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The first name Martial

A boy’s name from Latin meaning “roman cognomen”, “the god mars”, “the planet mars”.

Pronounced /ˈmɑɹʃəl/ 2 syllables Male

Meaning and origin

Latin origin

Martial means “roman cognomen”, “the god mars”, “the planet mars” in Latin.

From Latin Martialis (“Roman cognomen”), from martiālis (“belonging or dedicated to the Mars, the Roman god of war, or to war”), from Mārs (“the god Mars; the planet Mars”) + -ālis (suffix forming adjectives of relationship from nouns).

From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Popularity

Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025

Martial last appeared in the official list in 2017, given to 3 boys. It peaked in 2016, with 3 births (#4,810).

0510 1996200020052010201520202025
6
babies named Martial, 1996–2025
#4,812
rank in 2017
2016
peak year

Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Martial with other names.

Popularity in the United States

Babies named Martial at birth, 1880–2025

In 2015, 5 boys born in the United States were named Martial, the 13,336th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1961, when 6 were.

0510 188018851890189519001905191019151920192519301935194019451950195519601965197019751980198519901995200020052010201520202025
47
babies named Martial since 1880
#13,336
rank in 2015
1961
peak year

US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

Martial in other languages

Equivalent forms of the name, from Wiktionary

Martialis
Dutch, also Martial
Marziale
Italian
Martialis
Latin
Marcjalis
Polish
Marcial
Portuguese
Marcial
Spanish
Марциа́л
Marciál
Bulgarian
Martialis
Hungarian
Марциа́л
Marciál
Russian

Spelled Martial in French, Danish and German too.

Famous people named Martial

13 on Wikidata, most written-about first

  • Saint Martial
    3rd century founding bishop of Limoges, 300–300
  • Martial Mbandjock
    French athletics competitor (born 1985)
  • Martial Solal
    French jazz pianist and composer (1927–2024)
  • Martial Raysse
    French plastician (born 1936)
  • Martial Gayant
    French cyclist, born 1962
  • Martial Gueroult
    French philosopher (1891–1976)
  • Martial d'Auvergne
    French poet, 1430–1508
  • Martial Valin
    French aviator (1898-1980)
  • Martial van Schelle
    Belgian bobsledder, swimmer, aviator, and businessman (1899-1943)
  • Martial Robin
    Footballer, born 1977
  • Martial Caillebotte
    French photographer, composer and philatelist (1853–1910)
  • Martial Payot
    French ski jumper (1900–1949)

More Latin boys’ names

Questions

What does the name Martial mean?
Martial means “roman cognomen”, “the god mars”, “the planet mars” in Latin.
What is the origin of the name Martial?
From Latin Martialis (“Roman cognomen”), from martiālis (“belonging or dedicated to the Mars, the Roman god of war, or to war”), from Mārs (“the god Mars; the planet Mars”) + -ālis (suffix forming adjectives of relationship from nouns).
How popular is the name Martial?
In 2017, 3 boys born in England and Wales were named Martial, ranking 4,812th. Its peak was 2016, with 3 births.
When was Martial most popular?
1961 in the United States, when 6 babies were named Martial, its highest rank at 3,908th.
How do you pronounce Martial?
Martial is /ˈmɑɹʃəl/, 2 syllables.