Marci
Primarily a girl's name of Latin origin with 13,998 recorded births. Also given to 11 boys.
Meaning & Origin
A female given name.
Marci is a girl's and boy's baby name of Latin origin, a short form of Marcia — the feminine form of the Roman Marcius, derived from Mars, the Roman god of war, meaning 'of Mars' or 'warlike.' The -i ending gives it a casual, friendly energy.
Marci was particularly popular in the United States during the 1950s through 1970s, when short feminine names ending in -i (Terri, Cindi, Patti) were fashionable. It carries a retro, vivacious charm that is beginning to feel fresh again as parents rediscover mid-century names.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Marci is a girl's name with over a century of recorded use (1938–2024). Its Latin roots connect it to a broader naming tradition, but in practice, American usage often reshapes names — adding nicknames, shifting pronunciation, and building new associations that diverge from the original cultural context.
Today, Marci is an active part of the American naming landscape (ranked #4829), continuing to accumulate its own cultural meaning with each new child who carries it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Marci climbed 1576 spots in the last 20 years — from #6405 to #4829.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 125 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 226 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 202 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 615 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 2,482 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 4,917 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 3,834 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 1,440 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 146 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 11 | — |
The Story of Marci
A Gen X name
Peaking in 1971, Marci is a Gen X staple. Girls named Marci are most likely born between 1961 and 1981.
How rare is Marci?
Only about 1 in every 128,571 babies born in 2024 was named Marci — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1938, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1970s with 4,917 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Marci by the numbers
- Would fill 292 school buses
- Meeting one Marci per day would take 38.4 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(85 years, 1938–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 28 | #4829 |
| 2023 | 33 | #4325 |
| 2022 | 24 | #5417 |
| 2021 | 19 | #6315 |
| 2020 | 21 | #5776 |
| 2019 | 29 | #4733 |
| 2018 | 22 | #5721 |
| 2017 | 25 | #5279 |
| 2016 | 20 | #6326 |
| 2015 | 19 | #6628 |
| 2014 | 20 | #6351 |
| 2013 | 26 | #5248 |
| 2012 | 28 | #5064 |
| 2011 | 22 | #6068 |
| 2010 | 15 | #8153 |
| 2009 | 21 | #6464 |
| 2008 | 15 | #8389 |
| 2007 | 26 | #5470 |
| 2006 | 18 | #7045 |
| 2005 | 16 | #7368 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Marci as a Boy's Name
While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Marci has also been given to 11 boys in the U.S. since 1971.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Marci a boy's or girl's name?
When was Marci most popular?
How popular is the name Marci?
Can Marci be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1938–2024