Marvin
MAHR-vihn
Marvin is a Welsh name, an anglicised form of Merfyn or Myrddin (which also gives us Merlin), from mor (“sea”) and myn (“fortress” or possibly “topmost”)—“sea fortress.”
The name was used in medieval Wales and was brought to England through Norman connections. It became popular in early 20th-century America as a mainstream English given name divorced from its Welsh roots.
Marvin peaked at No. 44 in 1933 with 4,131 births. In 2024 it ranks No. 671 with 406 births, long past its Depression-era high.
What the name Marvin means
Soul singer Marvin Gaye (1939-1984) is the name’s most celebrated bearer. His album What’s Going On (1971) is among the most acclaimed in American music history.
Two syllables—MAR-vin—sound warm and familiar. The resonant r and the -vin close give it a dependable, retro character.
Parents choosing Marvin today often do so for the Marvin Gaye connection, embracing the name’s soulful musical heritage alongside its vintage English feel.
A possible revival is supported by the broader vintage-name trend: Marvin’s generation-skip cycle—peak in the 1930s, trough in the 2000s, tentative return in the 2020s—fits the pattern of similar names like Harvey and Gerald.
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 Marvin
Marvin - similar names
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