Martin
MAHR-tuhn
Martin derives from the Roman name Martinus, itself from Mars, the Roman god of war. The name carries the meaning “of Mars” or “warlike,” though its primary associations throughout history have been with peace and service rather than conflict.
The name’s widespread adoption across Europe owes much to Saint Martin of Tours (316-397), a Roman soldier who famously cut his military cloak in half to share with a freezing beggar.
He later became Bishop of Tours and one of the most venerated saints in Western Christianity.
What the name Martin means
Martin Luther (1483-1546), the German theologian who launched the Protestant Reformation in 1517, gave the name lasting significance in religious history.
Centuries later, Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968), named in honor of the reformer, became the foremost leader of the American civil rights movement.
In the US, Martin was at its most popular in the earliest SSA records, peaking at No. 45 in 1880. It remained a top-200 name through most of the 20th century before gradually declining in the 2000s as newer options displaced it.
By 2024, Martin ranked No. 308 with 1,101 births. The name has held in the 258-308 range for a decade, suggesting a durable floor of appeal that resists further erosion.
Martin is truly international, used across Germanic, Romance, Slavic, and Celtic languages with minimal spelling variation. It remains among the most common given names and surnames in Europe, from Spain to Scandinavia to Hungary.
Few names can claim associations with both a Roman god and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Martin’s range of historical bearers gives it a depth that transcends any single culture or era.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Martin
Martin - similar names
Not seeing what you want? Browse all names by origin or popularity