How to say it
MAR · co
ˈmɑːr.koʊ
Masculine
Marco
Of Mars, warlike
What it means
The Italian form of Mark and Marcus, from Mars, the Roman god of war.
Marco is the Italian form of Mark and Marcus, tracing back to Mars, the god of war. Its most famous bearer is Marco Polo, the Venetian merchant whose travels opened Europe's eyes to Asia, and whose name still echoes in the pool game. It is a cornerstone name across Italy and Latin America and a cousin of Mark, Marcus, and Marcos. Crisp and warm.
How to spell Marco
The standard spelling is Marco. Common variants include Marcos, Marc, Marko, but Marco is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #174 in 1996, currently #370 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed June 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Pop culture
Marco Polo, the Venetian traveler, is the headline bearer.
- Spelling
The Italian form of Mark; Marcos is the Spanish, Marcus the Latin.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Marco Polo 13th-century Venetian merchant and traveler to Asia
Spelling variants
- Marcos
- Marc
- Marko
Names with the same feeling
See Marco from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Marco mean?
- The Italian form of Mark and Marcus, from Mars, the Roman god of war.
- How do you pronounce Marco?
- Marco is pronounced ˈmɑːr.koʊ. Say it as MAR-co, with the stress on the "mar" syllable.
- How do you spell Marco?
- The standard spelling is Marco. Common spelling variants include Marcos, Marc, Marko.
- Is Marco a boy or girl name?
- Marco is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Marco?
- Marco ranked #370 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.