Country That Starts With M: Names, Facts, and Populations
Did you know that eighteen countries in the world have names that begin with the letter “M”? That’s a surprisingly high count compared to most other letters in the alphabet. Linguists believe this might be more than just coincidence.
According to data from Phoible.org, the “m” sound is one of the most common consonants globally, appearing in roughly 96% of the world’s 3,000 spoken languages and dialects.
Even in English, it’s fairly frequent—found in about 2.61% of all words. Many of these “M” countries also span diverse climates—from Mali’s scorching 43°C summers to Mongolia’s freezing winters dropping below -35°C. With such global linguistic and geographical spread, it’s no wonder that many nations’ names start with this versatile letter.
But the real fascination lies in how these countries earned their “M” names—each shaped by centuries of history, culture, colonization, and native identity. In this article, we’ll explore all 18 countries that start with M, what they represent today, and a few that even end with M, uncovering patterns you may never have noticed before.

List of Countries That Start with M
Below is a complete table of countries that start with the letter M, including relevant data for 2025 such as population estimates, currency, and geographical region:
Country | Population (2025 est.) | Currency | Region |
Madagascar | 31.3 million | Malagasy ariary (MGA) | Africa |
Malawi | 22.7 million | Malawian kwacha (MWK) | Africa |
Malaysia | 34.5 million | Malaysian ringgit (MYR) | Asia |
Maldives | 0.59 million | Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR) | Asia |
Mali | 24.2 million | West African CFA franc (XOF) | Africa |
Malta | 0.53 million | Euro (EUR) | Europe |
Marshall Islands | 0.06 million | United States dollar (USD) | Oceania |
Mauritania | 5.2 million | Ouguiya (MRU) | Africa |
Mauritius | 1.3 million | Mauritian rupee (MUR) | Africa |
Mexico | 129.4 million | Mexican peso (MXN) | North America |
Micronesia | 0.11 million | United States dollar (USD) | Oceania |
Moldova | 2.4 million | Moldovan leu (MDL) | Europe |
Monaco | 0.04 million | Euro (EUR) | Europe |
Mongolia | 3.5 million | Mongolian tögrög (MNT) | Asia |
Montenegro | 0.6 million | Euro (EUR) | Europe |
Morocco | 38.9 million | Moroccan dirham (MAD) | Africa |
Mozambique | 35.1 million | Mozambican metical (MZN) | Africa |
Myanmar | 55.8 million | Burmese kyat (MMK) | Asia |
Countries That End With M
Though less common, there are a few countries whose names end with the letter M. These nations are unique both linguistically and culturally. Here is a brief overview of each:
- Brunei Darussalam
- Vietnam
- United Kingdom
- Belgium
Conclusion
Exploring each country that starts with M reveals a world of diversity—geographically, culturally, and economically. From Mexico’s global influence to Maldives’ paradise islands, these 18 nations collectively represent the vibrancy of our world. Whether you’re drawn to the historical depth of Morocco, the ecological marvels of Madagascar, or the emerging potential of Myanmar, there’s something fascinating about each one.
We also saw that although fewer, countries that end with M—like Belgium and Vietnam—play crucial roles on the world stage.
Understanding countries through alphabetic categorization not only helps in learning geography but also deepens our appreciation for the intricate tapestry that is our global society.
So next time someone asks you about a country that starts with M, you’ll be ready with both facts and stories from across the globe.
- Country that starts with a
- Country that starts with b
- Country that starts with c
- Country that stats with d
- Country that starts with e
- Country that starts with f
- Country that starts with g
- Country that starts with h
- Country that starts with i
- Country that starts with j
- Country that starts with k
- Country that starts with l
- Country that starts with m
- Country that starts with n
- Country that starts with o
- Country that starts with p
- Country that starts with q
- Country that starts with r
- Country that starts with s
- Country that starts with t
- Country that starts with u
- Country that starts with v
- Country that starts with w
- Country that starts with x
- Country that starts with y
- Country that starts with z