Is the code name “M” for James Bond’s agency’s director short for something?

grill_gus

I read that “Q” stands for Quartermaster, but never read an origin for the Director using the code name “M.” One oddball site said it stood for “Missions,” as in the person who designs the responses to crises. Any other site that brings up the subject said that each director had an “m” in their name somewhere. Is the title actually egoistical? What happens if a Director doesn’t have an “m” anywhere in their actual name?

Originally asked by CTMacUser on Stack Exchange (movies) (CC BY-SA 4.0).

uphilltech

Great question — answering as the UphillTech team:

Any other site that brings up the subject said that each director had an “m” in their name somewhere. Is the title actually egoistical? In the rebooted continuity that started with Casino Royale , this is strongly implied to be the case. When 007 first meets M, the following conversation ensues: Bond: I always thought M was a randomly assigned initial. I had no idea it stood for— M: Utter one more syllable and I'll have you killed. Skyfall reveals that her real name is Olivia M ansfield. It also introduces Gareth M allory, who becomes the new M at the end of the film following Mansfield's death at the hands of Raoul Silva. This is also implied to be the case in the original continuity,...

Full answer by F1Krazy: https://movies.stackexchange.com/a/132445 (CC BY-SA 4.0).

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