How to say it
MAR · tin
ˈmɑːr.tɪn
Masculine
Martin
Of Mars, warlike
What it means
From the Latin Martinus, derived from Mars, the Roman god of war.
Martin comes from the Latin Martinus, built on Mars, the god of war. St. Martin of Tours, the Roman soldier who cut his cloak in half to share with a beggar, made it one of Europe's most beloved names. It runs through history from Martin Luther to Martin Luther King Jr., a name of conscience as much as combat. Steady and classic in dozens of languages, it shortens to Marty.
How to spell Martin
The standard spelling is Martin. Common variants include Martín, Martijn, Marten, but Martin is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #45 in 1880, currently #335 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Nickname
Marty is the everyday short.
- Pop culture
From St. Martin of Tours to Martin Luther King Jr.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Martin Luther King Jr. American civil-rights leader
- St. Martin of Tours 4th-century soldier-saint who shared his cloak
Spelling variants
- Martín
- Martijn
- Marten
Names with the same feeling
See Martin from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Martin mean?
- From the Latin Martinus, derived from Mars, the Roman god of war.
- What does Martin mean in Latin?
- In Latin, Martin means "Of Mars, warlike." Martin comes from the Latin Martinus, built on Mars, the god of war. St. Martin of Tours, the Roman soldier who cut his cloak in half to share with a beggar, made it one of Europe's most beloved names. It runs through history from Martin Luther to Martin Luther King Jr., a name of conscience as much as combat. Steady and classic in dozens of languages, it shortens to Marty.
- How do you pronounce Martin?
- Martin is pronounced ˈmɑːr.tɪn. Say it as MAR-tin, with the stress on the "mar" syllable.
- How do you spell Martin?
- The standard spelling is Martin. Common spelling variants include Martín, Martijn, Marten.
- Is Martin a boy or girl name?
- Martin is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Martin?
- Martin ranked #335 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.