Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Marcel
BoyFrench, Latin· “little Marcus; linked to Mars”
- Meaning
- little Marcus; linked to Mars
- Origin
- French, Latin
- Pronunciation
- mahr-SEHL
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #731
- US babies 2025
- 364
- Best rank
- #500 (1925)
- Peak year
- 2022
Meaning and origin of Marcel
Marcel is a French and Latin name that is usually said to mean “little Marcus; linked to Mars”.
Marcel is the French form of the Latin Marcellus, a diminutive of Marcus. Marcus is usually linked with Mars, the Roman god of war, although the connection is not certain. Several saints and early popes were named Marcellus, which kept the name in use across Catholic Europe. Marcel is known through novelist Marcel Proust, mime artist Marcel Marceau and artist Marcel Duchamp, which gives it a strong artistic and intellectual image. In English-speaking countries it feels suave and European. Marcello and Marcelo are the Italian and Spanish forms.
Other spellings with the same sound: Marcelle.
Popularity over time
Marcel first appears in US Social Security records in 1881. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 122 different years, starting in 1881. Its best national rank was #500 in 1925, and the most babies received it in 2022, when 417 were named Marcel. In 2025, 364 babies were named Marcel, and it ranked #731 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #613 in 1920, #733 in 1950, #658 in 1980, #748 in 2000, #838 in 2010, and #731 in 2025. Of the 20,131 US boys named Marcel since records began, 14% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 2,793 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Flynn, Jaxxon, Waylen, Ambrose, and Rayden.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Marcel ranked highest in Arizona, Connecticut, and Louisiana.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | #421 | 18 |
| Connecticut | #425 | 7 |
| Louisiana | #572 | 8 |
| New York | #578 | 27 |
| Pennsylvania | #596 | 16 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Marcel is usually pronounced mahr-SEHL, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with M and ends in “-el”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Marcelle.
Middle names for Marcel
A few middle names that flow with Marcel: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Marcel
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Lists that include Marcel
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Marcel mean?
Marcel is a French and Latin name that is usually said to mean “little Marcus; linked to Mars”.
What is the origin of the name Marcel?
Marcel has French and Latin roots. Marcel is the French form of the Latin Marcellus, a diminutive of Marcus.
Is Marcel a popular name?
Yes. Marcel ranked #731 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Marcel a boy or girl name?
Marcel is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Marcel?
Marcel is usually pronounced mahr-SEHL. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings