Council friend or gentle chieftain
Derived from the Old English elements 'mæthel' (council) and 'wine' (friend), or possibly from the Gaelic 'Maelmhin' meaning gentle chieftain. It gained popularity in the 19th century as a surname-turned-given name. While it peaked in the early 20th century, it remains a recognizable classic with a soft, approachable sound.
US births per 5-year period, 1990–present (SSA data).
Influential filmmaker and playwright
NFL running back
Nobel Prize-winning chemist
Former U.S. Secretary of Defense
Protagonist played by Jack Nicholson · As Good as It Gets
Famous FBI agent who captured John Dillinger
