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 experienced significant popularity fluctuations over time. From the late 19th to early 20th century, there were consistently fewer than 15 births per year. However, around the mid-20th century, it began to rise dramatically, reaching a peak of 1037 births in 1990. Since then, its popularity has steadily declined, with only 135 births recorded in 2023. In total, over these years, there were 24,341 Marquis births.