Find out how popular the first name Marseille has been for the last 12 years (from 2013 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Marseille by gender

Based on the last 12 years of data, Marseille is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Marseille.

The history of the first name Marseille

The name Marseille originates from the French city of the same name, which was founded around 600 BC by Greek settlers from the city of Phocaea in modern-day Turkey. The name Marseille is derived from the ancient Greek phrase "massalia" or "massalía," meaning "a settlement" or "a trading post."

The city of Marseille was an important trading hub in the ancient Mediterranean world, and its name became closely associated with maritime commerce and international trade. The name Marseille first appeared in written records during the Roman period, when the city was known as Massilia.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Marseille was Marseille de Provençe (c. 1190-1257), a French nobleman and troubadour from the region of Provence. He was known for his romantic poetry and his participation in the Crusades.

Another notable figure was Marseille d'Aubigny (c. 1310-1376), a French soldier and diplomat who served as a chamberlain to King John II of France. He was captured during the Battle of Poitiers in 1356 and held for ransom by the English.

In the 16th century, Marseille de Baux (c. 1495-1545) was a French nobleman and military leader who fought in the Italian Wars and served as the governor of Marseille. He played a key role in defending the city against the Holy Roman Empire during the siege of Marseille in 1524.

During the Renaissance, Marseille de Viviers (c. 1520-1592) was a French poet and translator who was renowned for his translations of classical Greek and Latin works into French. He was also a member of the famous literary circle known as the Pléiade.

In the 19th century, Marseille Desbordes-Valmore (1786-1859) was a French Romantic poet and novelist who gained recognition for her lyrical poetry and her depictions of domestic life. She was admired by contemporaries such as Victor Hugo and Alfred de Musset.

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

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

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