Mario in Chinese
Mario in Chinese is 马里奥 (Mǎ Lǐ Ào).
- Origin
- Italian/Latin
- Meaning
- manly; of Mars
The name traces back to Italian/Latin sources, where it is usually explained as "manly; of Mars". It first shows up in US Social Security records in 1897 and peaked in 1980.
3 ways to write Mario
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
马里奥
Mǎ Lǐ Ào
The standard transliteration of Mario: 马 (mǎ, "horse"), 里 (lǐ, "village; mile (phonetic 'ri/li')"), 奥 (ào, "profound, mysterious"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
To fit Mandarin syllable rules, the sounds are broken into 3 characters: 马 mǎ + 里 lǐ + 奥 ào. The tone contour is 3-3-4 (dipping, dipping, falling).
Character breakdown
22 strokes total (simplified)- 马
mǎ
Tone 3 · 3 strokes (simplified)
horse
- 里
lǐ
Tone 3 · 7 strokes (simplified)
village; mile (phonetic 'ri/li')
- 奥
ào
Tone 4 · 12 strokes (simplified)
profound, mysterious
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
毅峰
Yì Fēng
Inspired by "manly; of Mars": 毅 (yì, "resolute, persevering") + 峰 (fēng, "summit, peak"), expressing strength and courage.
Why these characters?
The idea of "manly" behind Mario is rendered by 毅, "resolute, persevering"; 峰, "summit, peak", completes it.
Character breakdown
25 strokes total (simplified)- 毅
yì
Tone 4 · 15 strokes (simplified)
resolute, persevering
- 峰
fēng
Tone 1 · 10 strokes (simplified)
summit, peak
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
马勇
Mǎ Yǒng
马 (mǎ, "horse") + 勇 (yǒng, "brave, courageous"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
It keeps 马 (mǎ), the same opening character as the transliteration 马里奥, for the "ma" sound, and replaces the rest with 勇 ("brave, courageous") so the whole reads as a real given name.
Character breakdown
12 strokes total (simplified)- 马
mǎ
Tone 3 · 3 strokes (simplified)
horse
- 勇
yǒng
Tone 3 · 9 strokes (simplified)
brave, courageous
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 144,018 boys named Mario since 1897, with the high point in 1980 (2,935 births) and the busiest decade being the 1980s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #119 to #307 among boys.
- Peak year
- 1980
- Peak decade
- 1980s
- First year
- 1897
- Total since 1880
- 144,018
More About Mario in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Mario offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Mario, you'll find options that work for you.
If you're exploring Chinese names for boys, you might also be interested in Tanner in Chinese, Francisco in Chinese, and Grant in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Mitchell in Chinese, Ivan in Chinese, and Eduardo in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Mario, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Mario to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
How is Mario translated into Chinese?
马里奥 (Mǎ Lǐ Ào), or 馬里奧 in traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
Is there a Chinese name for Mario with real meaning?
Try 毅峰 (Yì Fēng): resolute, persevering + summit, peak, inspired by "manly; of Mars". For something that still sounds like Mario, 马勇 (Mǎ Yǒng) is a middle ground.
Is Mario written differently in traditional Chinese?
Yes: 马里奥 becomes 馬里奧; the changed characters are 马→馬, 奥→奧. Use traditional for Taiwan or Hong Kong audiences.