How to say it
MAR · shall
ˈmɑːr.ʃəl
Masculine
Marshall
Horse-servant, then commander
What it means
From a Norman French word that began as 'horse-servant' and rose to mean a high military or court official, a marshal.
Marshall comes from a Norman French occupational word that started humble, 'one who tends horses,' and climbed all the way to 'marshal,' a top military or court rank. As a surname turned first name it reads commanding and a little vintage. Marshall Mathers, better known as Eminem, is the modern face of it, and Marshall amplifiers add a rock-and-roll edge. Marsh is the rare short.
How to spell Marshall
The standard spelling is Marshall. Common variants include Marshal, Marshell, but Marshall is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #132 in 1886, currently #340 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed August 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Spelling
Marshall and Marshal both appear; the double-l is the usual given-name form.
- Pop culture
Marshall Mathers (Eminem) and the Marshall amplifier brand.
Who's worn it
- Marshall Mathers the rapper Eminem
- Thurgood Marshall first Black US Supreme Court justice (as a surname)
Spelling variants
- Marshal
- Marshell
Names with the same feeling
See Marshall from another angle
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Marshall mean?
- From a Norman French word that began as 'horse-servant' and rose to mean a high military or court official, a marshal.
- What does Marshall mean in Norman French?
- In Norman French, Marshall means "Horse-servant, then commander." Marshall comes from a Norman French occupational word that started humble, 'one who tends horses,' and climbed all the way to 'marshal,' a top military or court rank. As a surname turned first name it reads commanding and a little vintage. Marshall Mathers, better known as Eminem, is the modern face of it, and Marshall amplifiers add a rock-and-roll edge. Marsh is the rare short.
- How do you pronounce Marshall?
- Marshall is pronounced ˈmɑːr.ʃəl. Say it as MAR-shall, with the stress on the "mar" syllable.
- How do you spell Marshall?
- The standard spelling is Marshall. Common spelling variants include Marshal, Marshell.
- Is Marshall a boy or girl name?
- Marshall is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Marshall?
- Marshall ranked #340 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.