Holding steady, #1,644 for boys today.
Popularity of Marcelino since 1888
Babies named Marcelino per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2006, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Marcelino's real moment was 2023.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 5 |
| 1890s | 5 |
| 1900s | 15 |
| 1910s | 196 |
| 1920s | 447 |
| 1930s | 431 |
| 1940s | 399 |
| 1950s | 471 |
| 1960s | 591 |
| 1970s | 681 |
| 1980s | 776 |
| 1990s | 954 |
| 2000s | 1,036 |
| 2010s | 869 |
| 2020s | 600 |
Meaning & origin
Marcelino is a steadfast Spanish and Italian diminutive of Marcelo, rooted in the ancient Roman name Marcellus and ultimately the war god Mars. In the United States, the name has maintained a consistent presence since first appearing in Social Security records in 1888. As of 2025, it holds rank 1644 with a 1-in-16,746 birth rate, reflecting a stable trajectory rather than a dramatic surge or decline. Its peak year occurred in 2023, suggesting a modest uptick in recent decades for classic Latin-derived names. The name is most common in Michigan, Arizona, and Tennessee, indicating a spread across diverse regions. Marcelino offers a recognizable yet distinctive choice for parents seeking a name with historical depth and a melodic, familiar sound.
Marcelino is a diminutive of Marcelo, the Spanish and Italian form of Marcellus, which itself is a diminutive of Marcus. Marcus is derived from the Roman god Mars, the god of war. Thus the name carries the meaning 'little warrior' or 'dedicated to Mars.' Marcelino has been used in the Spanish-speaking world for centuries and is also common in Italian-speaking regions.
Where Marcelino is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Marcelino” around the world
Where Marcelino lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
20
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mar, Marcel, Lino, Chino
Variants: Marcellino, Marcellinus
Sibling names for Marcelino
Names that share Marcelino's style, for a brother or sister.
