Girl · 184th of 9,107
Marcella
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
65,559
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1922
Peak Popularity Year
1,542
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Marcella stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Marcella originates from Latin, meaning 'warlike', and evolved from the names Marcus and Marcellus. It is associated with traits of strength and resilience, and has biblical relevance through Saint Marcella of Rome. The name has seen periods of popularity, particularly in the early Christian era, and is perceived today as classic and elegant.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/mɑːrˈsɛl.ə/
Origin
Latin
Etymology
Marcella is derived from the Latin name 'Marcellus', which is a diminutive of 'Marcus', meaning 'warlike' or 'of Mars'.
Meaning
Warlike
Language Evolution
Marcus, Marcellus, Marcella
Historical Usage
Marcella gained popularity in the early Christian era, particularly due to Saint Marcella of Rome, who was known for her piety and charitable works.
Variants & Derivatives
Marcy, Marcel, Marcelle
Modern Popularity & Image
In contemporary times, Marcella is often viewed as a classic and elegant name, though it is less common than in previous centuries.
Famous People
Marcella Hazan, renowned chef and cookbook author, Marcella Althaus-Reid, theologian and feminist scholar
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 1,542 peak births in 1922
Geographic Spread
Popular across 49 US states, with strongest presence in New Mexico
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 3 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 12 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 3562nd of 7545 | 83 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 3764th of 6773 | 68 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 5014th of 7552 | 33 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 7011th of 10718 | 27 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 13786th of 16616 | 11 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 184th of 9107 | 20,885 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 238th of 9204 | 14,105 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 346th of 12526 | 12,627 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 471st of 19264 | 6,935 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 762nd of 27321 | 4,041 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 1181st of 35406 | 3,124 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 1152nd of 30306 | 2,567 |