Rising since 2020, #5,917 for girls today.
Popularity of Maricella since 1949
Babies named Maricella per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1940s | 5 |
| 1950s | 34 |
| 1960s | 135 |
| 1970s | 267 |
| 1980s | 293 |
| 1990s | 392 |
| 2000s | 328 |
| 2010s | 184 |
| 2020s | 86 |
Meaning & origin
Maricella is a lyrical Spanish and Italian compound name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1949. Its peak popularity came in 1998, and after a period of decline, it has been rising again since 2020, ranking 5,917 in 2025, with about 1 in 80,363 newborn girls receiving the name. The name is most frequently found in Texas, which reflects its strong ties to Hispanic communities. Maricella combines the familiar Maria with the diminutive Cella, creating a melodic elaboration that fits alongside classic Spanish names like Araceli and Estrella. Its meaning draws from traditional Marian titles, though the exact derivation is open to the 'bitter' sense of its Hebrew root.
Maricella is a compound of Maria and Cella, or a variant of Maricela. Maria derives from the Hebrew name Miryam, of debated meaning (possibly 'bitter' or 'beloved'), while Cella is a short form of Marcella, the feminine of Marcellus (a Roman family name from Mars). The name has been used in Spanish- and Italian-speaking communities, often as a diminutive or lyrical elaboration. It gained modest popularity in the United States beginning in the mid-20th century.
Where Maricella is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mari, Cella, Maricel
Sibling names for Maricella
Names that share Maricella's style, for a brother or sister.
