Marcus (praenomen)
Introduction '''Marcus''' () is a Latin ''praenomen'', or personal name, which was one of the most common names throughout Roman history. The feminine form is ''Marca'' or ''Marcia''. The praenomen was used by both patrician and plebeian families, and gave rise to the patronymic ''gens Marcia'', as well as the ''cognomen Marcellus''. It was regularly abbreviated '''M. '''At all periods of Roman history, Marcus was the third-most popular praenomen, trailing only ''Lucius'' and ''Gaius''. Although many prominent families did not use it, it was a favorite of countless others. The name survived the Roman Empire and has continued to be used, in various forms, into modern times.
Origin and meaning of the name The praenomen Marcus is generally conceded to be derived from the name of the god Mars. It has been proposed that it was originally given to children who were born in the month of ''Martius'' (March), which was itself named in honor of the god Mars.The feminine form of Marcus should be ''Marca''. However, surviving examples indicate that ''Marcia'', with an "i", was more common. The same was true of the praenomen ''Tita'' or ''Titia''.The Etruscan form of this praenomen is ''Marce''.
See also * Roman naming conventions
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