The 50 Best Dog Names That Start With M

Naming your dog can be a rather daunting task. After all, your dog will ideally carry the name you choose for them for their entire life! But this doesn’t have to be as nerve-wracking as you probably think. If you’re struggling to come up with 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 are sure to give you at least a few ideas.

1. Max

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

3. Morty

A variation of the name Mortimer, this name evokes animated TV show Rick and Morty as well as meaning “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 actually a short form of Michael, which has 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

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 actually rather elegant.

9. Marshmallow

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

10. Miley

Miley Cyrus fans are sure to love this simple yet fun name that works for both people and pets!

11. Martin

This Latin name is inspired by Mars, the Roman god of war. It’s a simple name with a quite intense background.

12. Maisie/Maisy

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, making it 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 actually 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 near and dear to your heart.

20. Mako

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

21. Midas

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

22. Moe

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

23. Monty

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

24. Margaret/Marge

This name could be inspired by Marge from 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 very well.

27. Moon

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 in more recent years it has become gender neutral. It comes from the Old Welsh name “Morcant,” meaning “protector of the sea.”

32. Maddie

This pretty name (alternatively spelled Maddy) is a shortened form of the names Madeleine, Madison, and Madelyn, all of which have a wide range of varying spellings, giving you a lot of 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 actually 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

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

36. Midnight

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

37. Mia

The name “Mia” has a wide range of origins, mostly being 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, the name “Margaret” means “pearl.”

39. Mac

This short and sweet name is quite popular in the United Kingdom, among both people and pets. It’s actually 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 a variety of 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

For dogs with endless spunk and vigor, the lively name Moxie is ideal.

43. Mint

Yes, it’s yet another food-inspired name. This time it’s an aromatic herb with somewhere 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 are sure to love this dark and mysterious name that actually means “productive of harm or evil.”

45. Magic

For pet owners who love an enchanted vibe, this simple yet, well, 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 actually has various origins as well as a rich background and history. Most commonly, it’s an Old English surname that means “woodland clearing.”

47. Menthe

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

48. Monet

Continuing the French theme with our M dog names, this French surname instantly brings to mind impressionist painter Claude Monet. It’s artsy, cultured, and short 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 French origin and actually means “little blackbird.”

50. Magnolia

This floral name is unique and beautiful. What’s more, you could potentially shorten it to “Maggie” if you’d like.

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