Girl Names
Beautiful, strong, and distinctive names for your daughter. Dive into the meaning, origin, and history behind each one.
Meabh
“Intoxicating”
Meabh is the original Irish spelling of Maeve, from the Old Irish meaning she who intoxicates or the intoxicating one, connected to concepts of allure, sovereignty, and divine power. Queen Meabh of Connacht is one of the most formidable and fascinating figures in Irish mythology, a warrior queen who commands armies and challenges conventions of feminine power. The name has been consistently popular in Ireland across centuries and has seen a major revival in its authentic Irish spelling.
Meadhb
“She who intoxicates”
Meadhb derives from an Old Irish root meaning intoxicating or she who intoxicates, connected to the ancient Proto-Celtic word for mead, the fermented honey drink that played a central role in Celtic ritual and sovereignty ceremonies. The name suggests irresistible allure, power, and the heady authority of sovereignty. Its most famous bearer is Queen Meadhb of Connacht, one of the most powerful figures in Irish mythology.
Meadhbh
“She who intoxicates”
Meadhbh is the original Irish spelling of the name more commonly anglicised as Maeve. It derives from the Old Irish word "medb" meaning "intoxicating" or "she who intoxicates", evoking a figure of irresistible allure and commanding presence. This form preserves the authentic Gaelic orthography and is favoured by parents who wish to honour the Irish language in its purest written form. Despite its seemingly complex spelling, the name is pronounced simply as "Mayv", and it carries all the fierce, regal energy of its legendary bearer, Queen Medb of Connacht.
Meadow
“Open grassland field”
Meadow is a serene and evocative nature name that conjures images of open countryside, wildflowers, and tranquility, appealing strongly to parents drawn to the booming nature-name trend. It has a gentle, unhurried quality and suits a free-spirited, creative personality. The name gained wider cultural visibility through 'The Sopranos' character Meadow Soprano, which helped shift it from unusual to aspirational.
Meadowsweet
“Fragrant English wildflower name”
Meadowsweet is a rare and poetic nature name with a distinctly English pastoral character, conjuring images of wildflower fields and countryside. It sits alongside names like Briar and Clover in the revival of botanical names, appealing to parents seeking something truly unusual. Though not commonly used as a given name historically, it has gained quiet attention in nature-naming circles.
Mechthild
“Mighty in battle”
Mechthild is a medieval German name composed of 'maht,' meaning might or power, and 'hild,' meaning battle, a combination that paints a portrait of formidable, warrior-like strength in a woman. Far from a purely martial name, however, it was borne by some of the most profound mystical and intellectual women of the medieval world, who channeled that inner strength into spiritual vision and written expression. Mechthild carries the rare quality of being simultaneously ancient and fresh, a name that feels discovered rather than invented.
Mechthilde
“Mighty battle”
Mechthilde is a variant of the medieval Germanic name Mechthild, composed of the elements maht meaning might or power and hild meaning battle. The combination creates a name of formidable warrior energy, characteristic of the strong feminine name tradition of the early medieval Germanic world. Saint Mechthild of Hackeborn, a thirteenth-century mystic, is among the most celebrated bearers of this ancient name.
Mechtilde
“Mighty in battle”
Mechtilde is the French form of the Germanic name Mechthild or Matilda, composed of the Old High German elements maht, meaning might or power, and hild, meaning battle. The full meaning is thus mighty in battle or powerful warrior. The name was borne by two celebrated medieval mystic saints, Mechtilde of Hackeborn and Mechtilde of Magdeburg, who are among the most important spiritual writers of the 13th century.
Medousa
“guardian or she who rules”
Medousa derives from the ancient Greek verb μέδειν (medein), meaning to guard, protect, or rule, making it a name of authority and power rather than, as its later reputation might suggest, purely of monstrosity. In Greek mythology, Medousa was one of three Gorgon sisters, the only mortal one among them, whose gaze turned onlookers to stone. Her story was later interpreted as a myth of female power punished and transformed, and she has become one of the most analyzed and reclaimed figures in feminist classical scholarship.
Medwen
“Mead-white or pale as mead”
Medwen is thought to combine the Welsh element 'med', relating to mead (the honey-based drink), with 'wen', meaning white, fair, or blessed. The name evokes a golden-white luminosity, like the colour of mead, combined with the grace suggested by 'wen'. It is a rare, ancient-feeling Welsh name with a softly poetic quality.
Meena
“Fish or precious gem”
Meena is a warm, melodic name that has become a familiar given name in English-speaking countries, particularly within British Asian communities. It carries an elegant simplicity that crosses cultural boundaries with ease, feeling both exotic and approachable. The name has seen steady use in the UK and other English-speaking nations since the mid-twentieth century.
Meera
“Prosperous, ocean”
Meera carries meanings of 'prosperous' and 'ocean' in Sanskrit, evoking both material abundance and the boundless depth of the sea. It is also indelibly linked to the legendary devotional poetess Meera Bai.
Megan
“Pearl”
Megan is a Welsh diminutive of Margaret, ultimately deriving from the Greek "margarites" meaning "pearl." Though it began as a pet form, Megan has long since established itself as an independent name in its own right. It carries a friendly, approachable warmth that has made it beloved across the English-speaking world and beyond.
Meghana
“Cloud, life-giving rain cloud”
Meghana is derived from the Sanskrit word 'megha,' meaning 'cloud' or 'rain cloud.' It poetically evokes the life-giving monsoon rains and is associated with freshness, abundance, and natural beauty.
Megumi
“Blessing or grace”
Megumi means blessing, grace, or divine favour in Japanese. The name is a profound expression of gratitude for the gift of a child, conveying that the child herself is a blessing to the family. It is one of the most heartfelt and warmly regarded Japanese girls' names, radiating deep thankfulness and a sense that the child carries benevolence within her very name.
Mehetabel
“God makes happy”
Mehetabel derives from the Hebrew 'Meheitav'el,' meaning 'God makes happy' or 'whom God benefits.' It combines 'metav' (good, beneficial) with 'El' (God).
Mei
“Beautiful, plum blossom”
Mei carries the dual meaning of beauty and the plum blossom, one of the most cherished flowers in Chinese culture. The plum tree blooms in late winter, symbolising resilience, purity, and the promise of renewal. As a name, Mei bestows both aesthetic grace and quiet inner strength.
Meifang
“Beautiful fragrance”
Meifang is a Chinese feminine name composed of two characters: mei, meaning beautiful, and fang, meaning fragrant or aromatic. Together they evoke a beauty that is both visual and sensory, suggesting grace, elegance, and the delicate scent of flowers. The combination is a classic one in Chinese naming tradition, often associated with plum blossoms and the natural world. The name carries a traditional, poetic quality that has been beloved across many generations.
Meifeng
“Beautiful phoenix”
Composed of 美 (měi) meaning 'beautiful' or 'lovely' and 凤 (fèng) meaning 'phoenix,' Meifeng evokes the image of a beautiful phoenix. The phoenix in Chinese culture symbolizes grace, virtue, rebirth, and feminine excellence, making this a highly auspicious feminine name.
Meike
“Beloved pearl”
Meike is a Low German and Frisian diminutive derived from either Maria or Margarete. If derived from Maria, it carries the meaning beloved or wished-for child. If derived from Margarete, it means pearl. In practice, both meanings are associated with the name, giving it the combined sense of a beloved pearl. It is particularly popular in the northern German regions of Schleswig-Holstein, Friesland, and the coastal lowlands, where Low German and Frisian naming traditions have been preserved.
Meilin
“Beautiful jade”
Meilin combines the characters for beautiful and jade or forest. The mei character evokes natural beauty in its fullest sense, encompassing loveliness, excellence, and all things fine and admirable. The lin character suggests either jade of the finest quality or a forest of trees, both images of natural abundance and purity. Together the name paints a picture of beauty that is organic, lasting, and deeply natural.
Meiling
“Beautiful spirit”
Meiling is a Chinese feminine name combining characters for beauty and spirit, soul, or tinkling jade, depending on the kanji chosen. The most common rendering uses 'mei' (美, beautiful) and 'ling' (灵, spirit, soul, or magical quality), though 'ling' may also be written as 玲 (tinkling of jade), giving the name the sense of beautiful and delicate as jade chimes. Both readings carry associations of refined feminine beauty, elegance, and an inner luminosity. Meiling became internationally recognised primarily through Soong Mei-ling, known as Madame Chiang Kai-shek, whose global prominence in the mid-20th century made her name one of the most recognised Chinese women's names in the Western world. In Chinese communities worldwide, Meiling remains a classic name evoking grace, beauty, and cultural pride.
Meinir
“Tall, slender maiden”
Meinir is composed of the Welsh elements 'main' (slender, fine) and a suffix suggesting a maiden or young woman. In Welsh poetry, 'meinir' is used as a general term for a beautiful, graceful young woman, giving the name a deeply lyrical quality. It feels both ancient and delicate, rooted in the poetic traditions of Wales.
Meital
“Dew drops”
Meital is a modern Hebrew name composed of the elements mei (waters of) and tal (dew), meaning dew drops or waters of the dew. Dew carries deep symbolic resonance in biblical Hebrew poetry, representing divine blessing, renewal, and life-giving grace in an arid land. The name has a delicate, poetic quality and a soft sound that suits its imagery, making it a cherished choice in Israel.
Meixian
“Beautiful immortal, celestial fairy”
Formed from 美 (měi) meaning 'beautiful' and 仙 (xiān) meaning 'immortal,' 'fairy,' or 'celestial being,' Meixian paints the picture of a beautiful celestial fairy. It suggests otherworldly grace, purity, and a spirit that transcends the ordinary.
Meixiang
“Beautiful fragrance”
Meixiang combines 美 (měi) meaning 'beautiful' or 'lovely' with 香 (xiāng) meaning 'fragrant' or 'sweet-smelling.' Together the name evokes the image of a beautiful fragrance, suggesting a person of refined grace who leaves a lasting and pleasant impression.
Meiyun
“Beautiful drifting cloud”
Meiyun is composed of 美 (měi) meaning 'beautiful' and 云 (yún) meaning 'cloud.' The name conjures the image of beautiful drifting clouds, suggesting a free-spirited, graceful nature and an ethereal quality associated with the sky and natural beauty.
Melangell
“Sweet angel”
Melangell is one of Wales's most beloved and distinctive saints' names, combining the Welsh element 'mel' meaning sweet or honey with 'angel', creating the meaning sweet angel. Saint Melangell is the patron saint of hares and small animals, and her shrine at Pennant Melangell in the Tanat Valley in Powys is one of the oldest pilgrimage sites in Britain. She is said to have protected a hare from a hunting prince, leading to a miraculous conversion and the founding of a monastic community. The name is rare and deeply meaningful.
Melanie
“Dark, from the Greek for black”
Melanie derives from the Greek 'melanos', meaning dark or black. Far from sombre, the name has been associated with beauty, depth, and mystery across its long history. It was borne by two Roman saints, Saint Melania the Elder and Saint Melania the Younger, both celebrated for their piety and charitable works. The French form Melanie has given the name a soft, romantic quality.
Melanthe
“dark flower or black blossom”
Melanthe combines two ancient Greek words: μέλας (melas), meaning black or dark, and ἄνθος (anthos), meaning flower or blossom. Together they create the image of a dark flower, not a forbidding or negative image in ancient Greek thought, but rather an evocation of the rare beauty of dark-petaled flowers such as the violet, iris, or dark anemone that were prized across the ancient Mediterranean. The name suggests depth, mystery, and a beauty that is found in shadow rather than in obvious brightness.
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