Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Marcus
BoyLatin· “probably dedicated to Mars”
- Meaning
- probably dedicated to Mars
- Origin
- Latin
- Pronunciation
- MAHR-kuhs
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #258
- US babies 2025
- 1,341
- Best rank
- #57 (1984)
- Peak year
- 1984
Meaning and origin of Marcus
Marcus is a Latin name that is usually said to mean “probably dedicated to Mars”.
Marcus was one of the most common personal names in ancient Rome, and it is usually thought to derive from Mars, the Roman god of war, though the link is not certain. Famous Romans who used it include the orator Marcus Tullius Cicero and the emperor Marcus Aurelius, whose Meditations are still widely read. The English form Mark comes from it, as does the Gospel writer's name. Marcus has stayed in steady use in English, Scandinavian and Dutch-speaking countries, and it has a confident, slightly classical feel. It shortens easily to Marc or Marky, and it pairs well with both traditional and modern middle names.
Other spellings with the same sound: Markus.
Popularity over time
Marcus has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #57 in 1984, the same year it reached its highest count of 5,996 babies. In 2025, 1,341 babies were named Marcus, and it ranked #258 nationally. That is 46% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #326 in 1920, #283 in 1950, #71 in 1980, #99 in 2000, #130 in 2010, and #258 in 2025. Of the 241,657 US boys named Marcus since records began, 21% were born in the 1980s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 46,497 babies. Since 2010, 33,022 more have been named Marcus.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Joel, Bryan, and Dustin.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Marcus ranked highest in Massachusetts, Washington, and Oregon.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | #176 | 39 |
| Washington | #178 | 49 |
| Oregon | #178 | 24 |
| New Hampshire | #180 | 8 |
| Pennsylvania | #192 | 67 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Marcus is usually pronounced MAHR-kuhs, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with M and ends in “-us”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Markus.
Middle names for Marcus
A few middle names that flow with Marcus: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Marcus
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Lists that include Marcus
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Marcus mean?
Marcus is a Latin name that is usually said to mean “probably dedicated to Mars”.
What is the origin of the name Marcus?
Marcus has Latin roots. Marcus was one of the most common personal names in ancient Rome, and it is usually thought to derive from Mars, the Roman god of war, though the link is not certain.
Is Marcus a popular name?
Yes. Marcus ranked #258 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Marcus a boy or girl name?
Marcus is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Marcus?
Marcus is usually pronounced MAHR-kuhs. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings