Mariano
A boy's name of Spanish origin with 9,881 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
a male given name from Spanish
Mariano is a boy's baby name of Spanish origin, a Latin form honoring the Virgin Mary, from the Roman family name Marianus, meaning 'of Mary' or 'belonging to the sea,' derived from mare (sea).
Deeply rooted in Catholic naming tradition across Spain and Latin America, Mariano carries both Marian devotion and Roman elegance. Hall of Fame pitcher Mariano Rivera — the greatest closer in baseball history — gave the name an athletic legend's prestige, making it particularly resonant in Latino sports culture.
EtymologyShow more
Names travel. They cross oceans, change spelling, shift pronunciation, and accumulate new associations with each culture that adopts them. Mariano is rooted in the Spanish tradition, but its presence in American naming since 1896 means it has been shaped by English phonetics, local customs, and the cultural context of the families who chose it.
With 9,881 recorded U.S. births, Mariano has clearly resonated across communities. Names that reach this level of adoption typically carry a sound that works in multiple accents and cultural contexts — a kind of phonetic universality.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Mariano has 124+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1896.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 956 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 1,650 | — |
| 2000s | 1,686 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 1,220 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 833 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 752 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 526 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 483 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 370 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 423 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 568 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 348 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 49 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 17 | — |
The Story of Mariano
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2022, Mariano is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Mariano are most likely born between 2012 and 2024.
How rare is Mariano?
Only about 1 in every 19,780 babies born in 2024 was named Mariano — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1896, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2000s with 1,686 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Mariano by the numbers
- Would fill 206 school buses
- Meeting one Mariano per day would take 27.1 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(124 years, 1896–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 182 | #1151 |
| 2023 | 202 | #1071 |
| 2022 | 215 | #1030 |
| 2021 | 175 | #1150 |
| 2020 | 182 | #1092 |
| 2019 | 155 | #1228 |
| 2018 | 150 | #1237 |
| 2017 | 149 | #1233 |
| 2016 | 134 | #1336 |
| 2015 | 163 | #1156 |
| 2014 | 178 | #1086 |
| 2013 | 170 | #1092 |
| 2012 | 180 | #1057 |
| 2011 | 208 | #955 |
| 2010 | 163 | #1140 |
| 2009 | 158 | #1154 |
| 2008 | 167 | #1103 |
| 2007 | 214 | #929 |
| 2006 | 179 | #1027 |
| 2005 | 182 | #963 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mariano a boy's or girl's name?
When was Mariano most popular?
How popular is the name Mariano?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1896–2024