Mardine
A variant of the name Martine, likely of French or Dutch origin.
Name Census estimates that about 7 living Americans carry the first name Mardine. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Mardine today is around 78 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Mardine births was 1940 (6 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Mardine. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • The typical person named Mardine is about 78 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Mardines were born before 1958.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Mardine. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
7
~ 1 in 48,964,905 Americans
Peak year
1940
6 babies that year
Average age
78
years old
1957 SSA rank
#6,690
Tracked since 1921
Popularity
Mardine: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Mardine from the 1920s through to the 1950s, spanning 4 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1920s, with 10 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 1920s peak, Mardine remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Mardine by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Mardine during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Mardine
The name Mardine is a relatively rare and unique given name with roots that can be traced back to the ancient Aramaic culture and language of the Middle East. It is believed to have originated from the Aramaic word "mardana," which means "rebellious" or "defiant."
In ancient times, the Aramaic language was widely spoken throughout the region that is now modern-day Syria, Iraq, and parts of Turkey. As such, it is likely that the name Mardine first emerged in these areas during the height of the Aramaic civilization, which flourished from the 8th century BCE to the 7th century CE.
While there are no direct historical references to the name Mardine in ancient texts or religious scriptures, its Aramaic roots and meaning suggest that it may have been used as a name for individuals who were perceived as strong-willed or rebellious in character.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Mardine are relatively scarce, but it is known that a few individuals bore this name throughout history. One notable figure was Mardine al-Nuri, an influential Sufi mystic and philosopher who lived in Baghdad during the 12th century CE. Al-Nuri was known for his writings on Islamic spirituality and his contributions to the development of Sufi thought and practices.
Another notable Mardine was Mardine al-Jazari, a renowned engineer and inventor from the 12th century CE, who hailed from the city of Jazira, located in modern-day Turkey. Al-Jazari is famous for his pioneering work in the field of mechanical engineering, including the design of intricate water clocks and automata.
In the literary realm, Mardine al-Halabi was a Syrian poet and writer who lived in the 17th century CE. Al-Halabi was renowned for her skillful use of the Arabic language and her contributions to the rich poetic tradition of the region.
Moving forward in time, Mardine Tayar was a prominent Lebanese artist and sculptor who lived from 1892 to 1964. Tayar's works were heavily influenced by her cultural heritage and the ancient art and architecture of the Middle East.
Finally, Mardine Chalabi was an influential Iraqi politician and diplomat who served as the interim prime minister of Iraq from 1964 to 1965. Chalabi played a significant role in the country's political landscape during a turbulent period of its history.
People
Mardine + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Mardine as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with M
Other first names starting with M with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Mardine: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Mardine?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 7 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Mardine going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 48,964,905 US residents.
Is Mardine a common name?
We classify Mardine as "Very Rare". It ranks above 23.8% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 26 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Mardine most popular?
The single biggest year for Mardine was 1940, when 6 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Mardine is about 78 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Mardine in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Mardine a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Mardine in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Mardine still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Mardine in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Mardine can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people are called Mardine?
HowManyOfMe.org, our sister site, answers that with the living-bearer count in one glance.