Mary. Notables: Actress Maura Tierney. Variations: Moira.

MAUREEN (Irish) Variation of Mary. Notables: Actresses Maureen O'Sullivan, Maureen O'Hara, and Maureen McCormick. Variations: Maurene, Maurine, Moreen, Moureen.

MAUVE (French) Mallow plant.

MAVIS (French) Thrush. Variations: Mayvis.

MAXINE (English) Greatest in excellence. Notables: Singer Maxine Nightingale. Feminine version of Maximilian. Variations: Maxene, Maxi, Maxie, Maxima, Maximina, Maxina.

MAY (English) Calendar month. Variations: Mae, Mai, Mayleen, Maylene.

MAYA (Hindu) Illusion. Notables: Writer Maya Angelou. Variations: Maia, Mya.

MAYBELLINE (Latin) Form of Mabel. Variations: Maybeline.

MAYIM (Hebrew) Water. Notables: Actress Mayim Bialik.

MAYSA (Arabic) Walk proudly. Variations: Maisah.

MEAD (Greek) Wine of honey. Variations: Meade, Meede.

MEDEA (Greek) Ruling.

MEDINA (Arabic) City in Saudi Arabia.

MEDORA (English) Gift from mother.

MEG (English) Short form of Margaret or Megan. Notables: Actress Meg Ryan.

MEGAN (Irish) Form of Margaret. Notables: Actress Megan Mullaly. Variations: Magan, Magen, Maygen, Meagan, Meaghan, Megane, Megann, Megen, Meggen, Meghan.

MEGGIE (English) Familiar form of Margaret or Megan. Variations: Meggi, Meggy.

MEHITABEL (Hebrew) Benefited by God. Variations: Mehetabel.

MEIYING (Chinese) Beautiful flower.

MEL (English) Short form of Melanie or Melody.

MELANIE (Greek) Dark-skinned. Notables: Actress Melanie Griffith. Variations: Mel, Mela, Melaine, Melana, Melane, Melani, Melaniya, Melanka, Melany, Melanya, Melashka, Melasya, Melenia, Melka, Mellanie, Mellie, Melloney, Mellony, Melly, Meloni, Melonie, Melony, Milena, Milya.

MELBA (English) From Melbourne, Australia. Notables: Singer Melba Moore. Variations: Mellba, Mellva, Melva.

MELINA (Greek) Honey. Actress Melina Kanakaredes.

MELINDA (Greek) Honey. Variations: Malina, Malinda, Malinde, Mallie, Mally, Mel, Meleana, Melina, Melinde, Meline, Mellinda, Melynda, Mindi, Mindie, Mindy.

MELIORA (Latin) Better. Variations: Melora.

MELISANDE (French) Form of Melissa or Millicent. Variations: Melasandre, Mellisande.

MELISSA (Greek) Bee. Notables: Singer Melissa Etheridge; actress Melissa Joan Hart. Variations: Melisa, Melisande, Melisandra, Melisandre, Melissande, Melissandre, Melisse, Mellisa, Mellissa.

MELODY (Greek) Song. Variations: Melodee, Melodey, Melodia, Melodice, Melodie.

MELVINA (Irish) Great chief. Feminine form of Melvin. Variations: Malva, Malvina, Melva, Melvena, Melvine.

MENA (Dutch) Strength. Notables: Actress Mena Suvari. Variations: Menna.

MENIA (Scandinavian) Ancient mythological figure. Variations: Menja.

MERCEDES (Spanish) Mercy. Notables: Actress Mercedes Ruehl. Variations: Merced, Mercedez.

MERCIA (English) Ancient British kingdom.

MERCY (English) Merciful. Variations: Mercey, Merci, Mercia, Mercie, Mersey.

MEREDITH (Welsh) Great leader. Notables: TV host Meredith Viera; actress Meredith Baxter Birney. Variations: Meredithe, Merideth, Meridith, Merridith.

MERI (Scandinavian) Ocean. Variations: Meriata.

MERIEL (Irish) Brilliant seas. Variations: Merial, Meriol, Merrill.

MERLE (French) Blackbird. Notables: Actress Merle Oberon. Variations: Merl, Merla, Merlin, Merlina, Merline, Merlyn.

MERRY (English) Happy. Variations: Meri, Merri, Merrie, Merrilee, Merrily.

MERYL (English) Bright as the sea. Notables: Actress Meryl Streep. Variations: Merill, Merrall, Merrel, Merrell, Merrill, Meryle, Meryll.

MESSINA (Latin) Middle.

MIA (Italian) Mine. Notables: Actress Mia Farrow.

MICHAELA (Hebrew) Who is like God? Feminine version of Michael. Variations: Makaela, Micaela, Mical, Micala, Michael, Michaella, Michal, Michala, Mickaula, Mikaela, Mikayla, Mikella, Mikelle, Mychaela.

MICHELLE (French) Who is like God? Notables: Singer Michelle Branch; actress Michelle Pfeiffer. Variations: Michele, Mishell, Mishelle.

MICKI (American) Short form of Michaela or Michelle. Variations: Mickee, Mickey, Micky, Miki, Mikki.

MIDGE (English) Form of Margaret.

MIDORI (Japanese) Green.

MIGNON (French) Petite. Variations: Mignonette, Minyon.

MILA (Slavic) Loved by the people. Notables: Actresses Milla Jovovich and Mila Kunis. Variations: Milla.

MILADA (Czech) My love. Variations: Mila.

MILAGROS (Spanish) Miracle. Variations: Milagro, Milagrosa.

MILANA (Italian) From Milan, Italy.

MILDRED (English) Tender strength. Variations: Mildrid.

MILENA (Czech) Grace. Variations: Milada, Miladena, Miladka, Milana, Milanka, Milenka, Milka, Miluse, Miluska, Mlada, Mladena, Mladka, Mladuska.

MILETA (German) Generous.

MILLICENT (German) Born to power. Variations: Melicent, Meliscent, Mellicent, Milicent, Milley, Milli.

MILLIE (English) Short form of Millicent. Variations: Mili, Mille, Millee, Milly.

MIMI (French) Form of Miriam or Marie. Notables: Actress Mimi Rogers. Variations: Mim, Mimsie.

MINA (German) Protector. Short form of Wilhelmena. Variations: Mena, Minah.

MINDY (English) Short form of Melinda. Notables: Country singer Mindy McCready. Variations: Mindee, Mindi, Mindie.

MINERVA (Latin) Wise. The Roman goddess of wisdom.

MINETTA (English) Feminine nickname of William; (French) Faithful defender. Variations: Minette, Minna.

MING (Chinese) Tomorrow; shiny.

MINNA (German) Short form of Wilhelmina.

MINNIE (English) Short form of Minerva or Wilhelmina. Notables: Actress Minnie Driver. Variations: Mini, Minni, Minny.

MIRA (Spanish) To gaze. Notables: Actress Mira Sorvino.

MIRABEL (Latin) Wonderful. Variations: Mirabell, Mirabella, Mirabelle.

MIRACLE (Latin) Marvel.

MIRANDA (Latin) Admirable. Notables: Actress Miranda Richardson. Variations: Maranda, Meranda, Mira, Myranda, Randa, Randee, Randene, Randey, Randi, Randie, Randy.

MIREILLE (French) To admire. Variations: Mirela, Mirella, Mirelle.

MIRENA (Hawaiian) Beloved. Variations: Milena.

MIRIAM (Hebrew) Bitterness. Variations: Mariam, Merian, Miri, Miriama, Miriem, Mirriam, Mirrian, Miryam, Myriam.

MISHA (Russian) Form of Michaela. Notables: Actress Mischa Barton. Variations: Mischa.

MISSY (English) Short form of Melissa. Notables: Singer Missy Elliot. Variations: Missee, Missey, Missi, Missie.

MISTY (English) In a mist. Variations: Mistee, Misti, Mistie, Mysti, Mysty.

MITZI (German) Form of Mary. Notables: Actress Mitzi Gaynor. Variations: Mitzee, Mitzie, Mitzy.

MO (English) Short form of Maureen.

MODESTY (Latin) Modesty. Variations: Modesta, Modestia, Modestina, Modestine.

MOESHA (African-American) Drawn from water. Variations: Moeshia.

MOIRA (Irish) Pure. Variations: Moirah, Moire, Moirin.

MOLLY (English) Form of Mary. Notables: Actress Molly Ringwald. Variations: Molli, Mollie.

MONA (Irish) Noble. Notables: DaVinci subject Mona Lisa. Variations: Mony.

MONDAY (English) Day of the week.

MONICA (Latin) Adviser or nun; (Greek) Solitary. Notables: White House intern Monica Lewinsky. Variations: Monika, Monique.

MONIQUE (French) Form of Monica.

MONTANA (Spanish) Mountain. Variations: Montanna.

MORELA (Polish) Apricot.

MORGAN (Welsh) Great and bright. Notables: Actress Morgan Fairchild. Variations: Morgana, Morganna, Morganne, Morgen.

MORWENNA (Welsh) Maiden. Variations: Morwen, Morwynna.

MURIEL (Irish) Bright as the sea. Notables: Writer Muriel Spark. Variations: Muirgheal, Murial, Muriell, Murielle.

MURPHY (Irish) Sea warrior.

MYRA (Latin) Scented oil. Feminine version of Myron. Variations: Murah, Myria, Myriah.

MYRNA (Irish) Beloved. Notables: Actress Myrna Loy. Variations: Merna, Mirna, Muirna.

MYRTLE (English) Plant. Variations: Myrta, Myrtilla.

MYSTIQUE (French) Mysterious. Variations: Mistique, Misty, Mystica.