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Marcellus Boy

Popularity: #686 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Origin(s)

Pronunciationmar-SELL-us / mɑːrˈsɛləs

Latin; Italian

Meaning

Latin: little warrior; Italian: young warrior

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Marcellus has its roots in ancient Rome, deriving from the Latin name "Marcellus," which is a diminutive form of "Marcus," meaning "little warrior" or "young warrior." The name Marcus itself is believed to be derived from the Roman god of war, Mars, reflecting a martial connotation. The transition of Marcellus into English occurred through the influence of Latin during the Roman Empire and later through ecclesiastical Latin as Christianity spread across Europe, particularly during the Middle Ages.

Historically, Marcellus has been borne by several notable figures, including Marcellus of Ancona, a 3rd-century saint who was martyred for his faith. His feast day is celebrated on January 16, and he is recognized in the Roman Catholic Church. Additionally, Marcellus was the name of a Roman consul in the 1st century BCE, and it appears in various historical texts, including those by Pliny the Elder and Cicero. The name also appears in the New Testament, where Marcellus is sometimes associated with early Christian communities.

Culturally, Marcellus has been associated with strength and valor, resonating with the martial roots of its etymology. The name has been used in various literary and artistic contexts, including in Shakespeare's "Hamlet," where a character named Marcellus plays a significant role. The enduring nature of the name can be attributed to its historical significance and the positive qualities it embodies, such as bravery and leadership. The diminutive form "Marcy" has also been used in various contexts, though it is less common historically.

Trend Summary

Marcellus has seen fluctuating popularity in the United States, with occasional peaks in usage.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Marcel
  • Marcello

International Variants

  • Marcelo (Spanish)
  • Marc (French)
  • Marcell (Hungarian)

Famous people named Marcellus

Marcellus Shale is a geological formation best known for natural gas extraction and energy production.

Marcellus Wiley is a former American football player best known for playing with the Buffalo Bills, San Diego Chargers, and Dallas Cowboys.

Fictional characters named Marcellus

Marcellus Wallace is a fictional character from the film Pulp Fiction. He is a powerful mob boss whose briefcase and violent reputation drive much of the film's plot.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Marcellus was first seen in the United States in 1880. Marcellus has ranked as high as #1015 nationally, which occurred in 2021, and has been most popular in California, Illinois, Texas, New York, and Virginia. In the past 5 years the name Marcellus has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Marcellus (2024)

StateBirthsShare
TX 38
22%
NY 17
10%
CA 16
9%
FL 15
9%
PA 11
6%
GA 10
6%
OH 9
5%
AZ 8
5%
NC 7
4%
IN 6
3%
MD 6
3%
MI 6
3%
TN 5
3%
MA 5
3%
VA 5
3%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
188011
18818
18826
18835
188411
188511
18869
18879
18889
188912
18907
18917
18927
18939
189410
18968
18979
18999
190011
19019
190216
190314
190414
190614
19077
190812
190911
191017
191115
191224
191329
191442
191555
191669
191753
191856
191950
192066
192153
192260
192359
192457
192545
192645
192750
192843
192945
193049
193150
193234
193324
193439
193532
193633
193737
193834
193927
194025
194127
194237
194326
194425
194526
194640
194739
194835
194946
195021
195137
195249
195341
195465
195552
195643
195740
195835
195931
196050
196145
196250
196339
196468
196559
196660
196771
196884
196986
197098
1971121
197296
197378
197473
197593
197659
197767
197865
197968
198047
198164
198237
198354
198484
198565
198670
198793
198877
198983
1990107
1991104
1992104
1993117
1994110
199597
1996101
1997110
199891
199991
2000114
2001117
200298
2003114
200493
2005106
200696
200792
2008106
200999
201091
201187
201285
201380
2014126
2015147
2016154
2017181
2018217
2019234
2020328
2021351
2022332
2023271
2024240