Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Mario
BoyItalian, Latin· “uncertain (from Marius)”
- Meaning
- uncertain (from Marius) (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Italian, Latin
- Pronunciation
- MAH-ree-oh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #438
- US babies 2025
- 721
- Best rank
- #102 (1980)
- Peak year
- 1980
Meaning and origin of Mario
Mario is often said to mean “uncertain (from Marius)”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Italian and Latin roots.
Mario is the Italian form of the Roman family name Marius. Its origin is uncertain; it may come from the god Mars or from the Latin mas, meaning male. Gaius Marius was a Roman general and statesman. Mario has long been a staple in Italy and Spanish-speaking countries, and it gained worldwide recognition through the Nintendo video game character. Mario feels warm, friendly and classic, with a rolling sound. It works well across languages.
Popularity over time
Mario first appears in US Social Security records in 1897. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 124 different years, starting in 1897. Its best national rank was #102 in 1980, the same year it reached its highest count of 2,936 babies. In 2025, 721 babies were named Mario, and it ranked #438 nationally. That is 44% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #276 in 1920, #246 in 1950, #102 in 1980, #167 in 2000, #208 in 2010, and #438 in 2025. Of the 151,310 US boys named Mario since records began, 17% were born in the 1980s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 24,573 babies. Since 2010, 18,348 more have been named Mario.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Clinton, Derrick, Jaime, Clint, and Jarrod.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Mario ranked highest in Nevada, Texas, and Arizona.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada | #222 | 14 |
| Texas | #237 | 166 |
| Arizona | #261 | 31 |
| California | #266 | 139 |
| Illinois | #309 | 35 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Mario is usually pronounced MAH-ree-oh, with three syllables. It has five letters, starts with M and ends in “-io”.
Middle names for Mario
A few middle names that flow with Mario: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Mario
Similar names
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Lists that include Mario
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Mario mean?
Mario is often said to mean “uncertain (from Marius)”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Italian and Latin roots.
What is the origin of the name Mario?
Mario has Italian and Latin roots. Mario is the Italian form of the Roman family name Marius.
Is Mario a popular name?
Yes. Mario ranked #438 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Mario a boy or girl name?
Mario is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Mario?
Mario is usually pronounced MAH-ree-oh. 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