Mário

Mário is a masculine given name widely used in Portuguese-speaking countries, especially Portugal and Brazil, as well as in Portuguese communities abroad. It is the Portuguese form of Mario, derived from the Latin name Marius, which is associated with the ancient Roman gens and possibly linked to the god Mars. The name is common across generations and appears in various cultural and professional contexts.

In contemporary usage, Mário is a standard given name in Lusophone cultures and can be found across arts, politics, sports, and academia. The accent on the i helps indicate the standard Portuguese stress pattern for the name. Variants and related forms exist in other languages, reflecting the name’s Latin roots.

Notable people named Mário include Mário de Andrade (1893–1945), a leading figure of Brazilian Modernism and poet; Mário Quintana (1906–1994), Brazilian poet; Mário Soares (1924–2017), Portuguese politician who served as president and prime minister; and Mário Zagallo, Brazilian football player and coach who contributed to Brazil’s World Cup success. The name also appears among numerous public figures, athletes, and professionals worldwide, reflecting its enduring popularity in Portuguese-speaking societies.