Marvin
From Welsh Merfyn (“Mervyn”), probably from mêr (“marrow”) + myn (“eminent”).
Every Marvin since 1880 — 255,807 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Marvin
Marvin is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #699 in 2025 with 385 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 255,807 American babies have been named Marvin. Its peak came in 1928, when 4,484 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1920s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Marvin stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Marvin year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | 385 | #699 |
| 2024 | — | — | 409 | #672 |
| 2023 | — | — | 433 | #637 |
| 2022 | — | — | 457 | #612 |
| 2021 | — | — | 450 | #619 |
| 2020 | — | — | 451 | #607 |
| 2019 | 5 | #17,141 | 477 | #584 |
| 2018 | — | — | 482 | #574 |
| 2017 | — | — | 487 | #560 |
| 2016 | — | — | 534 | #542 |
| 2015 | — | — | 522 | #548 |
| 2014 | — | — | 572 | #493 |
| 2013 | — | — | 550 | #498 |
| 2012 | — | — | 581 | #471 |
| 2011 | — | — | 578 | #465 |
| 2010 | — | — | 636 | #431 |
| 2009 | — | — | 711 | #415 |
| 2008 | — | — | 827 | #372 |
| 2007 | — | — | 887 | #356 |
| 2006 | — | — | 897 | #344 |
| 2005 | — | — | 810 | #365 |
| 2004 | 5 | #17,848 | 803 | #352 |
| 2003 | — | — | 870 | #333 |
| 2002 | — | — | 802 | #341 |
| 2001 | — | — | 809 | #341 |
| 2000 | — | — | 815 | #336 |
| 1995 | — | — | 843 | #314 |
| 1990 | 7 | #10,941 | 1,216 | #237 |
| 1985 | 15 | #5,001 | 1,142 | #212 |
| 1980 | 11 | #6,169 | 1,224 | #199 |
| 1975 | 15 | #4,280 | 1,309 | #177 |
| 1970 | 9 | #5,662 | 2,036 | #153 |
| 1965 | 21 | #2,722 | 2,969 | #109 |
| 1960 | 17 | #3,064 | 3,278 | #119 |
| 1955 | 16 | #2,912 | 3,659 | #94 |
| 1950 | 15 | #2,739 | 3,493 | #93 |
| 1945 | 17 | #2,122 | 3,294 | #80 |
| 1940 | 21 | #1,775 | 3,502 | #63 |
| 1935 | 23 | #1,591 | 4,278 | #45 |
| 1930 | 35 | #1,283 | 4,404 | #48 |
| 1925 | 26 | #1,681 | 4,092 | #51 |
| 1920 | 24 | #1,734 | 3,244 | #62 |
| 1915 | 15 | #2,106 | 2,227 | #72 |
| 1910 | 8 | #1,880 | 413 | #84 |
| 1905 | 5 | #2,131 | 215 | #100 |
| 1900 | — | — | 176 | #130 |
| 1895 | — | — | 107 | #144 |
| 1890 | — | — | 99 | #143 |
| 1885 | — | — | 65 | #197 |
| 1880 | — | — | 69 | #184 |
Famous people named Marvin
- Marvin Gaye Singer · 1939–1984
- Marvin Minsky Computer scientist · 1927–2016
- Marvin Harris Anthropologist · 1927–2001
- Marvin Hamlisch Composer · 1944–2012
- Marvin Hart Politician · 1876–1931
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Marvin mean?
From Welsh Merfyn (“Mervyn”), probably from mêr (“marrow”) + myn (“eminent”).
How popular is the name Marvin in 2025?
Marvin ranked #699 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 385 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Marvin?
255,807 babies have been named Marvin in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Marvin most popular?
Marvin peaked in 1928, when 4,484 newborns received the name.
Is Marvin a boy or girl name?
Marvin is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name Marvin rising or falling?
Marvin is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Marvin?
Well-known people named Marvin include Marvin Gaye (singer), Marvin Minsky (computer scientist), Marvin Harris (anthropologist).