Markus is a name of Latin origin, derived from the Roman family name Marcus. The name Marcus is thought to have originated from the Etruscan word "maru", which means "dedicated to Mars". Mars was the Roman god of war and agriculture.
The name Markus has been used throughout history in various forms across different cultures. In ancient Rome, it was a common praenomen (first name) among the patrician class. It is believed that the Emperor Augustus had a grandson named Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa who was a prominent military leader and statesman.
The name Markus has also been associated with several notable figures throughout history. One of the most famous was Saint Markus, one of the four evangelists whose gospel is included in the New Testament of the Bible. He is believed to have written his gospel around 60-70 AD while living in Alexandria, Egypt.
Over time, the name Markus has spread beyond its Latin and Roman roots and has been adopted by many different cultures. It is now a popular name in countries such as Germany, Sweden, Finland, and Norway. In some languages, such as Finnish, Markus is often shortened to Marko or Markku.
Overall, Markus is a strong and historic name with a rich background that spans centuries and continents. Its meaning, "dedicated to Mars", reflects its warrior origins and continues to inspire today those who bear this powerful name.
The name Markus experienced a significant surge in popularity from the late 1950s onwards, with the highest number of births occurring in 1988 (317 births). However, there has been a steady decline in its usage since the early 2000s, with only 139 births recorded in 2023. Overall, Markus was given to 14632 newborns over the course of these statistics.