Mark Boy
Origin(s)
Pronunciationmark / /mɑrk/Latin; Hebrew
Meaning
Latin: 'warlike'; Hebrew: 'blessed'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Mark has its roots in the Latin name "Marcus," which is derived from the word "mas," meaning "male" or "manly." The name Marcus was commonly used in ancient Rome and is associated with the god of war, Mars, reflecting themes of strength and masculinity. The transition of the name into English occurred through the Old French form "Marc," which was adopted after the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, ultimately leading to the modern English form "Mark."
Historically, the name Mark is significant due to its association with Saint Mark, one of the four Evangelists in the Christian tradition. Saint Mark is traditionally believed to be the author of the Gospel of Mark, which is one of the earliest accounts of the life of Jesus Christ, dating back to the first century CE. His feast day is celebrated on April 25, and he is recognized as the patron saint of Venice, where his relics are housed in St. Mark's Basilica. The name gained further prominence through various historical figures, including Mark Antony, a Roman politician and general, who lived during the late Roman Republic.
Culturally, the name Mark has been associated with qualities such as leadership and valor, reflecting its martial origins. It has been used in various literary and artistic works throughout history, contributing to its enduring presence in Western culture. The name has also inspired several diminutive forms, such as "Marc" and "Marky," which have appeared in different cultural contexts. Overall, the name Mark carries a rich historical and cultural significance, rooted in its etymological origins and the influential figures who have borne it.
Trend Summary
Mark was a consistently popular name in the United States throughout the 20th century, though its usage has declined in recent years.
Similar Names
Variants
- Marc
- Marq
International Variants
- Marco (Italian)
- Marc (French)
- Marek (Polish)
- Marko (Slavic)
Famous people named Mark
Mark Twain is an author best known for The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and The Prince and the Pauper.
Mark Zuckerberg is a technology entrepreneur best known for co-founding Facebook, Inc., and developing the social media platform Facebook.
Mark Hamill is an actor best known for his role as Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars franchise, and for his voice work in Batman: The Animated Series.
Mark Ruffalo is an actor best known for his roles in Spotlight, The Avengers, and Foxcatcher.
Mark Wahlberg is an actor and producer best known for his roles in The Departed, Boogie Nights, and Ted.
Mark Knopfler is a musician best known as the lead guitarist and singer of Dire Straits, and for his work on film soundtracks like Local Hero.
Mark Ronson is a music producer and DJ best known for his work on Uptown Funk, and for producing albums for artists like Amy Winehouse.
Mark Cuban is an entrepreneur best known for being the owner of the Dallas Mavericks and a prominent investor on Shark Tank.
Mark Strong is an actor best known for his roles in Kingsman: The Secret Service, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, and Zero Dark Thirty.
Mark Gatiss is a writer and actor best known for his work on Sherlock, Doctor Who, and The League of Gentlemen.
Fictional characters named Mark
Mark Watney is a fictional character from the novel and film The Martian. He is an astronaut stranded on Mars who uses his ingenuity to survive and find a way to communicate with Earth.
Mark Antony is a fictional character from William Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar. He is a loyal friend of Caesar who seeks to avenge his death and ultimately becomes a key figure in Roman politics.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Mark was first seen in the United States in 1880. Mark has ranked as high as #6 nationally, which occurred in 1960, and has been most popular in California, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. In the past 5 years the name Mark has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Mark (2024)
State | Births | Share |
---|---|---|
CA | 187 | |
TX | 140 | |
NY | 95 | |
FL | 91 | |
IL | 90 | |
PA | 70 | |
WA | 60 | |
OH | 55 | |
NC | 44 | |
MI | 40 | |
VA | 39 | |
GA | 36 | |
MA | 31 | |
AZ | 27 | |
TN | 26 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
Year | Births |
---|---|
1880 | 85 |
1881 | 94 |
1882 | 90 |
1883 | 91 |
1884 | 96 |
1885 | 74 |
1886 | 106 |
1887 | 76 |
1888 | 115 |
1889 | 101 |
1890 | 83 |
1891 | 86 |
1892 | 86 |
1893 | 92 |
1894 | 84 |
1895 | 102 |
1896 | 119 |
1897 | 104 |
1898 | 108 |
1899 | 89 |
1900 | 137 |
1901 | 92 |
1902 | 104 |
1903 | 81 |
1904 | 113 |
1905 | 94 |
1906 | 85 |
1907 | 97 |
1908 | 67 |
1909 | 101 |
1910 | 131 |
1911 | 142 |
1912 | 284 |
1913 | 349 |
1914 | 386 |
1915 | 529 |
1916 | 571 |
1917 | 528 |
1918 | 627 |
1919 | 587 |
1920 | 589 |
1921 | 626 |
1922 | 667 |
1923 | 659 |
1924 | 672 |
1925 | 651 |
1926 | 702 |
1927 | 701 |
1928 | 652 |
1929 | 576 |
1930 | 591 |
1931 | 664 |
1932 | 716 |
1933 | 693 |
1934 | 702 |
1935 | 788 |
1936 | 712 |
1937 | 809 |
1938 | 902 |
1939 | 867 |
1940 | 1,165 |
1941 | 1,624 |
1942 | 2,039 |
1943 | 2,520 |
1944 | 2,742 |
1945 | 3,545 |
1946 | 5,331 |
1947 | 7,773 |
1948 | 10,266 |
1949 | 13,726 |
1950 | 16,605 |
1951 | 21,202 |
1952 | 25,678 |
1953 | 29,343 |
1954 | 36,198 |
1955 | 42,244 |
1956 | 48,829 |
1957 | 52,843 |
1958 | 52,697 |
1959 | 56,946 |
1960 | 58,719 |
1961 | 57,786 |
1962 | 53,527 |
1963 | 49,332 |
1964 | 45,264 |
1965 | 38,245 |
1966 | 34,802 |
1967 | 34,914 |
1968 | 35,402 |
1969 | 33,390 |
1970 | 31,464 |
1971 | 25,132 |
1972 | 21,494 |
1973 | 20,372 |
1974 | 18,907 |
1975 | 16,742 |
1976 | 15,511 |
1977 | 15,419 |
1978 | 14,854 |
1979 | 14,393 |
1980 | 14,170 |
1981 | 13,544 |
1982 | 13,866 |
1983 | 13,818 |
1984 | 13,214 |
1985 | 13,197 |
1986 | 12,614 |
1987 | 11,996 |
1988 | 11,717 |
1989 | 11,324 |
1990 | 10,690 |
1991 | 9,683 |
1992 | 8,745 |
1993 | 8,060 |
1994 | 7,487 |
1995 | 6,887 |
1996 | 6,599 |
1997 | 6,165 |
1998 | 5,893 |
1999 | 5,606 |
2000 | 5,229 |
2001 | 4,754 |
2002 | 4,222 |
2003 | 4,033 |
2004 | 3,770 |
2005 | 3,529 |
2006 | 3,252 |
2007 | 2,973 |
2008 | 2,916 |
2009 | 2,578 |
2010 | 2,415 |
2011 | 2,432 |
2012 | 2,204 |
2013 | 2,211 |
2014 | 2,193 |
2015 | 2,077 |
2016 | 2,066 |
2017 | 1,948 |
2018 | 1,874 |
2019 | 1,685 |
2020 | 1,550 |
2021 | 1,406 |
2022 | 1,433 |
2023 | 1,397 |
2024 | 1,437 |