Declining since 1988, #438 for boys today.
Popularity of Mario since 1897
Babies named Mario per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 7 |
| 1900s | 144 |
| 1910s | 2,506 |
| 1920s | 4,779 |
| 1930s | 3,214 |
| 1940s | 3,994 |
| 1950s | 10,479 |
| 1960s | 13,491 |
| 1970s | 20,949 |
| 1980s | 26,396 |
| 1990s | 24,573 |
| 2000s | 22,430 |
| 2010s | 13,188 |
| 2020s | 5,160 |
Meaning & origin
Mario saw its peak popularity in 1980, when it ranked as a top-tier choice among American parents, particularly in states like Nevada, Texas, and Arizona. Since 1988, however, the name has been on a gradual decline, falling to 438th place in 2025. Despite this, Mario remains a familiar and sturdy classic, largely due to the enduring fame of the video game character introduced in the early 1980s. Its roots in Latin and Italian culture give it a traditional appeal that has kept it in consistent, if moderate, use for over a century, with first recorded usage in the United States dating back to 1897.
Mario is the Italian form of the Roman family name Marius, which is derived from Mars, the Roman god of war. The name has been used widely in Italy since the Middle Ages and was popularized internationally through various cultural figures, including the plumber Mario from the Nintendo video game franchise, which debuted in 1981. In the United States, Mario saw a surge in popularity starting in the 1960s, coinciding with increased Italian-American cultural visibility.
Where Mario 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.
“Mario” around the world
Where Mario lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
45
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mari, Rio
Variants: Marius, Mário
Sibling names for Mario
Names that share Mario's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Luisa, Sofia, Giulia, Isabella, Carla, Belia, Briseyda, Larita, Marena, Marivel, Markita, Marleny, Nelida, Renetta, Rosio, Chanita, Delmy, Dinora, Jaritza, Marinna, Mirta, Norita, Anayely, Demarie, Dilcia, Fina, Janitza, Margia, Maricel, Marletta, Marlita, Meshia, Monita, Sonita, Aldina, Amariona, Charina, Corita, Jaimarie, Mercadez, Onda, Yarithza
Brothers: Luigi, Antonio, Francesco, Giovanni, Paolo, Jorge, Gino, Orlando, Rigo, Albino, Horacio, Nery, Eleno, Lamario, Romario, Ganon, Sisto, Cleto, Alverto, Amario, Jaymari, Keimari, Larico, Mareo, Mareon, Victormanuel
Names like Mario
Names whose popularity has moved with Mario's over the last 50 years.
