Mario

Of Mars — a boy name of Italian origin

GenderBoy
OriginItalian
MeaningOf Mars
PronunciationMAR-ee-oh

Popularity of Mario in the United States

#438Rank in 2025
721Births in 2025
#102 in 1980Peak Popularity
↓ Declining10-Year Trend

Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA). Based on all Social Security card applications for births in the United States.

Meaning & Origin of Mario

Mario is the Italian and Spanish form of the Roman name Marius, likely derived from Mars, the god of war, though some scholars connect it to the Latin "mas," meaning "male" or "manly." It has been a staple name across Italy, Spain, and Latin America for centuries and gained an entirely new dimension of global fame through Nintendo's video game character Mario, introduced in 1981 and now one of the most recognizable fictional characters in the world. The name balances old-world Mediterranean tradition with unmistakable modern pop-culture recognition.

Mario Around the World

Mario is used in 4 languages worldwide, with 12+ international variants.

Languages
ItalianSpanishDutchSlovene
Details

Female FormMaria

International Variants
MariusLatin
MariuszPolish
Marij
Máriusz
Marlo
Màriu
MarionEnglish
Mário
Martio
MàriusCatalan
MárióHungarian
Mario

Linguistic data: Wikidata (CC0). Variants and language usage may vary by region.

Nicknames for Mario

Mar

Famous People Named Mario

  • Mario Lopez — American actor and television host
  • Mario Andretti — Italian-American racing driver
  • Mario — Nintendo's iconic video game character

Similar Names to Mario

If you like Mario, you might also consider these names with a similar feel.

Also consider:RafaelDario

Sibling Name Ideas for Mario

Looking for names that pair well with Mario? Here are some sibling name suggestions that share a similar style and feel.

SofiaGabrielaLucaValentinaRafael

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Mario mean?

Mario is a boy name of Italian origin meaning "Of Mars." Mario is the Italian and Spanish form of the Roman name Marius, likely derived from Mars, the god of war, though some scholars connect it to the Latin "mas," meaning "male" or "manly." It has been a staple name across Italy, Spain, and Latin America for centuries and gained an entirely new dimension of global fame through Nintendo's video game character Mario, introduced in 1981 and now one of the most recognizable fictional characters in the world.

How do you pronounce Mario?

Mario is pronounced MAR-ee-oh. Common variations include Marius, Marios, Mareo.

Is Mario a boy name?

Yes, Mario is traditionally a boy name. Popular nicknames include Mar.

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