M nicknames are made for babies: “mmm” is one of the first sounds babies make, which may be why so many languages start their word for mother with it. Here are nicknames from real names, Indian pet names, loving family words and cute baby names, with what each means.
Jump to: from real names · Indian pet names · family words · cute baby nicknames · how to choose
Nicknames that start with M from real names
The quickest way to a nickname that lasts is to shorten a real name. Many of these work for names that do not start with M at all.
| Nickname | Short for |
|---|---|
| Max | Maxwell, Maximilian, Maxine |
| Matt, Matty | Matthew |
| Mike, Mikey, Mick | Michael |
| Molly | Mary |
| Maggie, Meg | Margaret |
| Millie | Amelia, Camilla, Mildred |
| Mia | Maria |
| Maddie | Madeline, Madison |
| Mandy | Amanda |
| Manny | Manuel, Emmanuel |
| Marty | Martin |
| Mel | Melanie, Melissa |
| Mitch | Mitchell |
| Mo | Mohammed, Maurice |
| Monty | Montgomery |
| Minnie | Minerva, Wilhelmina |
Molly and Polly both began as pet forms of Mary, by the same habit of swapping sounds that turned Margaret into Meg and Peggy.
Indian pet names that start with M
Many Indian families give a child a pet name used only at home, alongside the formal name used at school.
| Pet name | About it |
|---|---|
| Munna / Munni | the classic Hindi pet names for a little boy and girl |
| Mithu | the parrot; also “sweet one”, for a chatty child |
| Monu | a common pet name for boys |
| Mintu | a playful pet name for a small child |
| Mishti | Bengali for “sweet”, a favourite for girls |
| Moni | Bengali for “gem” |
| Manu | short for many names such as Manav or Manisha |
Loving family words that start with M
These are not names, but words of affection you will hear grandparents use every day.
| Word | Language | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Munna / Munni | Hindi | “little one” |
| Mishti | Bengali | “sweet” |
| Meri jaan | Hindi, Urdu | “my life” |
| Mere laal | Hindi | “my precious boy”; lal means a dear son |
| Mol / Molu | Malayalam | “daughter” (mol), a loving way to call a little girl |
Cute baby nicknames that start with M
- Monkey – for a climber
- Muffin – warm and sweet
- Munchkin – for someone very small
- Mouse – quiet and tiny
- Moppet – an old word for a small child
- Marshmallow – soft and squishy
- Mochi – the round, soft rice cake
- Mango – sweet and sunny; very popular in India
- Moonbeam – for a night-time baby
- Mimi – short and bouncy
- Mittens – for small, warm hands
- Mini-me – for a baby who looks just like you
- Meatball – round and cuddly
- Midge – for a tiny one
How to choose a nickname that lasts
- Say it with the full name and surname. “Bean Sharma” or “Mishti Das” should sound happy, not like a joke.
- Picture them at 15. Baby-only names (Bean, Button) are lovely at home; a name built from their real name (Ben, Bella) travels to school better.
- Check how it sounds in the playground. Avoid nicknames about size or looks if they could be used for teasing later.
- Let your child have a say. From around school age, many children decide which name they want friends to use; follow their lead.
- Teach the full name too. Children should know their full name and a parent’s phone number, not only their pet name, in case they are ever lost.
Turn the nickname into a first writing lesson
Children love writing the name they are called at home. Make a free tracing sheet with both names, the nickname and the full name, using our name tracing worksheet maker. Then practise the letter itself with the letter M tracing worksheet, and spot M words like moon, milk, mango.
Nickname questions
What is a cute nickname that starts with M for a baby?
Popular choices are Monkey, Muffin, Munchkin, Mouse. For a nickname that grows up with your child, shorten their real name instead, such as Max, Matt, Mike.
Can a nickname start with M if the name does not?
Yes. Plenty of nicknames come from the middle or end of a name, or from old rhyming habits. Look at the “Short for” column above for examples.
Should my child use their nickname at school?
That is up to you and, as they get older, your child. Schools use the registered name, so make sure your child recognises and can say their full name as well.
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