Jean-Marc

Jean-Marc is a French masculine given name that combines Jean and Marc, two classic names with deep roots in French onomastics.

Etymology

The name is a compound of Jean, the modern French form of the Old French Jehan (ultimately from Latin Ioannes via Greek Iōannēs, from Hebrew Yohanan meaning "Yahweh is gracious"), and Marc, the French form of Marcus, a Latin name traditionally derived from Mars, the Roman god of war. Jean has been the most popular male name in France from the 12th century until 1958, while Marc has also been common, especially after the 1960s. The hyphenated form became popular 20th-century practice, reflecting a trend toward double-barreled names.

Notable Bearers

The name is borne by an array of figures in diverse fields: Jean-Marc Ayrault served as Prime Minister of France (2012–2014); Jean-Marc Barr is an actor known for The Big Blue; Jean-Marc Adjovi-Bocco is a Beninese footballer; others include director Jean-Marc Bustamante, politician Jean-Marc Roubaud, and photographer Jean-Marc Berlière.

Cultural Significance

Typical contemporary naming pattern of compound first names out of traditional saints' names—Saint John and Saint Mark. The two names are Jan and Marc are consistently given worldwide, though national variations like other New Testament names combined exist.

• Meaning: Combination of Jean and Marc
• Origin: French
• Type: Given name
• Usage: Predominantly French, also in other Francophone regions