Find out how popular the first name Marcella has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Marcella by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Marcella is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 100% of people named Marcella being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 226 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Marcella.

The history of the first name Marcella

Marcella is a feminine given name with Latin origins, derived from the Roman family name Marcellus. The name Marcellus is believed to have its roots in the Latin word "marculus," meaning "little male" or "young warrior."

The name Marcella can be traced back to ancient Rome, where it was used as a feminine form of Marcellus. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Marcella is Saint Marcella, a wealthy Roman widow who lived in the 4th century AD. She is celebrated as a prominent figure in early Christian history for her piety and charitable works.

In ancient Roman literature, the name Marcella appears in the works of Ovid and Pliny the Younger. Ovid's "Metamorphoses" mentions a character named Marcellus, while Pliny the Younger wrote letters addressed to a woman named Marcella.

During the Middle Ages, the name Marcella gained popularity in Catholic regions, particularly in Italy and Spain. One notable figure from this period is Marcella of Siena (1273-1328), an Italian Dominican tertiary who was known for her mystical visions and devotion to Christ.

In the Renaissance era, the name Marcella was associated with the Italian humanist scholar Marcella Fedele (1476-1558), who was renowned for her proficiency in Latin and Greek literature. She was one of the first women to deliver public lectures on Aristotle's philosophy.

Another notable Marcella in history was Marcella Sembrich (1858-1935), a Polish operatic soprano who achieved international fame for her performances in operas by composers such as Verdi, Puccini, and Donizetti.

Marcella Hazan (1924-2013) was an Italian-born cooking writer and teacher who popularized authentic Italian cuisine in the United States through her cookbooks and cooking classes.

Marcella Althaus-Reid (1952-2009) was a feminist theologian and academic from Argentina who challenged traditional Christian teachings on sexuality and gender.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Marcella was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Marcella, please contact us.

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