Bismarck, originally a German noble family name, is of Old High German origin, derived from the word 'bison.' It is composed of two elements: 'bi' meaning 'of,' and '-smark,' an older term for 'marsh.' The name was first used as a surname before being adopted as a given name. In its early usage, it referred to someone who lived near a bison marsh or had some connection with such a location. Over time, the name Bismarck has gained international recognition due to prominent figures like Otto von Bismarck, the founding Chancellor of Germany's Second Empire.
Bismarck was quite popular as a baby name for boys in the early to mid 2000s, with a noticeable dip in usage during the late 90s and early 2010s.