Declining since 1985, #4,396 for boys today.
Popularity of Marques since 1952
Babies named Marques per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 29 |
| 1960s | 48 |
| 1970s | 772 |
| 1980s | 2,416 |
| 1990s | 1,796 |
| 2000s | 2,034 |
| 2010s | 807 |
| 2020s | 168 |
Meaning & origin
Marques is an English variant of the French title Marquis, a name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1952. Its peak popularity came in 1984, when it ranked higher among newborn boys. Since then, usage has been falling steadily, and in 2025 it ranks 4,396th with a 1-in-74,264 frequency. The name is almost exclusively given to boys and has never been recorded as a top state favorite. Marques remains a distinctive choice for parents seeking a name with noble undertones and modern American usage.
Marques is an English variant of the French title Marquis, which referred to a noble rank above count and below duke. The title, from Old French 'marchis' (ruler of a border territory), was occasionally adopted as a given name in the United States during the mid-20th century, possibly influenced by the popularity of the Marquis of Queensberry rules in boxing or by famous bearers like the inventor of the cotton gin, Eli Whitney's associate Phineas Miller, who held the title Marquis? More likely, the name gained visibility through figures such as the American football player Marques Johnson.
Where Marques is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mark, Marq
Sibling names for Marques
Names that share Marques's style, for a brother or sister.
