A 1920s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Marcella since 1880
Babies named Marcella per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 222 |
| 1890s | 706 |
| 1900s | 1,762 |
| 1910s | 8,080 |
| 1920s | 13,397 |
| 1930s | 7,915 |
| 1940s | 6,676 |
| 1950s | 6,616 |
| 1960s | 5,984 |
| 1970s | 3,891 |
| 1980s | 2,787 |
| 1990s | 2,306 |
| 2000s | 1,934 |
| 2010s | 1,897 |
| 2020s | 1,441 |
Meaning & origin
Marcella is a classic feminine name with Latin roots, meaning "dedicated to Mars." It ranked 948th in 2025, with approximately 1 in 5,909 newborn girls receiving the name. Its peak popularity occurred in 1922, when it was significantly more common. After declining for decades, Marcella has been rising again since 2010, reflecting a revival of vintage names from the 1920s. It has been most popular in states like Louisiana, Kansas, and Ohio, suggesting regional appeal.
Marcella is the feminine form of Marcellus, a Roman family name derived from Marcus, itself rooted in Mars, the Roman god of war. The name was common in early Christianity through a number of saintly figures, including a 4th-century Roman noblewoman Saint Marcella. It spread across Italy and Spain, then entered English-speaking use by the 19th century, enjoying moderate popularity in the early 1900s.
Where Marcella is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Marcie, Marcy, Ella, Cella
Sibling names for Marcella
Names that share Marcella's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Anna, Catherine, Francesca, Juliana, Teresa, Althea, Maurine, Willetta, Ardella, Arletta, Arvella, Delicia, Doretta, Hortensia, Lovella, Lynetta, Marcelina, Rozella, Annella, Bernadene, Christella, Claressa, Contina, Cyrilla, Darnella, Deloria, Donnabelle, Dorenda, Druscilla, Fontella, Marceil, Marchell, Marcile, Mardelle, Marilla, Maxene, Precilla, Priscella, Roxan, Suella, Teretha, Adelisa, Adilenne, Almadelia, Andretta, Armella, Claudetta, Costella, Delcia, Devita, Donnella, Florella, Ladona, Levenia, Loletta, Loreda, Lorella, Madora, Marcea, Marcena, Marcheta, Marlita, Melessia, Monetta, Raejean, Rochella, Rogena, Vermelle, Vitalia, Andora, Artina, Bernetha, Brenetta, Carnelia, Darcella, Decarla, Donatella, Drucella, Durenda, Felcia, Francelia, Glorine, Johnella, Karletta, Leomia, Marchella, Marchia, Marthella, Mazella, Mosella, Orilla, Renella, Rosezella, Vandella, Wilmetta
Brothers: Dominic, Julian, Leo, Philip, Vincent, Cardell, Carnell, Josephus, Marcanthony, Antonius, Darcell, Juluis, Orlanda, Rumaldo, Marcellino, Marcellis, Marcellous, Mardell, Macedonio, Marcelus, Orlandus
Names like Marcella
Names whose popularity has moved with Marcella's over the last 50 years.
