Mario

boyLatinChristian

Mario is a Christian boy name of Latin, via Italian and Spanish origin, meaning “From the Roman Marius family”.

MeaningFrom the Roman Marius family
GenderBoy
OriginLatin, via Italian and Spanish
PronunciationMAH-ryoh
TraditionChristian, Modern & Classic
Used inItaly, Spain, Mexico, Peru

Meaning and origin of Mario

Mario comes from the Roman family name Marius, carried by the general Gaius Marius. Its meaning is uncertain: it is often linked with Mars, the god of war, which gives the old 'warlike' gloss, or with Latin 'mas, maris', male; neither link is proven. In Italy and Spain the name is also felt to be a masculine counterpart of María. Famous bearers include Peruvian novelist Mario Vargas Llosa and racing driver Mario Andretti.

Is Mario a Christian name?

Mario is not a biblical name, but its association with María has kept it popular among Catholic families, and Saint Marius is an early martyr honoured in Rome.

How popular is Mario?

Common across Italy, Spain and Latin America.

Gifts with the name Mario

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Spellings and variants of Mario

MariusMarionMarios

Names similar to Mario

More Christian boy names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Mario mean?

Mario means 'From the Roman Marius family'. It is of Latin, via Italian and Spanish origin.

Is Mario a Christian name?

Mario is not a biblical name, but its association with María has kept it popular among Catholic families, and Saint Marius is an early martyr honoured in Rome.

How do you pronounce Mario?

Mario is pronounced MAH-ryoh.

Is Mario a boy or girl name?

Mario is usually a boy name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.