Mars Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: marz //mɑːrz//
Origin: Latin; Roman
Meaning: Latin: God of war; Roman: the planet Mars
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Mars has its roots in ancient Roman mythology, deriving from the Latin word "Mars," which referred to the Roman god of war. The etymology can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root *mārs, which is associated with the concept of war and battle.
This name was adopted into English through the Latin, as the Romans had a significant influence on the language and culture of early England, particularly following the Roman conquest in the 1st century AD. The name Mars was also linked to the agricultural aspects of the season of spring, as the god was associated with both war and fertility, reflecting the duality of destruction and renewal in nature.
Historically, Mars was a prominent figure in Roman religion and mythology, often depicted as a protector of the Roman state and a father of Romulus, the legendary founder of Rome, around the 8th century BC. His significance was further solidified through various literary works and historical texts, including those by Virgil and Ovid, who contributed to the cultural narrative surrounding the god.
The name Mars also appears in the context of the Roman calendar, as March (Martius) was named in his honor, marking the beginning of the military campaigning season. Culturally, the name Mars has resonated through various traditions and artistic representations, symbolizing strength, valor, and martial prowess.
The name has been adopted in various forms across different languages and cultures, reflecting its enduring legacy. In addition to its mythological roots, Mars has been associated with the planet named after the god, which has further cemented its place in both scientific and cultural discourse.
The diminutive form "Mar" has also been used in some cultures, although it is less common. Overall, the name Mars embodies a rich tapestry of historical and cultural significance, rooted in ancient traditions that continue to influence contemporary understanding.
Famous people named Mars
In this section, you will find notable people named Mars. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Mars who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Mars who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Mars is a planet best known for its red appearance, the presence of Olympus Mons, and the exploration by rovers such as Curiosity and Perseverance.
Fictional characters named Mars
The following list of fictional characters named Mars is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Mars is a fictional character from the manga and anime series Sailor Moon. They are the warrior of fire and passion, known for their strong will and fighting spirit.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Mars, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Mars. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Mars was first seen in the United States in 1923.
Mars has ranked as high as #1222 nationally, which occurred in 2023, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Georgia.
In the past 5 years the name Mars has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Mars is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Mars was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Mars (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 18 | |
| TX | 14 | |
| NY | 9 | |
| NC | 8 | |
| AZ | 7 | |
| FL | 5 | |
| GA | 5 | |
| PA | 5 | |
| VA | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Mars.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 124 |
| 2023 | 154 |
| 2022 | 113 |
| 2021 | 144 |
| 2020 | 98 |
| 2019 | 90 |
| 2018 | 77 |
| 2017 | 74 |
| 2016 | 56 |
| 2015 | 27 |
| 2014 | 34 |
| 2013 | 21 |
| 2012 | 27 |
| 2011 | 25 |
| 2010 | 14 |
| 2009 | 12 |
| 2008 | 7 |
| 2007 | 7 |
| 2006 | 13 |
| 2005 | 12 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2000 | 5 |
| 1996 | 6 |
| 1989 | 5 |
| 1980 | 7 |
| 1979 | 5 |
| 1972 | 7 |
| 1965 | 5 |
| 1943 | 5 |
| 1936 | 5 |
| 1928 | 6 |
| 1927 | 5 |
| 1923 | 7 |