Names like Matthew, Michael, Mason, and Mark are commonplace these days. But, there are a crop of m boy names unique to this generation that parents have begun using more and more in recent years. If you want to honor tradition by keeping the M initial, but don’t want to box yourself in with perennial favorite appellations, there are so many options for you to discover.
We at Mamas Uncut have written many, many lists about baby names and we combed through our catalog to find some of the most evocative and unique choices for baby boys. These m boy names uniquely fit our current moment and feel both fresh and lively, not at all dusty and dated. If you’re looking for some truly impressive appellations that you don’t hear every day, you’ve come to the right place because we’re about to deliver some M-peccable your way!
Check Out the M Boy Names Unique to Little Boys Today!
Merlin
Merlin is a splendid Welsh name that means “sea fortress.” The name was moderately popular in the 1930s and 40s in the US but is rarely used today. This wizard name is a fun one that we wish more parents would choose for their little boys.
Mako
Mako is a gender-neutral Japanese name that is often a shortened form of Makoto for boys. The name’s meaning changes depending on the kanji used to build it, but most often it means “sincerity.” We think it’s one of the m boy names unique to today’s parents and their sensibilities.
Montague
Montague is a name of French origin that means “pointy hill.” Yes, it’s a Shakesperean name associated with Romeo & Juliet which could explain why the name is much more popular in the UK than in the US today. This charmer has a lot going for it so don’t sleep on it!
Manu
Manu is the Finnish form of the name Magnus which comes from Latin and means “greatest.” It’s one of the m boy names unique enough that it just might be the greatest!
Midnight
Midnight is an evocative possibility made known by Nicole Richie and Joel Madden who chose it as a middle name for one of their children. It makes for a beautiful and dramatic appellation that’s perfect if you also want a gender-neutral name.
Merritt
A vintage favorite that’s poised to make a comeback is Merritt which was last popular in the US at the turn of the 20th century. The name comes from Old English as a habitational name, meaning “boundary gate.” Emmy winner Merritt Wever is helping to popularize the name among baby girls but for boys, it’s yet to take hold. You can change that!
Macsen
Like Manu, Macsen is another variant form of Magnus. Macsen hails from Wales and also means “greatest.” Macsen Wledig is another name for the Roman emperor Magnus Maximus, who played an important role in Welsh history. If you’ve got Welsh heritage, jump on it!
Mael
Mael is a French and Breton name that once belonged to a 5fth century Breton saint. Mael rhymes with Lyle and sounds like MY-el. The appellation is translated to mean “chief” or “prince.” Unfortunately, the name has never been popular in the US.
Mercer
Mercer was last popular in the US in 1881 as a given name! That makes it one of the m boy names uniquely situated to mount a comeback today. Mercer comes from French and means “merchant.”
Mads
Mads is a perennial favorite in Northern Europe especially popular in the Nordic countries. Mads is pronounced MAHS (do not pronounce the d!). The name is Danish in origin and means “gift of God.”
Maceo
You’ve heard Matthew, Matteo, and Mattias but have you ever heard the name Maceo? Maceo is a Spanish variant of Matthew that also means “gift of God.” As you can tell, the Hebrew root that gives us Matthew is near-universally loved. The last time Maceo was popular in the US was in the early 20th century. That makes it one of the m boy names uniquely positioned to be popular among parents today! It’s totally due for a comeback!
Malus
Malus is one of the m boy names unique for parents today as it is very old, from Latin, meaning “apples.” Malus does sound like “malice” so be prepared to correct people and if that seems unseemly, just skip this appellation altogether. We, however, hear a lot of potential in this name as an alternative to Marcus or Magnus.
Man
Revolutionary painter, photographer, and filmmaker Man Ray sported this fantastic name that has roots in English as an occupational name that means “advisor.” Further, you will hear Man used as a shortened form of Manuel which could also appeal to you.
Milano
Not just a name for a cookie, Milano is such a beautiful name for boys from Italian that simply means “from Milan.” Milano is one of the m boy names uniquely favored by parents today that is currently trending on baby name databases like Nameberry.
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Moise
Moise is the Egyptian form of Moses that also means “delivered from water.” American football player Moise Fokou is currently helping spread this name to American ears. The name is currently more popular in the UK but we hope it becomes a favorite here as well!
Mousa
Did you think we were done with Egyptian names? Thing again! Mousa is yet another Egyptian variant form of Moisa and Moses that also means “delivered from water.” Moise is the more popular of the two so if you want a really obscure and unique name it could be the perfect option for your son!
Montgomery
Montgomery is an English name from French/Norman origins that means “manpower.” This name was once a mildly popular option in the US but has unfortunately not seen the favor it once did for 60 years. This is one of the m boy names unique enough to have an evocative nickname in Monty!
Moss
Well, we’ve got yet another name that’s Moses-related, which we’re not mad about! Moss is an English surname and given name that means “descendent of Moses.” Further, the name is a nature name that refers to the thick green cover found on forest floors.
Miro
Miro comes from Slavic origins as a name that means “peace” and “world.” It’s the perfect, unique alternative to Milo with a winning meaning which we know would sound distinguished and stylish for an American boy today.
Massimo
In Latin, you will find Maximo but the Italian language brought us Massimo. Both names mean “the greatest.” Not bad, right? For parents who love the name Mario but want more m boy names unique to Italian, this could be the perfect alternative for you!
Macaulay
Actor Macaulay Culkin brought attention to this old Scottish standard. Macaulay means “son of righteousness.” Although Culkin made the name a household one, the name never took off. This makes it one of the m boy names uniquely known but criminally underutilized.
Micaiah
Pronounced mick-KYE-ah, Micaiah comes from Hebrew and is related to Michael. However, Micaiah is a gender-neutral option that’s used for both in the Bible. Like Michael, Micaiah means “who is like God?”
Monroe
Once an extremely popular name in the US for boys, Monroe fell out of favor in the 1970s and has yet to return. You can make a difference by choosing one of the m boy names uniquely situated for a comeback today.
Milos
Miles and Milo are favorites among parents in the US today, but you can branch out with the Slavis form of the name, Milos. In Czech, the name is often pronounced MEE-losh, but we have also heard it said MEE-lows. Ultimately, you get to decide the direction you want to take it! The name means “lover of glory.”
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Mackay
A Scottish name with Gaelic origins, Mackay has a peppy sound that’s completely approachable. Mackay means “son of Aodh.” This can also be translated to mean “son of fire.” You hear Mackay as a surname fairly often in the US but it has gone virtually unused as a given one. Let’s fix that!
There you go! What did you think of the m boy names unique parents are using today? We hope you found some truly remarkable names that might work for your child. Choosing a baby name is already hard but when you’re trying to narrow it down by letter it can feel like your options are limited. We hope these m boy names uniquely find their way into your heart and that you will choose one for your son! Happy baby name hunting!