The nameMario
Mario is a boy's name of Latin origin, from the Roman family name Marius. Famous through a video game plumber, it is a classic in Italy and Spain.
- Boy's name
- Latin
Meaning
Mario comes from Marius, a Roman family name often linked to Mars, the god of war, or to mas, "male".
Origin
Latin, through Italian and Spanish.
History
Mario is common in Italy, Spain and Latin America. Super Mario, Nintendo's hero since 1981, made it famous worldwide. It reached the American top 110.
Did you know?
- Nintendo's hero was first called Jumpman in Donkey Kong (1981) before being renamed Mario.
Famous people named Mario
- Mario Andretti, racing driver
- Mario Vargas Llosa, writer
- Mario Draghi, Prime Minister of Italy
- Super Mario, video game hero
Popularity of the name Mario
Mario in the United States
Mario was most popular in the United States in the 1980s, with 26,705 births over the decade, 18% of all recorded babies named Mario. Its rise began around 1915, and it peaked in 1980. Half of all babies named Mario in the United States were born before 1986, so it is mostly a parents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 886 births a year on average, against 1,128 in the five years before.
Mario in the United Kingdom
Mario was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 775 births over the decade, 48% of all recorded babies named Mario. Half of all babies named Mario in the United Kingdom were born before 2015, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 59 births a year on average, against 92 in the five years before.
Mario in France
Mario in Switzerland
Mario in Austria
Mario in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Mario
Names from the same generation as Mario, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Mario? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Mario with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Mario side by side with the name of your choice.
Mario in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Mario mean?
Mario comes from Marius, a Roman family name often linked to Mars, the god of war, or to mas, "male".
What is the origin of the name Mario?
Latin, through Italian and Spanish.
Is Mario a girl's or a boy's name?
Mario is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Mario?
In 2024, Mario was the 398th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 808 births.
What are the variants of the name Mario?
Variants and related names of Mario include Marius and Marlo.
What are good sibling names for Mario?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Veronica, Priscilla, Rosa and Julie for a sister, Sergio, Cesar, Francisco and Victor for a brother.
Who are famous people named Mario?
Mario Andretti, racing driver; Mario Vargas Llosa, writer; Mario Draghi, Prime Minister of Italy; Super Mario, video game hero.