Mars
Primarily a boy's name of Latin origin with 1,213 recorded births. Also given to 175 girls.
Meaning & Origin
The fourth planet in the solar system. Symbol: ♂
Mars is a boy's and girl's baby name of Latin origin, the Roman god of war — among the most important deities in the Roman pantheon — and the name given to the fourth planet in our solar system. Mars derives from the Latin Mavors, possibly meaning 'to gleam' or of Etruscan origin.
Mars has a bold, planetary cool that makes it feel both ancient and completely futuristic. As space exploration enters a new age, naming a child after the planet we're heading toward carries genuine 21st-century ambition. A name for dreamers who think in solar systems.
EtymologyShow more
Mars is cataloged under the Latin naming tradition. Latin-origin names have been a backbone of Western naming for centuries, carried forward through the Roman Empire, the Catholic Church, and the Romance languages.
In the U.S., Mars has been recorded as a boy's name since 1923, with 1,213 total births. Browse the Latin names hub on this site to explore the broader family.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Mars climbed 11084 spots in the last 20 years — from #12541 to #1457.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 633 | ▲ |
| 2010s | 445 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 72 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 6 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 12 | — |
| 1970s | 12 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 5 | — |
| 1940s | 5 | — |
| 1930s | 5 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 18 | — |
The Story of Mars
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2023, Mars is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Mars are most likely born between 2013 and 2024.
How rare is Mars?
Only about 1 in every 29,032 babies born in 2024 was named Mars — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1923, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2020s with 633 births that decade.
Mars by the numbers
- Would fill 25 school buses
- Meeting one Mars per day would take 3.3 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(35 years, 1923–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 124 | #1457 |
| 2023 | 154 | #1255 |
| 2022 | 113 | #1566 |
| 2021 | 144 | #1305 |
| 2020 | 98 | #1643 |
| 2019 | 90 | #1750 |
| 2018 | 77 | #1931 |
| 2017 | 74 | #1951 |
| 2016 | 56 | #2356 |
| 2015 | 27 | #3950 |
| 2014 | 34 | #3280 |
| 2013 | 21 | #4562 |
| 2012 | 27 | #3853 |
| 2011 | 25 | #4063 |
| 2010 | 14 | #6255 |
| 2009 | 12 | #7089 |
| 2008 | 7 | #10625 |
| 2007 | 7 | #10492 |
| 2006 | 13 | #6338 |
| 2005 | 12 | #6478 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Mars as a Girl's Name
Though more common for boys, Mars has a notable history as a girl's name too, with 175 births since 2016.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mars a boy's or girl's name?
When was Mars most popular?
How popular is the name Mars?
Can Mars be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1923–2024