Boy · 123rd of 16,616
Martin
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
316,023
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1963
Peak Popularity Year
6,088
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Martin stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Martin originates from the Latin 'Martinus', meaning 'of Mars' or 'warlike'. It evolved through various languages including Old French and Middle English. The name is linked to strength and has no direct biblical relevance. It gained prominence in the medieval period due to the influence of Saint Martin of Tours. Today, it is a widely recognized name with several variants and is often viewed positively.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈmɑːrtɪn/
Origin
Latin
Etymology
The name Martin is derived from the Latin name 'Martinus', which is a diminutive form of 'Mars', the Roman god of war.
Meaning
Of Mars, warlike
Language Evolution
Martinus, Martinus (Latin), Martin (Old French), Martin (Middle English)
Historical Usage
The name Martin gained popularity in the early medieval period, particularly due to Saint Martin of Tours, who became a significant figure in Christianity.
Variants & Derivatives
Martine, Martyn, Martina, Marty
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Martin is perceived as a classic and timeless name, often associated with strength and reliability.
Famous People
Martin Luther King Jr., Martin Scorsese, Martin Sheen, Martin Freeman
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 6,088 peak births in 1963
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in New Mexico
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 4 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 80th of 7545 | 38,567 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 86th of 6773 | 43,407 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 80th of 7552 | 93,956 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 105th of 10718 | 47,310 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 123rd of 16616 | 39,994 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 204th of 24088 | 29,098 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 281st of 23106 | 14,983 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 2434th of 9107 | 234 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 2460th of 9204 | 230 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 2994th of 12526 | 289 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 3276th of 19264 | 329 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 4447th of 27321 | 327 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 19106th of 35406 | 45 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 30306th of 30306 | 5 |