Martine

Meaning & origin

Martine is a French feminine form of Martin, with origins in the Latin Martinus, meaning 'dedicated to Mars.' It first appeared in U.S. records in 1894, but its most prominent era was the mid-20th century, reaching a peak rank of 10,917 in 1981, when 1 in 200,908 female births carried the name. Since 1986, its trajectory has been steadily declining, reflecting broader shifts away from traditional French names. Despite its low current usage, Martine retains a classic, refined quality, often associated with literary and artistic circles.

Martine is the French feminine form of Martin, derived from Latin Martinus, a name originally meaning 'of Mars' or 'dedicated to Mars,' the Roman god of war. It has been used in France since the Middle Ages, often in honor of Saint Martin of Tours. In English-speaking countries, Martine gained moderate use in the 20th century, peaking in the 1950s and 1960s.