Markiel first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Markiel has been for the last 12 years (from 1994 to 2005) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Markiel

Possible derivation from Hebrew "mar" meaning "bitter".

Popularity of Markiel by gender

Based on the last 12 years of data, Markiel is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2005, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Markiel.

Year Male Count Female Count
2005 5 0
2001 7 0
1996 6 0
1995 5 0
1994 5 0

The history of the first name Markiel

The name Markiel is of ancient Hebrew origin, derived from the Hebrew word "mar'kh," which means "bitter" or "grievous." It is believed to have emerged in the Middle East region during the early centuries of the common era, when Hebrew was widely spoken among Jewish communities.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Markiel can be traced back to the 3rd century CE, where it appears in several Jewish historical texts and rabbinical writings. One notable mention is found in the Talmud, a central text of Rabbinic Judaism, which references a figure named Markiel ben Eleazar, a renowned scholar and teacher who lived in the 3rd century.

Throughout the Medieval period, the name Markiel remained relatively obscure, with few documented cases of its use. However, it resurfaced in the 15th century with the birth of Markiel ben Isaac, a prominent Jewish philosopher and theologian who lived in Spain during the time of the Spanish Inquisition.

As the centuries passed, the name Markiel continued to be used sporadically within Jewish communities, but it was not until the 19th century that it gained wider recognition. One notable bearer of the name was Markiel Rosenberg (1825-1890), a German-born Jewish author and activist who played a significant role in advocating for Jewish emancipation and civil rights in Europe.

Another historical figure of note was Markiel Goldstein (1870-1948), a Russian-born Jewish mathematician and educator who made significant contributions to the field of mathematical analysis and taught at several prestigious universities in Europe and the United States.

In the 20th century, Markiel Novick (1901-1976) was a prominent American labor organizer and union leader who played a crucial role in the development of the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union (ILGWU) and fought tirelessly for workers' rights and better working conditions in the garment industry.

Despite its ancient roots and occasional appearances throughout history, the name Markiel has remained relatively uncommon, particularly in recent times. Its unique and distinctive sound, combined with its rich cultural and historical significance, have contributed to its enduring appeal among those seeking a name with a sense of tradition and heritage.

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

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

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"Markiel first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on August 2, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/markiel-meaning-and-history/.

"Markiel first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/markiel-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 2 August, 2025

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

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