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Origin, Meaning, And History of Marcus
Marcus is a popular Latin praenomen or personal name for boys, which was quite popular throughout Roman history. The name is believed to have originated from the Roman name Marcus, given to honor the god of war, Mars. The name Marcus comes from the Latin word ‘Martius,’ which means ‘of Mars’ or ‘dedicated to Mars,’ and has a connotation of being ‘warlike’ or ‘strong.’
Marcus was a popular given name among both the patrician and plebeian classes in ancient Rome. The name was especially popular among the Roman aristocracy, and several famous historical figures, including Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, shared it.
The Roman general and statesman Marcus Tullius Cicero, who lived in the first century BC, is one of the most well-known people to have carried the name. Cicero was famous for his eloquent speeches and writings, and his work left an indelible mark on Western literature and philosophy.
Marcus remained popular in later centuries in Europe, particularly in the Christian tradition, as many saints and religious figures bore the name. Since then, the name has spread across the globe and developed variations such as Marco (Italian), Markus (German and Scandinavian), Marek (Polish), Marcel (French), Marko (Slavic), and Markusz (Hungarian). The name also has several diminutives including Mark, Marc, Marcy, Marco, and Marius.
The fictional characters named Marcus are varied and come from different genres, including books, video games, films, and television shows. Some famous fictional characters include Marcus Flint, a Harry Potter book series character. In the series, Flint is known for his unsavory, intimidating behavior and fierce loyalty to the Slytherin Quidditch team.
Another notable character is Marcus Fenix, the main protagonist in the Gears of War video game franchise, who is considered a memorable hero for his bravery, loyalty, and leadership skills.
Marcus Cole, a character in the television series Babylon 5; Marcus Wright, a character in the science fiction film Terminator Salvation; and Marcus Bell, a character in the television series Elementary are other noteworthy characters that share the name, Marcus.
How To Pronounce Marcus?
Famous People With The Name Marcus
- Marcus Carl FranklinAmerican actor, nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male
- Marcus Mosiah Garvey Jr.Jamaican activist, the founder and first President-General of the UNIA (Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League)
- Marcus TojiAmerican actor and voice artist, best known for his roles on Little Giants and Movie Surfers
- Markus BeyerGerman boxer, won the World Boxing Council super middleweight title
- Markus Antonius RoganRetired Austrian swimmer, won two silver medals at the Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece 2004
Marcus On The Popularity Chart
In the 1980s and 1990s, Marcus was among the top 100 popular boy names in the US. Check out the graph below to explore this vintage name’s performance over the years on the popularity chart.
Popularity Over Time
In 1984, Marcus reached its peak in popularity with 5996 babies per million receiving the name. However, its popularity has been on a decline ever since.
Source: Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
Since 1983, Marcus has been experiencing a decline in ranking. In 2007, the name reached its lowest rank of 20,689.
Source: Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sound As Marcus
If you are looking for names that exude a regal feel similar to Marcus, here are some suggestions to explore.
Names With Same Meaning As Marcus
If you’re searching for names with the same meaning as Marcus, here are some choices that could be a perfect fit for your little one.
Name Numerology For Marcus
