 Iorga proposes that Marcu was named after Prince Marko, a semi-legendary hero of the anti-Ottoman struggle "for Christendom".His other name was his father's "cognomen", meaning "Earring"—from Petru's distinguishing accessory.According to historian Maria-Venera Rădulescu, the heir-apparent must have spent his early years at the princely court in Târgoviște.