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Markham

♂ Boy

Pronounced MAR-kuhm /ˈmɑːr.kəm/High

Meaning: Markham comes from English places named for a 'mearc' (boundary mark) plus 'ham' (homestead or village) — literally the settlement at the boundary. It moved from place to surname to occasional first name.Medium

In 30 seconds: Markham is an English surname-turned-first-name meaning 'homestead at the boundary mark', said 'MAR-kuhm'.

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Origin MediumEnglish

MeaningMarkham comes from English places named for a 'mearc' (boundary mark) plus 'ham' (homestead or village) — literally the settlement at the boundary. It moved from place to surname to occasional first name.

U.S. rank (2022)#11772 ↘ Falling

2022 U.S. births6 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1959

Total births (all-time)≈ 469

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Markham began as an English place name from 'mearc' ('boundary, mark') and 'ham' ('homestead'), then became a locational surname borne by families from those villages. Like Grantham or Needham, it later slipped into use as a boy's first name.

As a first name it was always scarce, appearing in small numbers through the mid-twentieth century and holding a faint modern presence. It fits the enduring surname-as-first-name taste — think of it beside names like Markham the family name — but it has never been common.

Did you know? Markham entered use as a given name the way many English surnames did — carried over from a family name — and touched its small peak around 1959.

Overall data confidence 60%

References — Markham — English place/surname 'boundary homestead'Oxford surnames — Markham — mearc + ham etymology

Variations

MarkamMarcum

Nicknames

MarkMarkie

Famous Bearers

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If you like Markham…

Graham— another English -ham surname used as a first name

Markus— shares the Mark- opening and hard sound

Malcolm— a comparable two-beat surname-style boy's name

Grantham— a fellow English -ham place-and-surname name

Explore names like Markham

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Markham mean?

Markham is an English place and surname meaning 'homestead at the boundary mark'.

How do you pronounce Markham?

It's said MAR-kuhm /ˈmɑːr.kəm/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Markham a boy or girl name?

Markham is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Markham?

Markham is a rare surname-style boy's name in the U.S.