Find out how popular the first name Markian has been for the last 46 years (from 1976 to 2021) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Markian by gender

Based on the last 46 years of data, Markian is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2021, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Markian.

The history of the first name Markian

The name Markian has its origins in the Late Roman Empire, deriving from the Latin name Marcus. It became popularized during the Byzantine era as a Christian name, particularly among Eastern Orthodox Christians.

Marcus was a Roman praenomen (given name) that was widespread throughout the Roman Republic and Empire. The name is believed to be derived from the word mas, meaning "male" or "masculine" in Latin. It was a common praenomen among the patrician class of ancient Rome.

One of the earliest known references to the name Markian can be found in the form of Saint Markian of Syracuse, a 4th-century bishop and martyr who lived during the reign of the Roman Emperor Diocletian. He is celebrated as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches.

In the 5th century, the name Markian gained prominence with the rise of the Byzantine Emperor Markian (395-457), who ruled the Eastern Roman Empire from 450 to 457 AD. He is remembered for his efforts to promote religious unity and his support for the Council of Chalcedon, which defined the doctrine of the dual nature of Christ.

Another notable figure in history bearing the name Markian was Markian of Tracia (c. 390-457), a Byzantine military leader and the father of Emperor Markian. He played a significant role in defending the Eastern Roman Empire against the Huns and other invading forces.

In the 6th century, Markian of Bethlehem (c. 530-590) was a Christian monk and theologian who lived in the Monastery of St. Sava in Palestine. He is renowned for his contributions to the development of Byzantine hymnography and liturgical poetry.

During the Middle Ages, the name Markian was particularly popular among Eastern Orthodox Christians, especially in areas influenced by the Byzantine Empire, such as Greece, Bulgaria, and parts of the Balkans. One notable bearer of the name was Markian of Trani (c. 1125-1192), an Italian monk and hagiographer who wrote extensively about the lives of saints.

While the name Markian has its roots in ancient times, it has remained in use throughout history, particularly in Eastern Orthodox Christian communities. The name's association with figures such as saints, emperors, and scholars has contributed to its enduring legacy and cultural 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 Markian was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Markian, 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!