Mark in Chinese
Mark in Chinese is 马克 (Mǎ Kè).
- Origin
- Latin
- Meaning
- warlike, of Mars
Etymologically, Mark is Latin and is commonly glossed as "warlike, of Mars". It has been in continuous US use since Social Security records begin in 1880, peaking in the 1960s. Names sharing the same root meaning include Marcus, Marco.
3 ways to write Mark
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
马克
Mǎ Kè
The standard transliteration of Mark: 马 (mǎ, "horse"), 克 (kè, "to overcome; gram"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
Mandarin has no consonant clusters, so the 1-syllable English name is spread over 2 characters: 马 mǎ + 克 kè. The tone contour is 3-4 (dipping, falling).
Character breakdown
10 strokes total (simplified)- 马
mǎ
Tone 3 · 3 strokes (simplified)
horse
- 克
kè
Tone 4 · 7 strokes (simplified)
to overcome; gram
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
勇毅
Yǒng Yì
Inspired by "warlike, of Mars": 勇 (yǒng, "brave, courageous") + 毅 (yì, "resolute, persevering"), expressing strength and courage.
Why these characters?
Because Mark is linked to "warlike", the name leads with 勇 (brave, courageous); 毅 (resolute, persevering) gives it a natural given-name finish.
Character breakdown
24 strokes total (simplified)- 勇
yǒng
Tone 3 · 9 strokes (simplified)
brave, courageous
- 毅
yì
Tone 4 · 15 strokes (simplified)
resolute, persevering
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
马威
Mǎ Wēi
马 (mǎ, "horse") + 威 (wēi, "power, majesty"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
It keeps 马 (mǎ), the same opening character as the transliteration 马克, for the "mark" sound, and replaces the rest with 威 ("power, majesty") so the whole reads as a real given name.
Character breakdown
12 strokes total (simplified)- 马
mǎ
Tone 3 · 3 strokes (simplified)
horse
- 威
wēi
Tone 1 · 9 strokes (simplified)
power, majesty
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 1,349,865 boys named Mark since 1880, with the high point in 1960 (58,731 births) and the busiest decade being the 1960s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #47 to #203 among boys.
- Peak year
- 1960
- Peak decade
- 1960s
- First year
- 1880
- Total since 1880
- 1,349,865
More About Mark in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Mark offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Mark, you'll find options that work for you.
Names with the same root meaning include Marcus in Chinese, and Marco in Chinese, which share similar origins or meanings.
If you're exploring Chinese names for boys, you might also be interested in Marcus in Chinese, Marco in Chinese, and Patrick in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Caleb in Chinese, Cody in Chinese, Elijah in Chinese, Mason in Chinese, and Cameron in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Mark, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Mark to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
How is Mark translated into Chinese?
马克 (Mǎ Kè), or 馬克 in traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
How many strokes does 马克 have?
10 strokes in simplified form and 17 in traditional; per character: 马 3, 克 7.
How popular is the name Mark?
US Social Security records show 1,349,865 boys named Mark since 1880, with the high point in 1960 (58,731 births) and the busiest decade being the 1960s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #47 to #203 among boys.