Dog names that start with M
M is the letter of the very safe choice. Max has sat near the top of the dog-name charts since the 1980s and Milo has spent the last few years climbing over him, so if you pick from the front of this list you are choosing a name that thousands of dogs answer to. That isn’t a criticism. Popular names are popular because they’re short, they carry, and no neighbour has to ask you to repeat them.
If you want the M sound without the queue at the vet’s, the second half is where to look. Merlin, Mabel, Miso and Meatball all keep that soft opening hum, which is the bit dogs respond to, and none of them will get you three heads turning at once. Twenty-four names below with a line each on why they land.
Max The default dog name for forty years running. Short, loud, unkillable.
Milo Softer than Max and currently everywhere, for good reason.
Molly Sweet-natured on paper and usually in person too.
Maggie A bit of grit under the charm. Suits a farm dog and a flat dog equally.
Marley Trouble with an excellent soundtrack.
Murphy Whatever can go wrong will, and he'll be standing in the middle of it.
Mochi Squishy, round and best in small servings.
Moose For the one who grew a great deal more than the shelter predicted.
Maple Warm red-brown, and a bit sweet if you get to know her.
Miso Salty, comforting, and improves everything it's added to.
Want an M name that isn't Max? Show the app his photo and it will suggest ones nobody at the park is already using. Get the app
Merlin Ancient, whiskery and clearly working on something.
Mabel Straight out of a 1920s parlour, complete with disapproving stare.
Monty Dapper, slightly ridiculous, wears a jumper without complaint.
Mocha Brown with a lighter swirl through it, and permanently over-caffeinated.
Millie Small, quick and always underfoot.
Magnus Latin for great. He is roughly forty centimetres tall.
Mango Golden, messy, and sweeter than expected.
Mouse The quiet one who somehow gets everywhere in the house.
Muffin Round, warm, and has heard she should be eating less.
Mars Rust-red and a long way from settling down.
Maverick Ignores recall, calls it improvisation.
Meatball Compact, round and single-minded about dinner.
Misty Pale grey and slightly hard to focus on in the early morning.
Mo One syllable, endlessly repeatable, works from three streets away.
