Marvin is a masculine given name of American origin. It was created in the early 20th century as an American variant of the Old Germanic name Marven, which itself comes from the elements "mar" meaning "famous" and "vin" meaning "friend." Therefore, Marvin translates to "famous friend."
The name Marvin gained significant popularity during the mid-20th century in the United States. It peaked at its highest rank, number 173, on the Social Security Administration's list of most popular baby names in 1954. Despite this, it has since declined in usage and is now considered somewhat outdated.
Notable individuals with the name Marvin include Marvin Gaye, a renowned soul singer-songwriter from the 1960s and 70s; Marvin Minsky, an American computer scientist and cognitive scientist who played a central role in the development of artificial intelligence; and Marvin Lewis, an American football coach who is currently the head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals. These figures have contributed to the name Marvin's recognition and legacy throughout different fields.
While Marvin may not be as commonly used today compared to its peak popularity decades ago, it remains a distinctive name with a rich history and notable bearers. Its meaning, "famous friend," adds a touch of warmth and familiarity to this timeless moniker.
The name Marvin has been a part of American culture for over a century, with the first recorded birth in the United States occurring in 1902. Between then and now, there have been a total of 1615 births registered with the name Marvin.
Looking at the statistics year by year, we can see that the popularity of the name Marvin has fluctuated over time. In the early years, from 1902 to 1934, the number of births per year ranged between 5 and 40, with a significant increase in popularity happening during World War I.
The post-war period saw a steady decline in the number of babies named Marvin, reaching as low as 5 births in some years. However, from the mid-1960s to the late-1970s, there was another surge in popularity, with over 20 births per year during this time.
Interestingly, the name Marvin experienced a brief resurgence in the early 2000s, with 5 births recorded in both 2004 and 2019. This suggests that even today, some parents still choose to give their children this classic, timeless name.
In conclusion, while the popularity of the name Marvin has varied over time, it remains a significant part of American naming history, with hundreds of babies having been given this name across more than a century.