Marvin

At a Glance

Meaning

Probably 'eminent/great marrow' (marrow used figuratively for vigor or essence)

Origin

Welsh

Gender

Boy

Pronunciation

MAR-vinListen

Marvin is a Welsh boy's name with a vintage, classic feel, pronounced MAR-vin. It most likely means 'eminent' or 'great marrow,' with marrow standing in for vigor or essence. You may see it said to mean 'friend of the sea' or 'sea fortress,' but that comes from mistaking 'mer' for the French/Latin word for sea; the real Old Welsh elements are 'mer' (marrow) and 'myn' (eminent), with no connection to the sea.

Meaning & Origin of Marvin

Meaning: Probably 'eminent/great marrow' (marrow used figuratively for vigor or essence).

Origin: Welsh.

A common claim: Marvin/Mervyn means 'friend of the sea' or 'sea fortress' Actually: This is a folk etymology from mistaking 'mer' for the French/Latin word for 'sea.' The real Old Welsh elements are 'mer' (marrow) and 'myn' (eminent), with no connection to the sea.

Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.

How to Pronounce Marvin

Popularity of Marvin

Marvin peaked at #44 in 1933, when 4,131 babies were given the name. By 2024 it ranked #671, with 406 babies.

Names Like Marvin

These names share Marvin’s style, era or origin.

• Selwyn
• Cedric
• Douglas
• Erwin
• Glenda
• Morgan

FAQ

What does the name Marvin mean?

Probably ’eminent/great marrow’ (marrow used figuratively for vigor or essence). (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Marvin?

Marvin is pronounced MAR-vin (IPA: /ˈmɑːrvɪn/).

Is Marvin a popular name right now?

Marvin peaked at #44 in 1933 and is ranked #671 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)

Make Marvin Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Marvin, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.