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

Popularity of Marvel by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Marvel is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 67% of people named Marvel being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 28 male babies and 27 female babies born with the name Marvel.

The history of the first name Marvel

The name Marvel has its origins in the Latin word "mirabilis," which means "wonderful" or "marvelous." This name was likely first used during the early days of the Roman Empire, around the 1st century AD.

In ancient Roman texts and records, the word "mirabilis" was often used to describe something extraordinary or awe-inspiring. It's believed that the name Marvel was derived from this word and initially given to children as a way to express the parents' sense of wonder and joy at their birth.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Marvel can be found in the writings of the Roman philosopher and statesman, Seneca the Younger, who lived from 4 BC to 65 AD. He refers to a man named Marvel in one of his letters, suggesting that the name was in use during that time period.

Throughout the Middle Ages, the name Marvel remained relatively rare, but it did appear in various historical documents and records across Europe. For instance, a French nobleman named Marvel de Montfort is mentioned in the chronicles of the Crusades in the 12th century.

In the Renaissance period, the name Marvel gained some popularity, particularly in Italy. One notable figure from this era was Marvel Vettori, an Italian humanist and scholar who lived from 1435 to 1516. He was known for his work translating and commenting on ancient Greek texts.

During the 17th century, the name Marvel was occasionally used in England and other parts of the British Isles. One example is Marvel Westrop, an English landowner and politician who lived from 1620 to 1692.

In the 19th century, the name Marvel experienced a resurgence in popularity, particularly in the United States. One famous individual with this name was Marvel Mills, an American lawyer and politician who served as a U.S. Representative from Illinois from 1873 to 1877.

Another notable figure was Marvel Woodbury, an American businessman and philanthropist who lived from 1834 to 1913. He made a fortune in the textile industry and donated significant funds to various educational and cultural institutions.

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

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

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