Plant-mediated synthesis provides an easy approach for production silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Current study was executed to synthesize and characterize AgNPs using aqueous Myristica fragrans leaves extract at extract:AgNO₃ ratios of 1:50 (AgNPs-P1) and 1:90 (AgNPs-P2). AgNPs-P1 and AgNPs-P2 were monitored by UV–Visible spectroscopy for 72 h. Particle size and polydispersity index were determined by particle size analyzer. The smallest particles size (AgNPs-P1) was additionally analyzed using zeta potential, FTIR, XRD, SEM-EDS, and LRTEM. Antibacterial activity was conducted using the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method against E. coli and S. aureus. In both cases the optical changes were gradual with the absorption peak reaching 440 nm after 72 hours. The AgNPs-P1 showed higher absorbance and smaller average particle size (63.50 nm) than AgNPs-P2 with PI values of 0.270 and 0.275 respectively. The AgNPs-P1 was selected for further studies due to its average size. AgNPs-P1 had negative zeta potential (−32.0 ± 9.5 mV) and FCC crystalline arrangement with a mean crystallite dimension of 38.68 nm. FTIR evidenced the presence of plant origin functional groups. SEM-EDS and LRTEM confirmed the presence of aggregated nanoscale particles with mainly spherical to angular shapes. AgNPs-P1 showed inhibitory zones of 5.50 ± 0.229 mm against E. coli and 6.35 ± 0.520 mm against S. aureus. Aqueous extract of M. fragrans leaves promoted plant-mediated synthesis of AgNPs and showed preliminary antibacterial activity.