A 1920s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Marcelle since 1894
Babies named Marcelle per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1890s | 27 | 0 |
| 1900s | 117 | 0 |
| 1910s | 689 | 5 |
| 1920s | 1,175 | 17 |
| 1930s | 478 | 0 |
| 1940s | 439 | 0 |
| 1950s | 618 | 0 |
| 1960s | 675 | 40 |
| 1970s | 410 | 118 |
| 1980s | 279 | 95 |
| 1990s | 207 | 91 |
| 2000s | 122 | 69 |
| 2010s | 107 | 45 |
| 2020s | 71 | 27 |
Meaning & origin
Marcelle, the French feminine form of Marcel, carries the meaning 'little warrior' through its Latin lineage. The name saw its peak popularity in 1920, reflecting the early 20th-century fashion for French names in the United States. After declining for decades, Marcelle has been slowly rising again since 2014, currently ranking 6,546 nationally with about 1 in 94,545 girls receiving the name. While not a top-choice in any state, its revival suggests a renewed interest in vintage, elegant names. Marcelle offers a softer, feminine alternative to Marcel while retaining a classic European charm.
Marcelle is a French feminine form of Marcel, which itself comes from the Latin Marcellus, a diminutive of Marcus. Marcus is a Roman name likely derived from Mars, the god of war, thus Marcellus carries the meaning 'little warrior' or 'young warrior'. The name Marcelle emerged in France and gained popularity in the 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in French-speaking regions. It saw notable use in the United States during the 1910s and 1920s.
Where Marcelle 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.
“Marcelle” around the world
Where Marcelle 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: Marcy, Celle, Marcie
Sibling names for Marcelle
Names that share Marcelle's style, for a brother or sister.
