Baby-names
Mason
Mason is a name of English origin, derived from an occupational surname meaning ‘stoneworker’ or ‘builder’.
Mason Meaning Stoneworker, Builder
Historical Significance Mason has been used as a given name since the 19th century, but it saw a significant rise in popularity in the early 21st century, becoming a top 10 name in the United States.
Fun Fact The name Mason experienced a dramatic increase in popularity after Kourtney Kardashian chose it for her son in 2009.
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Baby-names
Mateo
Mateo is a masculine name of Spanish origin. It is derived from the Hebrew name Mattityahu, meaning ‘gift of God’, and is the Spanish form of Matthew.
Mateo Meaning Gift of God
Historical Significance Mateo has been steadily rising in popularity in the United States since the 1990s, reflecting the growing Hispanic influence on American culture.
Fun Fact Mateo entered the top 100 most popular boys’ names in the United States for the first time in 2012 and has been climbing ever since.
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Baby-names
Matthew
Matthew is a masculine name derived from the Hebrew name ‘Mattityahu’, meaning ‘gift of Yahweh’. It gained popularity through its association with the apostle and evangelist Matthew in the New Testament.
Matthew Meaning Gift of God
Historical Significance Matthew has been a popular name in English-speaking countries since the Middle Ages and remains widely used today.
Fun Fact Matthew was one of the top 3 most popular boys’ names in the United States throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
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Baby-names
Maverick
Maverick is a masculine name of American origin. It comes from the word maverick, which originally referred to unbranded cattle and later came to mean an independent or non-conformist person.
Maverick Meaning Independent, non-conformist
Historical Significance The term ‘maverick’ comes from Samuel Maverick, a Texas rancher who didn’t brand his cattle. The name gained popularity as a given name in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
Fun Fact The popularity of the name Maverick surged after the release of the movie ‘Top Gun’ in 1986, where Tom Cruise’s character had the call sign ‘Maverick’.
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Baby-names
Maya
Maya is a feminine name with multiple origins. It has roots in Sanskrit, Greek, and Hebrew, each with its own meaning.
Maya Meaning Illusion (Sanskrit), Good mother (Greek), Water (Hebrew)
Historical Significance Maya has been used in various cultures for centuries. In Hinduism, Maya refers to the illusion of the material world. It gained popularity in Western countries in the late 20th century.
Fun Fact Maya is also the name of an ancient Mesoamerican civilization known for its advanced mathematics and astronomy.
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Baby-names
Melody
Melody is a feminine name of Greek origin. It comes from the Greek words ‘melos’ meaning song and ‘aeido’ meaning to sing. The name literally means ‘song’ or ‘music’ and has been consistently popular among parents who appreciate its musical connotations and gentle, lyrical quality. Melody evokes feelings of harmony, beauty, and artistic expression.
Melody Meaning Song, music
Historical Significance The name Melody became popular in English-speaking countries during the 20th century, particularly in the 1940s and 1950s with the rise of musical theater and popular music.
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Baby-names
Mia
Mia is a feminine name with multiple origins. It can be a short form of Maria (Hebrew), Miriam (Hebrew), or Amelia (Germanic). In Italian, Mia means ‘mine’ or ‘my’.
Mia Meaning Mine or Bitter or Beloved
Historical Significance Mia has gained significant popularity since the late 20th century, especially in English-speaking countries.
Fun Fact Mia entered the top 100 most popular girls’ names in the United States in 2000 and has been in the top 10 since 2009.
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Baby-names
Micah
Micah is a unisex name of Hebrew origin, derived from the name Mikayahu, meaning ‘who is like God?’ It is traditionally a masculine name but has gained popularity as a feminine name in recent years. Micah is associated with strength, wisdom, and spirituality, making it appealing to parents seeking a name with deep roots and significant meaning.
Micah Meaning Who is like God?
Historical Significance Micah is the name of an important prophet in the Hebrew Bible, known for his advocacy for social justice and ethical behavior.
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Baby-names
Michael
Michael is a masculine name of Hebrew origin meaning ‘who is like God’. It has religious significance as it refers to the Archangel Michael.
Michael Meaning Who is like God
Historical Significance The Archangel Michael is a significant figure in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.
Fun Fact Michael has been one of the most popular names in the United States for decades.
Literature Reference Michael is featured in many religious texts, including the Bible, and literature like ‘Paradise Lost’ by John Milton.
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Baby-names
Mila
Mila is a feminine name with Slavic origins, often used as a diminutive of names ending in ‘-mila’ such as Ludmila or Milena.
Mila Meaning Dear one, gracious
Historical Significance The name Mila has gained popularity in Western countries in the early 21st century.
Fun Fact Mila entered the top 100 most popular names for girls in the United States for the first time in 2009.
Literature Reference Mila 18 is a novel by Leon Uris, named after the headquarters of the Jewish resistance in the Warsaw ghetto.
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