Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Mark

The name Mark is an anglicized version of the Latin name Marcus which is one of the oldest of Roman forenames. In fact, back in antiquity and the classical era, Marcus was one of only a dozen or so given names used for boys. The etymological origin of the name is not certain. It likely comes from one of two places. The first is Mars, the Roman god of war and perhaps means ‘consecrated to the god Mars’ and thus a warrior. The second is from the Latin adjective “mas” meaning ‘male, virile’ which connects nicely with Mars anyway. Mark is also the name of the Evangelist and author of the second gospel in the New Testament which is the main source of the name’s popularity in the English-speaking world. Lastly, in Irish mythology, King Mark was the ruler of Cornwall from the Arthurian legend of Tristan and Isolde (for more information, see Tristan). From this perspective, the origin of the name Mark is Celtic and derived from “marc(h)” meaning ‘steed, horse’. Mark was in use in the Middle Ages, but did not gain any serious use until the 17th century.

All About the Baby Name – Mark

Personality

OF THE BOY NAME MARK

The number Seven personality is deeply mystical and highly in tune with their spirituality. They operate on a different wavelength than the average joe. Spending time alone comes easily to Sevens, as it gives them time to contemplate philosophical, religious and spiritual ideas in an effort to find "real truth".  Sevens are wise, but often exude mystery as if they are tapped into something the rest of us don't understand. They love the outdoors and are fed by nature. Sevens are constantly seeking to understand human nature, our place in the universe, and the mystery of life in general. This makes them quite artistic and poetic, but they are also keen observers with high intellect - so they are equally scientific-minded. Sevens are charitable and care deeply about the human condition.

Popularity

OF THE BOY NAME MARK

The name Mark has been in constant use in America for well over a century (at least since the U.S. government began tracking naming trends back in 1880). In 1944, the name achieves a spot on the Top 100 list of most commonly used boys’ names, and from there it continues to experience upward movement on the charts. In 1955, Mark becomes a Top 10 favorite where it remains until 1970. This was clearly the height of the name’s popularity. Since the early 1970s, the name ever so slowly drops in usage. In 2003, the name loses a place on the Top 100 list for the first time in 60 straight years. Its slow and steady decline is showing no signs of reversal but we haven’t given up on it. Mark is a strong, masculine, one-syllable name (like Scott, John, Luke, Jack, Jake). You simply cannot go wrong with a sturdy name like Mark. It’s an ageless classic with forceful strength and characteristic virility.

Quick Facts

ON MARK

GENDER:

Boy

ORIGIN:

Celtic

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

1

RANKING POPULARITY:

184

PRONUNCIATION:

MAHRK

SIMPLE MEANING:

God of War, male, virile, steed, horse

Characteristics

OF MARK

Mystical

Wise

Eccentric

Intuitive

Imaginative

Philosophical

Solitary

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Mark

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME MARK

Mark Antony is one of the title characters from William Shakespeare’s tragedy, Antony and Cleopatra, first printed in 1623. Mark Antony is one of the triumvirate which rules the Roman Empire after the assassination of Julius Caesar. Antony is a handsome man, a good citizen, a loyal friend. He is also, however, of a somewhat lazy bent, indolent, and with more than a passing eye for women. Antony has lately been spending all his time in Egypt, having an affair with its queen, Cleopatra, and becoming more and more debauched. Antony is aware of his failings, however, and when news comes from Rome that his wife has died and that Pompey is planning to overthrow the triumvirate, he responds to the call of duty. Although Cleopatra begs him to stay with her among the sensuous pleasures of Alexandria, Antony returns to reason, to duty, to Rome. He is prevailed upon to marry another of the triumvirate’s sister, Octavia, which he does without much enthusiasm. When a truce between Pompey and the triumvirate is broken by Octavian and Lepidus, Antony is furious and returns to Egypt. There, he has himself and Cleopatra crowned as rulers of Egypt, and prepares to go to war against Octavian. When Cleopatra withdraws her sea support, Antony loses to Octavian and vows to kill Cleopatra for her treachery. She, hearing this, sends word to Antony that she has killed herself, then confidently locks herself away to await his return. Antony, for his part, is so overcome by grief that he attempts to kill himself and is finally successful, dying in her arms. When Cleopatra bids the asps to have at her, it is with the full expectation of meeting Antony again on the other side. Well, it was Mr. Shakespeare himself who said that the course of true love never did run smooth! (Bur this is a bit beyond merely “not smooth”!).

Mark Anthony is one of the title characters from William Shakespeare’s tragedy, Antony and Cleopatra, first printed in 1623. Mark Antony is one of the triumvirate which rules the Roman Empire after the assassination of Julius Caesar. Antony is a handsome man, a good citizen, a loyal friend. He is also, however, of a somewhat lazy bent, indolent, and with more than a passing eye for women. Antony has lately been spending all his time in Egypt, having an affair with its queen, Cleopatra, and becoming more and more debauched. Antony is aware of his failings, however, and when news comes from Rome that his wife has died and that Pompey is planning to overthrow the triumvirate, he responds to the call of duty. Although Cleopatra begs him to stay with her among the sensuous pleasures of Alexandria, Antony returns to reason, to duty, to Rome. He is prevailed upon to marry another of the triumvirate’s sister, Octavia, which he does without much enthusiasm. When a truce between Pompey and the triumvirate is broken by Octavian and Lepidus, Antony is furious and returns to Egypt. There, he has himself and Cleopatra crowned as rulers of Egypt, and prepares to go to war against Octavian. When Cleopatra withdraws her sea support, Antony loses to Octavian and vows to kill Cleopatra for her treachery. She, hearing this, sends word to Antony that she has killed herself, then confidently locks herself away to await his return. Antony, for his part, is so overcome by grief that he attempts to kill himself and is finally successful, dying in her arms. When Cleopatra bids the asps to have at her, it is with the full expectation of meeting Antony again on the other side. Well, it was Mr. Shakespeare himself who said that the course of true love never did run smooth! (Bur this is a bit beyond merely “not smooth”!).

Mark Darcy is a character in the Bridget Jones series, created by British author Helen Fielding initially as a newspaper column in the 1990s. He is a barrister (the veddy British term for lawyer) who is one of the men in Bridget’s life. In the screen adaptations, he is played by Colin Firth, famous for playing another “Mr. Darcy”. A rather stuffy example of a certain upper class male, he shares more than his name with his literary counterpart, being quite handsome, well-moneyed and, it must be said, rather supercilious. As the series (not the movie) ended, Bridget is a new mother (but not by Mr. Darcy) and considering Mr. Darcy’s proposal to adopt the child. So, in addition to his other qualities, he is philanthropic as well!

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME MARK

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Mark


Popular Songs

ON MARK

We cannot find any popular or well-known songs with the name of Mark


Famous People

NAMED MARK

Mark McGwire (baseball player)
Mark Calcavecchia (golfer)
Mark Chesnutt (musician)
Mark Cuban (entrepreneur)
Mark Grace (baseball player)
Mark Harmon (actor)
Mark Knopfler (musician)
Mark Martin (racecar driver)
Mark McGrath (TV personality and singer)
Mark McKinney (SNL cast member)
Mark Prior (baseball player)
Mark Recchi (hockey player)
Mark Teixeira (baseball player)
Mark Wahlberg (actor)
Mark Twain (pen name for Samuel Clemens)
Mark McGwire (baseball player)
Mark Calcavecchia (golfer)
Mark Chesnutt (musician)
Mark Cuban (entrepreneur)
Mark Grace (baseball player)
Mark Harmon (actor)
Mark Knopfler (musician)
Mark Martin (racecar driver)
Mark McGrath (TV personality and singer)
Mark McKinney (SNL cast member)
Mark Prior (baseball player)
Mark Recchi (hockey player)
Mark Teixeira (baseball player)
Mark Wahlberg (actor)
Mark Twain (pen name for Samuel Clemens)
Mark McGwire (baseball player)
Mark Calcavecchia (golfer)
Mark Chesnutt (musician)
Mark Cuban (entrepreneur)
Mark Grace (baseball player)
Mark Harmon (actor)
Mark Knopfler (musician)
Mark Martin (racecar driver)
Mark McGrath (TV personality and singer)
Mark McKinney (SNL cast member)
Mark Prior (baseball player)
Mark Recchi (hockey player)
Mark Teixeira (baseball player)
Mark Wahlberg (actor)
Mark Twain (pen name for Samuel Clemens)

Children of Famous People

NAMED MARK

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Mark

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME MARK

Born Marcus Antonius 83 years before Christ, Mark Antony is best known for his association with Cleopatra. He was a politician, a military general and a friend to Julius Caesar. He ruled the Roman Empire during the period of the Second Triumvirate. His political alliance broke up over a disagreement and he ultimately loses power. Mark Antony commits suicide by his sword believing that his beloved Cleopatra has already done the same, eager to join her in the afterlife. Their intense love story is famously depicted in Shakespeare's play "Antony and Cleopatra."

Born Marcus Antonius 83 years before Christ, Mark Antony is best known for his association with Cleopatra. He was a politician, a military general and a friend to Julius Caesar. He ruled the Roman Empire during the period of the Second Triumvirate. His political alliance broke up over a disagreement and he ultimately loses power. Mark Antony commits suicide by his sword believing that his beloved Cleopatra has already done the same, eager to join her in the afterlife. Their intense love story is famously depicted in Shakespeare's play "Antony and Cleopatra."

King Mark of Cornwall was a king of that region in the early 6th century, but his name is most famous in Arthurian legend as the uncle of Tristan and husband of Isolde. Mark was betrothed to Isolde of Ireland in one of those politically correct marriages so popular at the time, and he sent his nephew, Tristan, to escort her back to Cornwall. You know the drill, boys and girls. Boy meets girl; boy falls in love with girl; boy cheats on uncle with girl. Oh, sure, there is a love potion or two figuring in this plot, but there are also two attractive young people on a journey together. Even after the marriage of Mark and Isolde, the affair continued. Some strong potion. So King Mark finds out and – who can blame him? – banishes Tristan from the kingdom. Tristan goes off and marries a girl called Iseult of Brittany, presumably because she had such a similar name. One little twist – he fails to consummate the marriage because of his great love for the spelling of Isolde. As legend tells us, Tristan and Isolde die in a Romeo-and-Juliet type of setup (helped along by the badly spelled Iseult). And King Mark married again. That’s really all we need to know for our purposes here, because Mark’s own end wasn’t so pleasant, either.

Born Marcus Antonius 83 years before Christ, Mark Antony is best known for his association with Cleopatra. He was a politician, a military general and a friend to Julius Caesar. He ruled the Roman Empire during the period of the Second Triumvirate. His political alliance broke up over a disagreement and he ultimately loses power. Mark Antony commits suicide by his sword believing that his beloved Cleopatra has already done the same, eager to join her in the afterlife. Their intense love story is famously depicted in Shakespeare's play "Antony and Cleopatra."