The Younger Futhark equivalent ᛘ is maðr ('man'). It took up the shape of the algiz rune ᛉ, replacing Elder Futhark ᛗ.
As its sound value and form in the Elder Futhark indicate, it is derived from the letter for /m/, 𐌌, in the Old Italic alphabets, ultimately from the Greek lettermu (uppercase Μ, lowercase μ).
Rune poems
The rune is recorded in all three rune poems, in the Norwegian and Icelandic poems as maðr, and in the Anglo-Saxon poem as man.
ᛗMan bẏþ on mẏrgþe his magan leof: sceal þeah anra gehƿẏlc oðrum sƿican, forðum drẏhten ƿẏle dome sine þæt earme flæsc eorþan betæcan.
The joyous man is dear to his kinsmen;
yet every man is doomed to fail his fellow,
since the Lord by his decree
will commit the vile carrion to the earth.
