Declining since 1998, #3,379 for boys today.
Popularity of Marshal since 1880
Babies named Marshal per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1999, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Marshal's real moment was 1894.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 61 |
| 1890s | 35 |
| 1900s | 49 |
| 1910s | 275 |
| 1920s | 404 |
| 1930s | 315 |
| 1940s | 355 |
| 1950s | 391 |
| 1960s | 319 |
| 1970s | 441 |
| 1980s | 570 |
| 1990s | 834 |
| 2000s | 695 |
| 2010s | 519 |
| 2020s | 222 |
Meaning & origin
Marshal is a name with occupational roots, derived from the Old French 'mareschal' meaning a horse servant or farrier, later evolving into a title for a high-ranking officer. As a given name, it remains relatively rare, ranking 3,379 in 2024 with 1 in 50,238 babies receiving the name. Its peak popularity occurred in 1894, reflecting a period when occupational surnames as first names were fashionable. Since 1998, the name has been steadily declining in use. The spelling 'Marshal' is less common than the variant 'Marshall', which has seen more sustained usage. Top states for the name include Texas, indicating regional preference. While historically masculine, the name's resemblance to 'Marshall' may occasionally be used for girls, but data shows it is overwhelmingly given to boys.
Marshal derives from the Old French 'mareschal', which itself comes from Frankish 'marhskalk' (horse servant). The word evolved into an occupational surname for a high-ranking officer, eventually used as a first name. Its use as a given name is relatively modern, primarily in English-speaking countries, often reflecting family surname traditions.
Where Marshal 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: Marsh, Marty
Variants: Marshall
Sibling names for Marshal
Names that share Marshal's style, for a brother or sister.
