HeyName name directory

The story behind the name.

Explore 2,780 first names with short explanations from our blog. Search for a favorite or browse from A to Z.

Names: 2,780 · Page 34 of 58

8 letters · From the blog

Meredith

This name traces back to the Old Welsh name Maredudd. The linguistic root consists of "mared" (sea) and "iudd" (lord). Historically, Meredith was an exclusively male first name in Wales, but today in the English-speaking world it is predominantly given to girls.

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5 letters · From the blog

Meret

The older etymological meaning of this name family is not definitively resolved. In the German-speaking area, the name is primarily documented as a variant of Margarete (Greek for "pearl"), but some interpretations also associate it with Egyptian roots. A single broad meaning would be too imprecise here.

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6 letters · From the blog

Merida

A Latin derivation from "emerita" (the meritorious woman) is often cited for this name, which traces back to Spanish place names. A Celtic or Scottish naming history is not substantiated for this first name; it represents a modern interpretation for the Scottish film setting.

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5 letters · From the blog

Měrka

Documented as a Sorbian short form of names containing the root "měr," such as Měrosława. This Slavic root means "peace."

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5 letters · From the blog

Merle

There are two documented derivations for this name that must be explained separately. In French, the word "merle" securely means "blackbird". However, the name can also be a short form of the Celtic name Muriel, whose meaning is often interpreted as "shining sea".

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6 letters · From the blog

Merlin

The origin lies in the Welsh name Myrddin. The frequently cited translation "sea fortress" is a common interpretation; the exact historical etymology remains complex.

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4 letters · From the blog

Mert

This given name comes from Persian and means "manly" or "courageous." Thanks to its brevity, it pairs well with long surnames.

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6 letters · From the blog

Meryem

This is the documented Turkish and Arabic form of the name Maria. The original Egyptian-Hebrew word meaning of this name family has not been conclusively resolved historically; "the beloved" or "the rebellious one" is often cited.

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3 letters · From the blog

Mia

Mia is documented as a short form of Maria. The exact meaning of Maria (and thus also of Mia) is not definitively established historically, but traces back to Hebrew. Common interpretations are "the beloved" or "the rebellious". In the German-speaking area, Mia is almost always pronounced with two syllables (Mi-a).

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7 letters · From the blog

Michael

A Hebrew name phrased as a rhetorical question. Its documented translation is "Who is like God?".

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7 letters · From the blog

Michail

The Russian form of Michael. The Hebrew derivation is a rhetorical question meaning: "Who is like God?".

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7 letters · From the blog

Michele

The Italian form of Michael. The Hebrew root is a rhetorical question meaning "Who is like God?". Pay attention to the pronunciation here: In Italian, the "ch" is pronounced like a "k" (Mi-ke-le).

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4 letters · From the blog

Mick

Documented as an English short form of Michael. The origin is Hebrew and means "Who is like God?". Mick Jagger made this short form world-famous. As an independent first name, it feels dynamic and straightforward.

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6 letters · From the blog

Midori

This name is the direct Japanese word for the color "green." The meaning is thus established. It is frequently associated with nature and freshness.

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5 letters · From the blog

Mieke

Mieke is documented as a Dutch and Low German diminutive of Maria. The meaning of Maria itself has historically not been determined beyond doubt; "the beloved" or "the rebellious one" are often mentioned.

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4 letters · From the blog

Miel

Miel is documented as a Flemish short form of Emiel. This traces back to the Roman family name of the Aemilii.

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6 letters · From the blog

Miguel

The Spanish form of Michael. The Hebrew derivation is a rhetorical question meaning "Who is like God?".

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5 letters · From the blog

Mihai

The Romanian form of Michael. The Hebrew derivation is a rhetorical question meaning "Who is like God?".

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4 letters · From the blog

Mika

A Finnish short form of Mikael (Michael). The Hebrew derivation is a rhetorical question: "Who is like God?".

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6 letters · From the blog

Mikael

The Finnish and Swedish spelling of Michael. The Hebrew foundation of the name means "Who is like God?".

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7 letters · From the blog

Mikaela

Known through American alpine ski racer Mikaela Shiffrin. It is a feminine form of Michael. The Hebrew root means "Who is like God?". The spelling with "k" has a Nordic or Slavic feel and distinguishes itself from Michaela, which is more common in German-speaking regions.

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7 letters · From the blog

Mikołaj

The Polish form of Nicholas. The Greek root words are "nike" (victory) and "laos" (people).

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3 letters · From the blog

Mil

Mil traces back as a short form to Emile or Emil. Its origin is established: The name derives from the Latin family name of the Aemilii. The frequently mentioned translation "the eager one" is an interpretation of this family name and is not definitively settled. Mil is gentle, short, and easy to pronounce internationally.

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4 letters · From the blog

Mila

In Slavic name history, Mila is a short form of names containing the element milŭ, meaning "dear" or "beloved." In Nordic naming practices, there are further short forms, such as via Milla to Camilla or Emilia. The Slavic meaning does not automatically apply to these forms. The name is short, ends in a vowel, and is pronounced exactly as it is written.

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6 letters · From the blog

Milada

A feminine first name that, like Milan, traces back to the Slavic root "mil" (dear, graceful, gracious).

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8 letters · From the blog

Milagros

This Spanish first name derives directly from the vocabulary word milagro, which means "miracle." The name has a strong Catholic connection (Maria de los Milagros). In Spain and Latin America, it is established; in German-speaking countries, it stands out and often requires an explanation of its spelling.

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5 letters · From the blog

Milan

The Slavic name Milan belongs to the element milŭ, meaning "dear" or "gracious." Independent of this, Hindi milan, from Sanskrit milana, means "meeting" or "encounter." This etymological history is distinct from the Slavic one. A deliberate reference to the city of Milan represents yet another naming motive.

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6 letters · From the blog

Milena

A name from the Slavic linguistic area. The word base mil means "dear" or "precious."

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5 letters · From the blog

Miles

The older etymological meaning of this family of names is not definitively resolved. The name is widely associated with the Latin word "miles" (soldier), but could also trace back to Germanic or Slavic roots. Providing a single generalized meaning would be too imprecise here.

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6 letters · From the blog

Milica

The name is based on the Slavic root "mil," which means "dear," "beloved," or "gracious." Milica is a traditional Serbian name known throughout the entire Balkan region.

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4 letters · From the blog

Milo

Milo is handed down as a Germanic name form and, independently of that, as a Latin form of the Greek Milon. The original meanings are not definitively resolved. Connecting the Germanic name to Slavic milŭ, "dear," is one possible explanation.

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5 letters · From the blog

Milos

Like Milan, Milos belongs to the Slavic family of names centered around the syllable "mil." The translation "the dear one" or "the beloved" is documented. In German, some stumble over the pronunciation: the "s" at the end is pronounced as "sh" in the original (Milosh).

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5 letters · From the blog

Miloš

This name also belongs to the large family of names centered around the Slavic root "mil" (dear, beloved). It is a historically deeply rooted given name, particularly in Serbia.

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4 letters · From the blog

Mimi

An international pet form that became independent from names such as Maria, Wilhelmina, or Miriam. Its meaning depends on the respective base name.

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3 letters · From the blog

Min

This name is often translated as "quick" or "clever" when based on the character 敏. It works for both genders.

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6 letters · From the blog

Min-jun

This name is based on Hanja. The frequently cited translation "the clever and talented one" is a common interpretation based on the most frequent characters for "Min" (clever, quick) and "Jun" (talented, handsome). However, the actual meaning depends on the characters chosen individually.

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4 letters · From the blog

Mina

Mina can be a short form of names ending in -mina, such as Wilhelmina. In addition, there are independent name histories: Persian "enamel," Sanskrit "fish," and Pashto "love." None of these translations applies universally to all bearers of the name.

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6 letters · From the blog

Minato

The word root of this name means "harbor" (湊). This is a documented and frequently used spelling in Japan, which is why this meaning is considered verified.

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7 letters · From the blog

Minerva

Minerva is the Roman goddess of wisdom, tactical warfare, and craftsmanship. The name likely has Etruscan roots. A widespread interpretation draws a connection to the Latin "mens" (mind or intellect), though this cannot be claimed as the sole, definitive meaning.

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4 letters · From the blog

Minh

Minh is a very frequently chosen boy's name (sometimes also used as a middle name). Its Sino-Vietnamese origin is established and means "bright," "shining," or "intelligent." As with Linh, the "nh" at the end is pronounced softly.

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5 letters · From the blog

Minik

The commonly cited translation for this name is "train oil" or "seal blubber", which was historically used to seal boats. This meaning is widely cited, though the exact historical nuance as a personal name is not definitively verified.

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5 letters · From the blog

Minna

Minna is documented as a short form of Wilhelmine. The Old High German origin is composed of "willio" (will) and "helm" (protection). The double N clearly distinguishes the name from Mina, where the I is pronounced long.

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4 letters · From the blog

Mino

The older word meaning is unclear; it is mostly an Italian short form of names ending in “-mino”.

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3 letters · From the blog

Mio

The frequently cited translation "the beloved" is an interpretation based on Slavic roots. The name became known in the German-speaking world primarily through Astrid Lindgren's literature. A clearly documented historical name root outside of literature is difficult to pinpoint for Mio.

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4 letters · From the blog

Mira

The Slavic Mira is a short form of names like Miroslava and belongs to the element mirŭ, "peace" or "world". Independently, the Indian Mira is connected to the Sanskrit mīra, "sea" or "ocean". There is no shared translation for these names. The name is short, easy to pronounce, and pairs well with most German surnames.

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7 letters · From the blog

Mirabel

A name with Latin roots. It traces back to the word "mirabilis," which means "admirable" or "wondrous."

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5 letters · From the blog

Miran

This name has both Slavic and Kurdish roots. In the Slavic language area, it derives from the element "mir," which stands for "peace" or "world."

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7 letters · From the blog

Miranda

Shakespeare created this name for the female lead in his play "The Tempest." It is based on the Latin word "mirandus," which is documented as "admirable."

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From a name to a shared choice

Understanding name meanings · Compare three favorites