boys' name · peaked 1984

Marcus

Every Marcus since 1880 — 242,999 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
123418801900192019401960198020002020BoysGirls
BoysGirls
Rank 2025
#258
among boys
Babies in 2025
1,341
named Marcus
Peak year
1984
6,060 babies
All-time total
242,999
since 1880

The story of Marcus

Marcus is moderately common for boys in the United States, ranked #258 in 2025 with 1,341 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1880, 242,999 American babies have been named Marcus. Its peak came in 1984, when 6,060 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1980s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Marcus stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Marcus year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Girls Girls rank Boys Boys rank
2025 1,341 #258
2024 1,382 #256
2023 1,400 #250
2022 5 #16,845 1,479 #235
2021 1,616 #228
2020 1,661 #226
2019 1,722 #218
2018 1,901 #209
2017 5 #17,500 2,037 #194
2016 5 #17,895 2,183 #183
2015 2,481 #168
2014 2,620 #157
2013 2,536 #159
2012 5 #18,580 2,718 #149
2011 2,814 #145
2010 5 #18,824 3,131 #130
2009 3,409 #123
2008 5 #19,413 3,392 #125
2007 5 #19,442 3,670 #117
2006 3,813 #112
2005 3,477 #116
2004 22 #5,685 3,480 #116
2003 7 #13,317 3,395 #119
2002 5 #17,138 3,544 #106
2001 9 #10,676 3,696 #104
2000 14 #7,425 3,797 #99
1995 13 #6,891 4,647 #81
1990 31 #3,483 5,304 #72
1985 65 #1,751 5,586 #61
1980 45 #2,233 4,260 #71
1975 43 #2,040 3,969 #68
1970 30 #2,488 4,315 #71
1965 9 #4,701 1,373 #184
1960 6 #6,120 1,326 #210
1955 974 #228
1950 7 #4,578 556 #283
1945 280 #355
1940 250 #363
1935 226 #361
1930 277 #334
1925 312 #325
1920 321 #326
1915 307 #283
1910 63 #314
1905 53 #272
1900 48 #303
1895 36 #302
1890 33 #301
1885 44 #250
1880 47 #242

Famous people named Marcus

  1. Marcus Aurelius Politician · 121–180
  2. Marcus Licinius Crassus Politician · -115–-53
  3. Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa Military personnel · -63–-12
  4. Marcus Aemilius Lepidus Politician · -89–-13
  5. Marcus Terentius Varro Writer · -116–-27

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

How popular is the name Marcus in 2025?

Marcus ranked #258 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 1,341 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Marcus?

242,999 babies have been named Marcus in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Marcus most popular?

Marcus peaked in 1984, when 6,060 newborns received the name.

Is Marcus a boy or girl name?

Marcus is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 99% of babies with the name.

Is the name Marcus rising or falling?

Marcus is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Marcus?

Well-known people named Marcus include Marcus Aurelius (politician), Marcus Licinius Crassus (politician), Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa (military personnel).

Names like Marcus

Compare Marcus with similar names →