Marcel
Say it: mar-SEL/mɑːˈsɛl/
BoyMeans little Marcus, a name linked to Mars6 letters2 syllables
#372
in Ireland (2025)
#360 with spellings combined
10
babies in 2025
#148
best rank (2014)
507
babies since 2005
Down 125
10-year rank change
Marcel through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (boys) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 10 | #360 |
| 2024 | 5 | #559 |
| 2023 | 10 | #351 |
| 2022 | 9 | #393 |
| 2021 | 12 | #328 |
| 2020 | 21 | #224 |
| 2019 | 22 | #224 |
| 2018 | 29 | #195 |
| 2017 | 39 | #153 |
| 2016 | 28 | #201 |
| 2015 | 23 | #235 |
| 2014 | 44 | #148 |
| 2013 | 40 | #161 |
| 2012 | 35 | #182 |
| 2011 | 45 | #157 |
| 2010 | 48 | #150 |
| 2009 | 32 | #177 |
| 2008 | 33 | #186 |
| 2007 | 14 | #271 |
| 2006 | 4 | #492 |
| 2005 | 4 | #448 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Marcel mean?
Little Marcus, a name linked to Mars
French, from Latin Marcellus, a small form of Marcus.
Say it right
marSEL
The story of Marcel
Marcel comes from the Latin Marcellus, a small form of Marcus. Marcus is usually linked to Mars, the Roman god of war. English speakers borrowed Marcel from French, but it is also used across Europe, from Germany and Belgium to Hungary, Romania and Poland. The feminine form is Marcelle.
Its best-known bearers include the French novelist Marcel Proust and the French mime artist Marcel Marceau.
Marcel first reached the Irish list in 2005, around the time many Polish families settled in Ireland, and it is a familiar name in Poland. It grew quickly, and its biggest year was 2010, with 48 boys. Its best rank came a little later, number 148 in 2014. It has eased off since, with 10 boys in 2025. In Northern Ireland it is rarer, with a best rank of number 234 in 2018.
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Sources
- Wiktionary: Marcel (English proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Marcel (given name)
- CSO VSA50, Boys Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
- NISRA, First Forenames Given to Babies Registered in Northern Ireland
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Marcel | 10 | 507 |
In Northern Ireland
Not in the 2025 list. Best rank #234 (2018); 77 babies since 2007.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.