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Marius

♂ Boy

Pronounced MAIR-ee-us /ˈmɛər.i.əs/High

Meaning: Of Mars; male; warrior; from Latin Marius (of the god Mars, or from mas/maris: male, man)High

In 30 seconds: A Latin name meaning 'of Mars' (the war god) or 'male,' borne by Gaius Marius — the Roman general who reformed the Roman army and served as consul seven times. Made romantic through the hero Marius Pontmercy in Les Misérables.

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Origin HighLatin

MeaningOf Mars; male; warrior; from Latin Marius (of the god Mars, or from mas/maris: male, man)

U.S. rank (2025)#2555 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births52 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2004

Total births (all-time)≈ 2,654

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Marius is a Roman family name, possibly from Mars (the god of war) or from Latin mas/maris (male, man). Gaius Marius (157–86 BCE) was one of Rome's greatest generals who reformed the Roman army. The name has been used continuously in European communities.

Marius ranked #2428 for boys in 2024. It is used in Scandinavian, French, German, and broader communities drawn to this classical Roman name.

Did you know? Marius Pontmercy in Victor Hugo's Les Misérables (1862) is the young idealist who fights at the barricades for his beliefs and wins Cosette's heart. The musical adaptation's 'Empty Chairs at Empty Tables' — Marius's lament for his fallen comrades — is one of musical theater's most devastating songs.

Overall data confidence 88%

Behind the Name — Marius — Latin etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

MarioMarian

Nicknames

Mar

Famous Bearers

★Gaius Marius (157–86 BCE)
Roman general and statesman who served as consul seven times (a record) and reformed the Roman army into a professional fighting force.

If you like Marius…

Mario— the Italian short form of the same Roman root

Cassius— Roman name with the same classical Latin dignity

Marcus— Roman name (of Mars) sharing the same Mars etymology

Lucius— Roman name with the same three-syllable classical feel

Julius— Roman imperial name with the same classical Latin authority

Explore names like Marius

By themelatin three-syllable roman warrior mars

By meaningGod / Divine Warrior

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Marius mean?

Marius means 'of Mars' (the Roman god of war) or 'male,' from Latin Marius.

How do you pronounce Marius?

It's said MAIR-ee-us /ˈmɛər.i.əs/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Marius a boy or girl name?

Marius is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Marius?

Marius ranked #2428 for U.S. boys in 2024.