Marc is a masculine given name of Latin origin that means "dedicated to Mars." Mars was the Roman god of war and agriculture, and his name is believed to have been derived from the Martian soil, which was thought to be rich in iron, giving it a reddish hue. Therefore, the name Marc has been associated with strength, courage, and fertility throughout history.
The name Marc has been used for centuries, with some of the earliest known bearers being Marcus Porcius Cato (234-149 BC), a Roman statesman and orator, and Marcus Antonius (83-30 BC), better known as Mark Antony, a Roman general and politician who played a significant role in the fall of the Roman Republic. The name was also popular among early Christians, with Saint Marc being one of the Four Evangelists, who wrote one of the four Gospels in the New Testament.
Over time, Marc has become a widespread given name across many cultures and languages. It is often associated with various notable figures throughout history, such as French poet Marc Antoine Jullien (1746-1820), Italian painter Marc Chagall (1887-1985), and American astronaut Marc Garneau (born 1949), who was the first Canadian to travel into space.
In terms of language variants, Marc is used widely in its original Latin form. However, it also has several variations across different languages, including Marco in Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Catalan; Markus in German; Marcin in Polish; and Marcos in Greek and Galician. The feminine forms are Marcella (Latin) and Marcia (English).
Today, Marc remains a popular given name around the world, often chosen by parents for its strong and timeless appeal. Its meaning, "dedicated to Mars," continues to be associated with strength, courage, and fertility, making it a fitting choice for many families.
The name Marc has been popular in the United States for several decades, with a total of 533 births recorded since 1946. The name saw its peak popularity in the late 1960s and early 1970s, with 25 births in 1970 and 23 births in 1971.
From 1946 to 1989, there were consistent fluctuations in the number of babies named Marc each year. The name saw its highest popularity during this period in 1966, with 13 births, followed by 16 births in 1967 and 18 births in 1968.
After 1989, the popularity of the name Marc began to decline, with fewer than 10 births recorded each year until 2000. Despite this decrease in popularity, the name Marc continues to be given to newborns in the United States, with 7 births recorded in both 1990 and 1992, and another 7 births in 1993.
Overall, the name Marc has a rich history of usage in the United States, with consistent popularity over several decades. While its popularity may have declined in recent years, it remains a classic and timeless choice for parents seeking a traditional and strong-sounding name for their child.