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Home › Baby Names Directory › Marcelus

Marcelus

♂ Boy

Pronounced mar-SEL-us /mɑːrˈsɛl.əs/Medium

Meaning: Marcelus spells Marcellus, the Latin diminutive of Marcus — 'little Marcus' — and Marcus itself derives from Mars, the Roman god of war. Marcellus was a famous Roman general and, later, several saints and popes.Medium

In 30 seconds: Marcelus spells Marcellus — Latin for 'little Marcus', from Mars, the god of war (said 'mar-SEL-us').
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Origin MediumLatin
MeaningMarcelus spells Marcellus, the Latin diminutive of Marcus — 'little Marcus' — and Marcus itself derives from Mars, the Roman god of war. Marcellus was a famous Roman general and, later, several saints and popes.
U.S. rank (2024)#13453 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1996
Total births (all-time)≈ 307

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199619702024

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Marcelus is a single-l spelling of Marcellus, the Roman diminutive of Marcus, itself from Mars, god of war. The name belonged to a famous line of Roman generals, to Augustus's ill-fated nephew, and afterwards to saints and popes. Its modern spellings vary widely (said 'mar-SEL-us').

It is very rare in the U.S., behind Marcellus and Marcel. Rare, Roman, and stately.

Did you know? Marcellus was Rome's 'sword' against Hannibal, and the young nephew of Augustus whose early death Virgil mourned. The name means 'little Marcus' — a son of Mars.
Overall data confidence 44%
References — Marcelus — Spelling of Marcellus < Marcus < Mars

Variations

MarcellusMarceloMarcel

Nicknames

MarcCel

Famous Bearers

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If you like Marcelus…

Marcellus— the standard spelling behind it
Marcus— the parent name it shrinks
Marcel— the French cut of the same name
Julius— a like Roman -us classic

Explore names like Marcelus

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Marcelus mean?

Marcelus spells Marcellus, Latin for 'little Marcus' — and Marcus itself comes from Mars, the Roman god of war.

How do you pronounce Marcelus?

It's said mar-SEL-us /mɑːrˈsɛl.əs/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Marcelus a boy or girl name?

Marcelus is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Marcelus?

Marcelus is a very rare name for boys in the U.S.

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