Marcellus
Boy name · #1054 in 2025 · Uniqueness 75/100
Marcellus is currently the #1054 boy name in the United States — 208 babies received it in 2025. A decade ago it stood at #1239, so the name has been rising over the past ten years. Roughly one in every 8,654 boys born in 2025 was named Marcellus.
Babies named Marcellus per year, 1880–2025. Source: SSA.
The 145-year story
Marcellus first appears in the Social Security records in 1880, when 11 boys received the name. Its peak came in 2021, when 351 boys were named Marcellus — good for #732 that year. Today's parents encounter it on its way down the popularity curve, which for many parents is exactly the appeal. Following the curve matters more than today's snapshot: a name's position on its rise-peak-decline arc is the best predictor of how common it will feel in a kindergarten class five years from now.
Unlock the 5-year forecast and compare Marcellus against up to 5 other names.
Uniqueness: will there be another Marcellus in class?
Marcellus scores 75 out of 100 on our uniqueness scale, which blends current rarity with five-year momentum — putting it in the "rare" band. A high score means genuine rarity — your Marcellus will likely be the only one in the room, with the occasional spelling-out as the price.
Where Marcellus is most common
Geography matters for names, and Marcellus is no exception. In 2025 the states with the most Marcelluss were TX (22), FL (14), NC (12), OH (12), VA (12). Raw counts naturally favor populous states, but the spread still hints at where the name is part of the local naming culture.
Names like Marcellus
Statistically, parents drawn to Marcellus tend to be choosing among names with similar popularity arcs, era profiles, and sounds — the closest matches in our model are Theophilus, Lazarus, Magnus, Leviticus, and Mordechai.
TheophilusLazarusMagnusLeviticusMordechaiMontgomeryMattiasThaddeus
Rank history (last 25 years)
| Year | Babies named Marcellus | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 208 | #1054 |
| 2024 | 241 | #950 |
| 2023 | 271 | #868 |
| 2022 | 332 | #760 |
| 2021 | 351 | #732 |
| 2020 | 329 | #741 |
| 2019 | 234 | #930 |
| 2018 | 218 | #952 |
| 2017 | 181 | #1081 |
| 2016 | 154 | #1219 |
| 2015 | 147 | #1239 |
| 2014 | 126 | #1355 |
| 2013 | 80 | #1794 |
| 2012 | 85 | #1756 |
| 2011 | 87 | #1703 |
| 2010 | 91 | #1687 |
| 2009 | 99 | #1604 |
| 2008 | 106 | #1523 |
| 2007 | 92 | #1658 |
| 2006 | 96 | #1543 |
| 2005 | 106 | #1402 |
| 2004 | 93 | #1467 |
| 2003 | 114 | #1262 |
| 2002 | 98 | #1346 |
| 2001 | 117 | #1171 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Marcellus a popular boy name?
Marcellus ranked #1054 among boys in 2025 with 208 babies given the name — outside the top 500, making it an uncommon pick. Ten years earlier it ranked #1239.
When was the name Marcellus most popular?
Marcellus peaked in 2021, when 351 American boys received the name (ranked #732 that year). Since 2021 the name has declined from that high.
How rare is the name Marcellus?
In 2025, roughly 1 in 8,654 newborn American boys was named Marcellus. It scores 75/100 on our uniqueness scale (rarity blended with momentum), which we classify as "rare".
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration name statistics, 1880–2025, national and state files. Counts reflect Social Security card applications; names with fewer than 5 occurrences in a state-year are suppressed by the SSA.