The name Marquis is of French origin and it means "nobleman" or "ruler". It comes from the word 'marquis', which was originally used to refer to a member of the nobility ranking below a duke but above a count. The name has been popular throughout history, particularly in France, where it was often given to noblemen and their children.
The use of Marquis as a given name is a more recent phenomenon. It began to be used as a first name in the United States during the early 20th century, likely due to its association with nobility and power. Today, Marquis is considered a strong and distinctive name that continues to gain popularity around the world.
Some notable people who bear the name Marquis include American basketball player Marquis Daniels, Jamaican reggae musician Marquis DaVincci, and French footballer Marquis Fofana. Despite its historical roots in nobility, Marquis has been embraced by people from diverse backgrounds and is now considered a unisex name.
The name Marquis has a rich history of usage in the United States, with fluctuations in popularity over time. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the name was relatively uncommon, with fewer than 15 births per year recorded between 1880 and 1937.
However, starting in 1938, there was a significant increase in the number of births with the name Marquis. This trend continued throughout the 1940s and 1950s, with the highest number of births occurring in 1954, at 21 births that year.
The 1960s saw a continued rise in popularity for the name Marquis, with the number of births increasing from 19 in 1963 to 36 in 1968. This trend accelerated into the 1970s, with over 100 births recorded every year between 1970 and 1982.
The peak of popularity for the name Marquis occurred in the late 1980s and early 1990s, with a total of 1037 births recorded in 1990 alone. This was followed by a period of decline, however, with the number of births falling to 140 in 2022.
Despite this recent decrease in popularity, Marquis remains a classic and respected name with a long history of usage in the United States. With over 24,341 total births recorded since 1880, Marquis is sure to continue being a beloved choice for parents looking for a strong and distinctive name for their child.