Declining since 1985, #4,758 for girls today.
Popularity of Marci since 1938
Babies named Marci per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1930s | 11 |
| 1940s | 146 |
| 1950s | 1,440 |
| 1960s | 3,834 |
| 1970s | 4,916 |
| 1980s | 2,482 |
| 1990s | 615 |
| 2000s | 202 |
| 2010s | 226 |
| 2020s | 154 |
Meaning & origin
Marci has been in use since at least 1938, when it first appeared in U.S. naming records. Its peak popularity came in 1971, though it never broke into the top ranks. Since 1985, its usage has been steadily declining, reflecting the broader trend of shorter, nickname-style girls' names falling out of favor. Despite its drop in frequency, Marci remains a recognizable and straightforward name, often seen as a casual alternative to Marcia or Marcy. The name's trajectory aligns with many -i ending diminutives that were fashionable mid-century but have since become uncommon for new babies.
Marci likely started as a diminutive or variant of Marcia or Marcella. Marcia is the feminine form of the Roman name Marcius, derived from Mars, the Roman god of war. The name came into occasional use in the English-speaking world in the 20th century, often as a short form of longer names or as an independent given name.
Where Marci 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
Sibling names for Marci
Names that share Marci's style, for a brother or sister.
