The 50 Best Dog Names That Start With M

Written by Hailey Pruett
Published: December 31, 2023
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Naming your dog can be a rather daunting task. After all, your dog will ideally carry the name you choose for their entire life! But this doesn’t have to be as nerve-wracking as you probably think. If you struggle to find the perfect name for your pup, we’re here to help! Below are 50 of the all-time best dog names that start with the letter M. What’s more, they’re inspired by an incredibly diverse range of topics and themes that will give you at least a few ideas.

1. Max

Portrait of a Happy Young Family Couple with Kids and a Golden Retriever Sitting on a Grass at Home. Cheerful People Looking at Camera and Smiling. Focus on a Dog Walking Away.

Max is popular for many reasons: it’s short, sweet, and easy to remember/pronounce.

©gorodenkoff/iStock via Getty Images

We’ll start things off with a classic dog name (as well as one of the most popular!). It’s derived from the Latin Maximillian, meaning “the greatest.”

2. Milo

This name instantly brings to mind The Adventures of Milo and Otis. Technically, Otis was the dog in the story, but Milo is still an adorable dog name.

3. Morty

A variation of the name Mortimer, this name evokes the animated TV show Rick and Morty and means “still water” or “dead sea.”

4. Missy

This short form of the name Melissa is simple and adorably sweet.

5. Mickey

This name instantly brings to mind Disney’s Mickey Mouse, but it’s also a cute dog name. It’s a short form of Michael with Hebrew origins and means “he who resembles or is like God.”

6. Millie

This name can be short for Mildred or Millicent and means “gentle strength.”

7. Mischief

Beautyful adorable young basset hound smiling with happy sitting in a field of dandelion with blurry background full around of yellow flowers and green leave and tree ,spring season in europe,.

Mischief can be a great gender-neutral name for playful, curious, and mischievous dogs.

©praneem79/Shutterstock.com

This term for “playful misbehavior” is quite a fitting name for troublemaking pups you can’t help but love.

8. Malfoy

Though it brings to mind Draco Malfoy from the Harry Potter series, this M dog name is rather elegant.

9. Marshmallow

Food-inspired names are always delightful. This name can be shortened to Marshie, which is convenient and cute.

10. Miley

Miley Cyrus fans will love this simple yet fun name that works for people and pets!

11. Martin

Mars, the Roman god of war, inspires this Latin name. It’s a simple name with quite an intense background.

12. Maisie/Maisy

Border collie and Golden Retriever at doghouse

There is a wide range of great Scottish dog names, with Maisie being particularly adorable.

©Jaroslav Frank/iStock via Getty Images

The name Maisie is of Scottish origin and can mean “little pearl.” It’s also a diminutive form of Margaret.

13. Magic

This fun M dog name is straightforward but whimsical, and it’s gender-neutral, too.

14. Malcolm

This Scottish name is quite regal, fitting for more elegant-looking dog breeds.

15. Marnie

This name is a shorter form of the Latin name Marina. It can mean “from the sea” or “to rejoice.”

16. Maddox

Though it sounds masculine at first, this name can be gender-neutral. It’s a Welsh name that means “son of Madoc.” The name “Madoc” comes from the Welsh word for “mad,” and it means “fortunate.”

17. Maple

This sweet-sounding name is ideal for a dog with a charming personality.

18. Meadow

For some, this pretty name might bring to mind Meadow Soprano of the hit TV series The Sopranos. It’s also a word for a plot of grassy land.

19. Mabel

The name Mabel comes from the Latin word “amabilis,” meaning “lovable” or “dear.” It’s a perfect name for a pup dear to your heart.

20. Mako

The name Mako might bring to mind a Mako shark, but it’s a Japanese name meaning “sincerity” or “truthful.”

21. Midas

Purebred Dog Chow Chow

If your pup has a rich, golden coat, why not consider the Greek mythology-inspired name Midas?

©VKarlov/iStock via Getty Images

This name evokes King Midas of Greek mythology. It’s great for dogs with golden coats.

22. Moe

Moe (or Mo) can be gender-neutral but swings more masculinely. Regardless, it’s a super cute and simple M dog name.

23. Monty

This masculine name is short for “Montgomery” or “Montague.”

24. Margaret/Marge

Marge could inspire this name from the animated TV series The Simpsons. Like one of the other short forms of this name listed earlier, it means “little pearl.”

25. Mowgli

If you’re a fan of The Jungle Book, this M dog name might be perfect for your pup.

26. Moody

If your dog is prone to sudden mood swings, this name might suit them well.

27. Moon

Amazing beautiful big moon in the night sky with stars and winter forest with snow. Winter holidays and night landscape. Snow falls

Naming your dog after

the moon

might not be for everyone, but it’s one of our favorite M dog names.

©Alones/Shutterstock.com

This simple yet celestial name is gender-neutral and elegant.

28. Martha

This name has both Latin and Ancient Greek origins. It can mean “the mistress” or “the lady.”

29. Margarita

This fun name is derived from the Greek word “margaritari,” meaning “pearl.” Interestingly, its true origins are in Persia, from where Europeans borrowed the name.

30. McCoy

This name might bring to mind Leonard McCoy or “Bones” from the Star Trek series. It’s also a very common Scottish and Irish surname meaning “Son of Aodh” (a god in Irish mythology), and it’s also an Irish word for “fire.”

31. Morgan

This name has Welsh origins. It was traditionally masculine, but it has become gender-neutral in recent years. It comes from the Old Welsh name “Morcant,” meaning “protector of the sea.”

32. Maddie

White adult dog of Pomsky breed sitting on green grass at the park

If Maddie doesn’t suit your pup, consider one of its longer forms, such as Madeleine or Madison.

©Bolyuk Studio/Shutterstock.com

This pretty name (alternatively spelled Maddy) is a shortened form of Madeleine, Madison, and Madelyn, all of which have varying spellings, giving you many potential options to have fun with.

33. Mariah

For some, the unique name “Mariah” might bring to mind hit pop singer Mariah Carey. It’s a variation of the name Maria. Interestingly, it became much more popular after Mariah Carey rose to fame in the 1990s.

34. Maggie

Also, a short form of the name Margaret, this M dog name is simple and adorable.

35. Maverick

chihuahua puppies blue and brown color. pet adoption

The name Maverick is great for dogs with independent natures, such as the

Chihuahua

.

©ElenaYakimova/Shutterstock.com

This name is a term for “a man who is independent-minded and avoids authority.” It’s certainly fitting for dogs with an independent streak!

36. Midnight

Midnight’s dark, mysterious name is great for dogs with luxurious, dark coats.

37. Mia

“Mia” has many origins, mostly a shortened form of various names (from Maria to Amelia and even Maya). It originally became popular in the United States in the 1960s and remains quite popular as a name for people, dogs, and even other types of pets.

38. Margot

This pretty name is the French version of Margaret. As we covered earlier, “Margaret” means “pearl.”

39. Mac

This short and sweet name is quite popular in the United Kingdom among both people and pets. It’s the anglicized version of the Vietnamese surname Mạc.

40. Mochi

We’ve returned to food-inspired names for this sweet moniker. It references a Japanese rice cake treat often stuffed with sweet and savory fillings.

41. Moze

Meaning “delivered from the water,” this is an Italian surname. Of course, it also makes a great dog name!

42. Moxie

The lively name Moxie is ideal for dogs with endless spunk and vigor.

43. Mint

Peppermint essential oil in a small bottle. Selective focus. nature.

If your dog has rich green eyes, perhaps the name Mint might fit them.

©Tatevosian Yana/Shutterstock.com

Yes, it’s yet another food-inspired name. It’s an aromatic herb with between 13 and 24 unique species. It’s also gender-neutral!

44. Maleficent

Though it’s a bit of a long name for some people’s tastes, Disney fans will surely love this dark and mysterious name that means “productive of harm or evil.”

45. Magic

For pet owners who love an enchanted vibe, this simple yet magical name could be perfect for your pup.

46. Marley

Though it instantly brings to mind the movie Marley and Me for many, this name has various origins and a rich background and history. Most commonly, an Oit’snglish surname means “woodland” clearing.”

47. Men” he

This name is the French translation of “mint,” an aromati” herb” (and cute M dog name) we touched on above. If you loved “Mint” but would prefer” a cute French spin, this name might be right up your alley.

48. Monet

Continuing the French theme with our M dog names, this French surname instantly brings impressionist painter Claude Monet to mind. It’s artsy, cultured, anIt’sort and simple. It can also be gender-neutral if you prefer.

49. Merlin

This magical name evokes the mythical figure in the King Arthur legend. It’s thought to be of FrIt’s origin and means “little blackbird.”

50. Magnolia

Magnolia Blossom 1

“Magnolia in bloom” is pictured here, inspiring this elegant dog name.

©Jeremy Smith/iStock via Getty Images

This floral name is unique and beautiful. Moreover, you could shorten it to Maggie if you’d like.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © gorodenkoff/iStock via Getty Images

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About the Author

Hailey "Lex" Pruett is a nonbinary writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering reptiles and amphibians. They have over five years of professional content writing experience. Additionally, they grew up on a hobby farm and have volunteered at animal shelters to gain further experience in animal care. A longtime resident of Knoxville, Tennessee, Hailey has owned and cared extensively for a wide variety of animals in their lifetime, including cats, dogs, lizards, turtles, frogs and toads, fish, chickens, ducks, horses, llamas, rabbits, goats, and more!

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