Boy · 56th of 6,773
Marvin
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
255,401
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1928
Peak Popularity Year
4,484
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Marvin 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
Marvin originates from the Old Welsh name 'Mervyn', meaning 'sea beloved'. It has evolved through historical forms such as Mervyn and Merfyn. The name is associated with a warm and friendly image and does not have significant biblical relevance. It gained popularity in the 19th century and has notable bearers in various fields.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈmɑːrvɪn/
Origin
Old Welsh
Etymology
The name Marvin is derived from the Old Welsh name 'Mervyn', which is composed of the elements 'mer', meaning 'sea', and 'myn', meaning 'beloved'.
Meaning
sea beloved
Language Evolution
Mervyn, Merfyn
Historical Usage
Marvin gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the 19th century, particularly in Wales and among Welsh communities. It became more widely recognized in the United States in the early 20th century.
Variants & Derivatives
Mervyn, Marv
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Marvin is seen as a classic name with a vintage charm, often associated with a friendly and approachable personality.
Famous People
Marvin Gaye, Marvin Hamlisch, Marvin Minsky
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 4,484 peak births in 1928
Geographic Spread
Popular across 50 US states, with strongest presence in South Dakota
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 5 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 | 63rd of 7545 | 50,717 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 56th of 6773 | 71,645 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 106th of 7552 | 64,972 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 156th of 10718 | 28,540 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 243rd of 16616 | 17,637 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 370th of 24088 | 12,484 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 577th of 23106 | 5,816 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 1802nd of 9107 | 378 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1638th of 9204 | 436 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 2633rd of 12526 | 351 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 3487th of 19264 | 298 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 7894th of 27321 | 142 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 35406th of 35406 | 5 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 30306th of 30306 | 5 |