Markus
Markus was the 1336th most popular name for boys in 2025, given to 144 babies. Its best year was 1990, when it ranked 495th; the most babies were born in 1994 (396). Over the last ten years it has moved down 469 places. More babies were named Markus in the 1990s than in any other decade.
Meaning (as Marcus) Origin uncertain · Latin, Etruscan
- Rank in 2025
- #1,336 boys, down 124 places since 2020
- Babies in 2025
- 144boys
- Girls and boys
- Almost always a boy’s name2021–2025
- Peak year
- 1994396 babies
- Total since 1880
- 14,947babies recorded
What does the name Markus mean?
Markus is a spelling of Marcus, pronounced the same way, so it shares Marcus's meaning and origin.
Marcus is a Latin first name, one of the most common in ancient Rome. DMNES and Wikipedia say it comes either from Mars, the Roman god of war, or from the Etruscan name Marce, whose meaning is unknown; Wiktionary gives the Mars link. Mark is the English form, from the Gospel writer. Wikipedia notes that Marcus is popular in Sweden, Norway, Italy and Germany as well as in English-speaking countries.
Mārcus (Latin, “Roman first name”)Mārs (Latin, “Mars, god of war (proposed)”)
How sure is this? Uncertain. Linked with the god Mars or with Etruscan Marce; neither is certain.
Related names: Mark, Marco, Markus, Marcos, Marc.
See also: Latin names.
Sources for this meaning
- Wiktionary, entry 'Marcus', Wiktionary (Wikimedia Foundation); facts restated, no text reused
- Dictionary of Medieval Names from European Sources, ed. S. L. Uckelman, Edition 2023 no. 1, s.v. 'Mark', Durham University / The DMNES Editors
- Wikipedia, 'Marcus (name)', Wikipedia (Wikimedia Foundation); facts restated, no text reused
Markus popularity since 1880
| Year | Rank (boys) | Babies (boys) |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #1,336 | 144 |
| 2020 | #1,212 | 156 |
| 2010 | #682 | 347 |
| 2000 | #625 | 300 |
| 1990 | #495 | 386 |
| 1980 | #750 | 137 |
| 1970 | #750 | 120 |
| 1960 | #1,027 | 56 |
| 1950 | #2,166 | 13 |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1930 | #4,348 | 5 |
| 1920 | #2,890 | 10 |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
How popular is Markus, counting every spelling?
Markus is a spelling of Marcus, a name family that ranked #189 for boys in 2025 once every spelling is counted together, compared with #1,336 for Markus on its own. Together these spellings went to 2,064 boys in 2025.
| Spelling | Babies 2025 | Official rank | Babies 2021–2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marcus | 1,341 | #258 | 7,218 |
| Marcos | 579 | #517 | 3,083 |
| Markus | 144 | #1,336 | 782 |
| Markese | — | — | 54 |
Spellings count together when they sound the same in American English and are used for the same sex; nicknames and forms that sound different (such as Theo and Theodore) are kept apart. How we group spellings.
How many kids will share the name Markus?
144 of the 3,606,400 babies born in the US in 2025 were named Markus (0.04 per 1,000 births). For a boy named Markus born in 2025, the chance that another child with the same name is in a class of 20 children the same age is under 1 in 50. If every grade liked the name as much as the 2025 babies do, only about one elementary school in 58 (of 430 pupils) would have a child named Markus.
Shares of all registered births (NCHS); classes assumed to be children born the same year. How we estimate this.
How old are people named Markus?
About 14,200 people born in the US named Markus are alive today, with a median age of 27; half are between 16 and 38. That makes Markus mostly worn by children and young adults.
Babies given the name each year (SSA) times the share of that birth year still alive (SSA life tables). Counts people born in the US only. Method.
Markus by state
How common Markus was among boys born in each state in 2021–2025. It is notably more common than nationally in Indiana (1.7×), Ohio (1.6×). In 32 states fewer than five boys a year got the name, too few for SSA to publish, so those states show as zero.
Names with a similar history
These names rose and fell in step with Markus: their share of US boys followed the most similar curve since 1880. If you like Markus, they share its era and feel.
Questions about the name Markus
What does Markus mean?
The origin of Marcus is uncertain: Linked with the god Mars or with Etruscan Marce; neither is certain.
How popular is the name Markus?
Markus was the 1336th most popular name for boys in 2025, given to 144 babies. Its best year was 1990, when it ranked 495th; the most babies were born in 1994 (396). Over the last ten years it has moved down 469 places. More babies were named Markus in the 1990s than in any other decade.
Is Markus a boy or girl name?
In 2021–2025, almost always a boy’s name given the name Markus in the US.
Where is Markus most popular?
In 2021–2025, Markus was most common in Indiana (0.16 per 1,000 boys), followed by Ohio and Michigan.