Boy New Testament Known
Mark
same as Marcus
Μάρκος Markos
Mark (Greek: Μάρκος, Markos) is a biblical name; its Greek etymology is not securely established. It appears in 10 verses across 5 books of the Bible. In 2025 it was given to 1,416 children in the United States, ranking 244. Use is falling away. Around 1,366,672 Americans have been given it since 1880. Appears in the same passages as Archippus.
The bearer in scripture
One person in scripture bears this name.
-
Mark
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 10 across 5 books
- Bearers
- 1 one person only
- Testament
- New
- Era
- Apostolic
The same name elsewhere
| Country | Form | Standing | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Mark | rank 244 · 1,416 in 2025 | Births in year |
| Brazil | MARCOS | 1,106,165 bearers · born 1930–2010 | Living residents |
| Spain | MARCOS | 99,572 bearers · mean age 25.4 | Living residents |
| Portugal | Marcos | permitted | IRN approved list |
Two different questions are shown here. Rows marked births in year count children registered during a period; rows marked living residents count people of every age alive at a census. They answer different questions and are never added together.
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 1,416 | Falling |
| All-time total | 1,366,672 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 58,860 in 1960 | Its highest year on record |
| Strongest state | CA | Highest share relative to births |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Acts 12:12 |
| Last appears | 1 Peter 5:13 |
| Cross-references | 240 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- John co-occurrence Appears with John in Acts 12.
- Luke co-occurrence Appears with Luke in Philemon 1.
- Mary co-occurrence Appears with Mary in Acts 12.
- Aristarchus co-occurrence Appears with Aristarchus in Colossians 4.
- Demas co-occurrence Appears with Demas in Philemon 1.
- Joseph co-occurrence Appears with Joseph in Acts 15.
- Barnabas co-occurrence Appears with Barnabas in Acts 15.
- Archippus co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Archippus.
Origin & meaning
Μάρκος, -ου, ὁ,
Mark: Mk., title., Act.12:12, 25 15:37, 39, Col.4:10, 2Ti.4:11, Phm 24, 1Pe.5:13 (see Swete, Mk., Intr., xiii ff.; DB, iii, 245 ff).†
(AS)
Mark (also called John), Barnabas' cousin and Paul's companion, was the author of the Gospel of Mark.
The biblical story
Mark, also known as John Mark, was a prominent figure in the early Christian church. He was the son of Mary, whose house in Jerusalem served as a meeting place for the believers (Act.12.12). Mark was also the cousin of Barnabas (Col.4.10) and accompanied Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey (Act.12.25; 13.5). However, he left them at Perga and returned to Jerusalem (Act.13.13), which later caused a disagreement between Paul and Barnabas (Act.15.37-39). Despite this, Mark remained active in ministry, as evidenced by Paul's later references to him as a fellow worker (Phm.1.24; 2Ti.4.11). He also worked closely with Peter, who referred to him as "my son Mark" (1Pe.5.13). Tradition holds that Mark wrote the Gospel that bears his name based on Peter's teachings, making it one of the earliest written accounts of Jesus' life and ministry.
Key verses
Mark appears in 10 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
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And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.
Acts 12:12 -
And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.
Acts 12:25 -
And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.
Acts 13:5 -
Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.
Acts 13:13 -
And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.
Acts 15:37
Show all 10 references
Acts (6)
- Acts 12:12
- Acts 12:25
- Acts 13:5
- Acts 13:13
- Acts 15:37
- Acts 15:39
Colossians (1)
- Colossians 4:10
2 Timothy (1)
- 2 Timothy 4:11
Philemon (1)
- Philemon 1:24
1 Peter (1)
- 1 Peter 5:13
Name variants & nicknames
- Marcus — Latin form
- Marcos — Spanish & Portuguese
- Markos — Greek form
- John Mark — his fuller name (Acts 12:25)