Markelle is a unisex given name of American origin, derived from the combination of two names: Marcus and Michelle. It has gained popularity as an independent name in recent years, particularly among parents seeking unique yet meaningful names for their children. The name Markelle was popularized by NBA player Markelle Fultz, who was drafted first overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2017. Despite its recent surge in popularity, there is no widespread agreement on how to pronounce or spell this name. Some people pronounce it as /mɑːrˈkɛl/ with a stress on the second syllable, while others use the pronunciation /ˈmɑːrkəl/ with a stress on the first syllable. Similarly, the spelling can vary; some opt for the traditional Markell, while others prefer the more contemporary Markelle. Regardless of its pronunciation and spelling, this distinctive name has carved out a unique space in the realm of modern baby names.
"Markelle appears to be a name with some popularity fluctuations over time, peaking in the late 1990s and early 2000s with around 14 births per year, but tapering off since then with years like 2009 and 2023 seeing only 5 births each. Overall, there have been a total of 222 babies named Markelle between 1985 and 2023."