Mariano is a name of Spanish and Italian origin, meaning "dedicated to Mars," the Roman god of war. It is derived from the Latin word "marius," which was given to children born in March, as it was believed that those born during this month were under the protection of Mars.
The name Mariano has been popular throughout history, with several notable figures bearing this name. One of the most famous was Saint Marius or Marianus, a Christian martyr who lived during the 3rd century AD. He is revered as a saint in both the Catholic and Orthodox churches, and his feast day is celebrated on May 1st.
In Spain, Mariano also has royal connections, having been used by several members of the Spanish monarchy throughout history. The most notable was Mariano de Gálvez y Galindo, who served as the viceroy of New Spain (Mexico) during the late 18th century.
Despite its historical significance and popularity in some regions, Mariano remains a relatively uncommon name outside of Spain and Italy. However, it is still used today and continues to be associated with strength, courage, and dedication, reflecting its origins and meanings.
Here are some interesting statistics about the name Mariano in the United States:
The name Mariano was first recorded as being given to babies born in the U.S. in 1896, with a total of 5 births that year.
Over the next few years, the number of babies named Mariano remained relatively low, fluctuating between 5 and 13 births per year from 1897 to 1909.
However, the popularity of the name began to increase significantly in the early 1910s. In 1912, there were a total of 35 babies named Mariano, marking a significant jump from previous years.
This upward trend continued throughout the decade, with the highest number of Mariano births recorded in 1919 (53) and 1920 (56).
The popularity of the name began to decline slightly in the late 1920s and early 1930s, but it remained relatively stable throughout the mid-20th century, with between 24 and 57 births per year from 1941 to 1968.
In recent years, however, the name Mariano has seen a resurgence in popularity. After falling to an all-time low of just 37 births in 1962, the number of babies named Mariano has steadily increased over the past few decades.
Between 2000 and 2022, there were at least 156 births per year on average, with a peak of 215 births recorded in 2022. This marks a significant increase from previous years and indicates that Mariano is once again becoming a popular choice for parents in the United States.
Overall, since its debut in 1896, the name Mariano has been given to a total of 9697 babies born in the U.S., making it a classic yet timeless choice for parents looking to honor their child with a strong and memorable name.