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Mario

Boy name · 90 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Mario: 90 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 6 births in 1975.

It’s best known globally as the name of Nintendo’s heroic plumber, but Mario is the Italian and Spanish form of the ancient Roman name Marius, thought to derive from Mars, the god of war, or from the Latin *mas* meaning “male.” Real-world bearers include Formula One legend Mario Andretti, whose name roared across racetracks worldwide, and author Mario Puzo, who created *The Godfather*. The name has no major place connections in Scotland, but its popularity here has been steadily boosted by video-game culture since the 1980s. A common Scottish variant is the Gaelic-tinged Màiri, though that is a feminine form; for boys, the similarly cheerful Marley shares a rhythmic feel without the same Roman roots.