Makaveli first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Makaveli has been for the last 27 years (from 1997 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Makaveli

An English masculine given name derived from Machiavelli, alluding to the Italian philosopher and author.

Popularity of Makaveli by gender

Based on the last 27 years of data, Makaveli is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 9 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Makaveli.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 9 0
2022 12 0
2021 8 0
2020 6 0
2019 9 0
2018 9 0
2016 5 0
2015 5 0
2014 8 0
2013 6 0
2012 5 0
2009 8 0
2008 5 0
2007 6 0
2005 7 0
2003 5 0
1997 11 0

The history of the first name Makaveli

The name Makaveli is a relatively modern name with roots in ancient Rome. It is derived from the Latin name "Machiavelli," which was the surname of the famous Italian Renaissance philosopher and political theorist Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527). Machiavelli's works, such as "The Prince," had a profound impact on political thought and strategy, and his name became associated with cunning and pragmatic approaches to power and governance.

The name Makaveli gained popularity in the late 20th century, particularly in the world of hip-hop and rap music. It is believed to have been first adopted as a stage name by the American rapper Tupac Shakur (1971-1996), who used the pseudonym "Makaveli" as a reference to Machiavelli's principles and his own philosophical and political views.

Tupac Shakur, one of the most influential and iconic figures in hip-hop history, embraced the name Makaveli as a symbol of his revolutionary spirit and his desire to challenge the status quo. He released an album titled "The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory" under the alias Makaveli in 1996, shortly before his untimely death.

Beyond Tupac Shakur, the name Makaveli has been adopted by other artists and public figures as a nod to Machiavellian principles or as a tribute to Tupac's legacy. For example, the American rapper Royce da 5'9" (born Ryan Daniel Montgomery in 1977) has used the alias "Nickel Nine" as a reference to Makaveli.

Another notable figure who embraced the name Makaveli was the American actor and rapper Earl Simmons (1970-2018), better known as DMX. He often incorporated Makaveli into his stage persona, reflecting his admiration for Tupac Shakur and his connection to the principles of strategic thinking and self-empowerment.

While the name Makaveli has its roots in ancient Rome and gained prominence through the works of Niccolò Machiavelli, it has taken on a new meaning and significance in modern popular culture, particularly in the realm of hip-hop and rap music, where it has become associated with political awareness, rebellion against the establishment, and strategic thinking.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Makaveli was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Makaveli, please contact us.

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"Makaveli first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on April 24, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/makaveli-meaning-and-history/.

"Makaveli first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/makaveli-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 24 April, 2025

Makaveli first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/makaveli-meaning-and-history/.

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