Find out how popular the first name Marcial has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Marcial by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Marcial is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 13 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Marcial.

The history of the first name Marcial

The name Marcial has its roots in ancient Rome, originating from the Latin word "Martialis," which means "of Mars" or "belonging to Mars." Mars was the Roman god of war, and the name was initially given to individuals associated with military service or those born under the astrological sign of Aries, which was also ruled by Mars.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Marcial can be found in the writings of the Roman poet and satirist Marcus Valerius Martialis, who lived from 40 to 104 AD. Martialis, which is the Latin form of Marcial, was his cognomen or family name, and it is believed that his ancestors may have been soldiers or held some association with the god Mars.

During the Middle Ages, the name Marcial gained popularity among Christians, particularly in Spain and Portugal, where it was often given to individuals born on or around the feast day of St. Martial, a 3rd-century bishop and evangelist who is considered the apostle of Aquitaine in France. Legends surrounding St. Martial's life and miracles contributed to the name's widespread use in these regions.

One of the earliest notable figures with the name Marcial was Marcial Avilés, a Spanish conquistador and explorer who accompanied Hernán Cortés in the conquest of Mexico in the early 16th century. Another prominent individual was Marcial Maciel, the controversial founder of the Legionaries of Christ, a Roman Catholic religious congregation, who was born in 1920 in Mexico.

In the realm of literature, Marcial Pombo was a renowned Colombian poet and journalist who lived from 1858 to 1925. His works, including the collection "Poemas" (Poems), made significant contributions to the literary landscape of his time.

Among athletes, Marcial Prado was a Chilean boxer who competed in the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, where he won a silver medal in the lightweight division. He was born in 1939 and is considered one of Chile's greatest boxers.

Throughout history, the name Marcial has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, from military leaders and religious figures to writers, artists, and athletes. While its origins lie in ancient Roman mythology, the name has endured and adapted across different cultures and eras, reflecting its enduring appeal and historical significance.

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 Marcial was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!