Marcus

Dedicated to Mars — a boy name of Latin origin

GenderBoy
OriginLatin
MeaningDedicated to Mars
PronunciationMAR-kus

Popularity of Marcus in the United States

#258Rank in 2025
1,341Births in 2025
#57 in 1984Peak Popularity
↓ Declining10-Year Trend

Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA). Based on all Social Security card applications for births in the United States.

Meaning & Origin of Marcus

Marcus is a Roman praenomen (first name) derived from Mars, the Roman god of war. It was one of the most common names in ancient Rome, borne by many notable figures including the philosopher-emperor Marcus Aurelius and the orator Marcus Tullius Cicero. The name may also be connected to the Latin word "mas" meaning "male" or "virile." Marcus has been in continuous use for over two thousand years, maintaining its classical dignity while adapting to modern sensibilities. It remains a strong, distinguished choice with deep historical roots.

Marcus Around the World

Marcus is used in 3 languages worldwide, with 12+ international variants.

Languages
GermanLatinDutch
Details

TypeMale given name

International Variants
MarkkuFinnish
MarcosSpanish
MarkGerman
MárkusHungarian
MarcFrench
Márk
MarekPolish
MarkoDutch
MarkusGerman
MarcoItalian
MárciusHungarian
Marqus

Linguistic data: Wikidata (CC0). Variants and language usage may vary by region.

Nicknames for Marcus

MarcMarkMars

Famous People Named Marcus

  • Marcus Aurelius — Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher
  • Marcus Rashford — English professional footballer
  • Marcus Samuelsson — Ethiopian-Swedish celebrity chef

Similar Names to Marcus

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Sibling Name Ideas for Marcus

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Marcus mean?

Marcus is a boy name of Latin origin meaning "Dedicated to Mars." Marcus is a Roman praenomen (first name) derived from Mars, the Roman god of war. It was one of the most common names in ancient Rome, borne by many notable figures including the philosopher-emperor Marcus Aurelius and the orator Marcus Tullius Cicero.

How do you pronounce Marcus?

Marcus is pronounced MAR-kus. Common variations include Markus, Marco, Marcos.

Is Marcus a boy name?

Yes, Marcus is traditionally a boy name. Popular nicknames include Marc, Mark, Mars.

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