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Markus Boy

Popularity: #761 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationMAR-kus / /ˈmɑːrkəs/

Latin; Greek

Meaning

Latin: 'dedicated to Mars'; Greek: 'warlike'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Markus is derived from the Latin name "Marcus," which is believed to have originated from the Roman god of war, Mars. The etymology traces back to the Proto-Indo-European root *mer-, meaning "to shine" or "to be bright," which is associated with the qualities of strength and valor. The name entered the English language through various linguistic transitions, including its adaptation into Old French as "Marc" before being adopted into Middle English as "Mark." This evolution reflects the broader cultural exchanges that occurred during the Roman Empire and the subsequent spread of Christianity.

Historically, the name Markus has significant associations with early Christian figures, most notably Saint Mark, one of the four Evangelists who authored the Gospel of Mark in the first century. 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 prominence in Christian contexts, particularly during the Middle Ages, as the Gospel was translated into various vernacular languages, including the influential King James Bible in the early 17th century, which further solidified its usage among English-speaking populations.

Culturally, Markus has been associated with qualities of leadership and courage, reflecting the martial connotations of its root in Mars. The name has also been embraced in various forms across different cultures, with diminutives such as "Mark" and "Marco" appearing in several languages. The enduring legacy of Markus is evident in its continued use in literature, art, and religious contexts, symbolizing steadfastness and faithfulness throughout centuries.

Trend Summary

Markus has seen fluctuating popularity in the U.S., with a notable presence in the late 20th century.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Marcus
  • Markus
  • Mark

International Variants

  • Marcos (Spanish)
  • Marc (French)
  • Marco (Italian)
  • Marek (Polish)
  • Márk (Hungarian)

Famous people named Markus

Markus Persson is a video game designer best known for creating Minecraft.

Markus Schulz is a DJ and music producer best known for his work in trance music and albums like Thoughts Become Things.

Markus Zusak is an author best known for The Book Thief, I Am the Messenger, and Bridge of Clay.

Fictional characters named Markus

Markus is a fictional character from the video game Detroit: Become Human. He is a caretaker android who becomes a leader in the android revolution for freedom.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Markus was first seen in the United States in 1915. Markus has ranked as high as #853 nationally, which occurred in 1994, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Illinois, New York, and Ohio. In the past 5 years the name Markus has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Markus (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 22
20%
TX 16
15%
OH 10
9%
FL 10
9%
NC 9
8%
NY 8
7%
PA 6
5%
IL 6
5%
IN 6
5%
UT 6
5%
KY 6
5%
KS 5
5%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
19157
19169
192010
19227
19236
192411
19256
192610
19286
19305
19328
19365
19395
19415
19445
194710
19488
19499
195013
195119
195217
195320
195430
195528
195634
195734
195851
195945
196056
196164
196246
196368
196466
196569
196679
196786
196888
1969104
1970120
1971119
197297
1973109
1974125
1975130
1976134
1977136
1978163
1979148
1980137
1981148
1982163
1983177
1984201
1985192
1986236
1987266
1988299
1989317
1990385
1991363
1992390
1993375
1994396
1995350
1996306
1997330
1998286
1999305
2000300
2001277
2002288
2003302
2004332
2005289
2006370
2007346
2008355
2009392
2010347
2011345
2012265
2013279
2014327
2015261
2016264
2017225
2018212
2019181
2020156
2021180
2022152
2023140
2024163