"of Mars, warlike"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
Mark
Pronunciation: [ m-AHRK ]
Does Mark flow with your last name?
A Roman name carried by saints and storytellers
English
German
Dutch
Scandinavian
Russian
Classic
Strong
Minimalist
Traditional
Bold
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"consecrated to Mars"
Origin: Latin
Language: Roman
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The Story of Mark
Mark derives from the Latin Marcus, which was associated with Mars, the Roman god of war. The name carried prestige in ancient Rome, borne by statesmen, soldiers, and philosophers. Its widespread adoption across the Christian world came through Saint Mark the Evangelist, the author of the second Gospel, whose lion symbol appears in Venice's famous Basilica di San Marco. Saint Mark is venerated as the patron saint of Egypt and Venice.
Mark was a dominant American boy's name from the 1940s through the 1970s, reaching #6 in 1960. Its association with the apostle and mid-century literary figures drove its popularity. It has since declined as tastes shifted, but it remains a universally recognizable classic that never sounds dated.
Saint Mark the Evangelist is one of the most important figures in early Christianity. The Basilica di San Marco in Venice is one of the world's great architectural masterpieces named in his honor. His feast day (April 25) is the national holiday of Venice. The name has been borne by three popes.
Historical Record
Mark first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 1,289,113 babies have been named Mark in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Mark is past its peak , currently ranked #246 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The Gospel of Mark is believed to be the oldest of the four Gospels, written around 70 CE
- Mark Twain is a pen name — Samuel Clemens borrowed it from a riverboat depth-sounding call meaning 'two fathoms'
- Mark has been borne by three popes throughout Catholic history
Mark in Other Languages
Latin
Marcus
French
Marc
German
Markus
Italian
Marco
Russian
Mark
Spanish
Marcos
Popularity Over Time
#246
Current Rank
Peaked 1959
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Mark
M
Mark Zuckerberg
Business
1984
Co-founder and CEO of Facebook/Meta, one of the world's most influential technology executives
M
Mark Twain
Writer
1835
American author of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer, widely called the father of American literature
S
Saint Mark the Evangelist
Religious
Author of the Gospel of Mark, patron saint of Venice and Egypt, depicted with a lion in Christian iconography
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #246
- Total SSA Count
- 1,437
- Cultural Origins
- English German Dutch Scandinavian Russian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Mark
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Mark is also used as a girl name, ranked #70837.
View Mark as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Mark
What does the name Mark mean?
"of Mars, warlike" (from Latin). "consecrated to Mars" (from Latin). Mark derives from the Latin Marcus, which was associated with Mars, the Roman god of war. The name carried prestige in ancient Rome, borne by statesmen, soldiers, and philosophers. Its widespread adoption across the Christian world came through Saint Mark the Evangelist, the author of the second Gospel, whose lion symbol appears in Venice's famous Basilica di San Marco. Saint Mark is venerated as the patron saint of Egypt and Venice.
What is the origin of the name Mark?
Mark has Latin, English, German, Dutch, Scandinavian, and Russian origins. In Latin, it means "of Mars, warlike". In Latin, it means "consecrated to Mars".
Is Mark a boy or girl name?
Mark is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #246. As a girl name, it is ranked #70837. Mark is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Mark?
Mark is pronounced m-AHRK.
How popular is the name Mark?
Mark is currently ranked #246 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Mark?
Popular middle name pairings include Mark Thomas, Mark William, Mark Andrew, Mark James, Mark Anthony, and Mark David.
What are good sibling names for Mark?
Names that pair well with Mark as siblings include Paul, Luke, John, Matthew, Sarah, and Laura.
How many syllables does Mark have?
Mark has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Mark a common or rare name?
Mark is a popular name, ranked #246 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
What boy names are similar to Mark?
About the Name Mark
Mark is a boy name with English, German, Dutch, Scandinavian, and Russian origins . The name means "of Mars, warlike" in Latin .
Is Mark a boy or girl name? Mark is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #246 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #70,837. Mark is more commonly used as a boy name.
Mark is currently ranked #246 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Mark has 1 syllable and is pronounced m-AHRK, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Mark include Marcus, Martin, Marco, Marshall, Mario . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis