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Mark Boy

Popularity: #234 · Trend: ↘ Falling

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)

StateBirthsShare
CA 187
14%
TX 140
10%
NY 95
7%
FL 91
7%
IL 90
7%
PA 70
5%
WA 60
4%
OH 55
4%
NC 44
3%
MI 40
3%
VA 39
3%
GA 36
3%
MA 31
2%
AZ 27
2%
TN 26
2%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
188085
188194
188290
188391
188496
188574
1886106
188776
1888115
1889101
189083
189186
189286
189392
189484
1895102
1896119
1897104
1898108
189989
1900137
190192
1902104
190381
1904113
190594
190685
190797
190867
1909101
1910131
1911142
1912284
1913349
1914386
1915529
1916571
1917528
1918627
1919587
1920589
1921626
1922667
1923659
1924672
1925651
1926702
1927701
1928652
1929576
1930591
1931664
1932716
1933693
1934702
1935788
1936712
1937809
1938902
1939867
19401,165
19411,624
19422,039
19432,520
19442,742
19453,545
19465,331
19477,773
194810,266
194913,726
195016,605
195121,202
195225,678
195329,343
195436,198
195542,244
195648,829
195752,843
195852,697
195956,946
196058,719
196157,786
196253,527
196349,332
196445,264
196538,245
196634,802
196734,914
196835,402
196933,390
197031,464
197125,132
197221,494
197320,372
197418,907
197516,742
197615,511
197715,419
197814,854
197914,393
198014,170
198113,544
198213,866
198313,818
198413,214
198513,197
198612,614
198711,996
198811,717
198911,324
199010,690
19919,683
19928,745
19938,060
19947,487
19956,887
19966,599
19976,165
19985,893
19995,606
20005,229
20014,754
20024,222
20034,033
20043,770
20053,529
20063,252
20072,973
20082,916
20092,578
20102,415
20112,432
20122,204
20132,211
20142,193
20152,077
20162,066
20171,948
20181,874
20191,685
20201,550
20211,406
20221,433
20231,397
20241,437