Given name & surname
Marcelle
“the little warrior”·“dedicated to Mars, the god of war”
In French use, Marcelle is a feminine form of Marcel. One French interpretation is “the little warrior.” In English use, Marcelle has a related form in Marcella. In Latin use, Marcella carries the interpretation “dedicated to Mars, the god of war.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
In French use, Marcelle is a feminine form of Marcel. One French interpretation is “the little warrior.” In English use, Marcelle has a related form in Marcella. In Latin use, Marcella carries the interpretation “dedicated to Mars, the god of war.”
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
In French use, Marcelle is a feminine form of Marcel. An origin associated with Marcel is Latin.
Explained through its name family
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1894. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin. In French use, Marcelle is a feminine form of Marcel. The history of Marcel gives this family its wider story. Marcel’s historical associations include a 3rd-century missionary to Gaul, martyred at Bourges with his companion Anastasius.
Combines direct and name-family evidence
Marcelle through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 5,921
- 507 boys · 5,414 girls
- Most popular year
- 1920
- 183 babies
- 2025
- 22
- #6,729 for girls · #13,213 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −14%
- Easing
Boys, girls and both
The balance of boys and girls given this name has shifted over time. Recent births are 26% boys.
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 17 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 6,729 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 6.5% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 177 in 1920. It also appeared in 5 birth records for boys in 2025. Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 4,514 as a first name in 2020; 894 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Marcelle’s family of names
Marcelle is a feminine form of Marcel. In English usage, Marcelle has a related form in Marcella. In French usage, Marcelle has a conventional equivalent in the Italian form Marcella.
Inner ring: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Around the world
Marcelle has relatives in 6 languages.
3 related names in 6 languages. Point at a dot, or tab to the map and use the arrow keys.
Nicknames & forms 1
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Across languages 6
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
People named Marcelle
- Marcelle MeyerFrench pianist (1897–1958)
- Marcelle ChantalFrench actress (1898-1960)1901–1960
- Marcelle TinayreFrench writer and journalist (1870–1948)
- Marcelle CapyFrench novelist, journalist, feminist and militant pacifist.1891–1962
- Marcelle LenderFrench dancer and singer (1861–1926)
- Marcelle Barbey-GampertSwiss botanist, geologist and climatologist (1887-1949)
- Marcelle LagesseMauritian writer (1916–2011)
- Marcelle CahnFrench painter (1895–1981)
- Marcelle AuclairFrench writer (1899-1983)
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Marcelle, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Marion
“a manly man”
34% boys · 66% girls
Marvel
“an extraordinary woman” · “an extraordinary man”
48% boys · 52% girls
Garnet
“resembling the dark-red gem”
33% boys · 67% girls
Carmel
“garden” · “of the fruitful orchard”
28% boys · 72% girls
Victory
Victory is a surname.
25% boys · 75% girls
Merrill
“of the shining sea”
51% boys · 49% girls
Myrle
“resembling a blackbird”
23% boys · 77% girls
Arrie
“resembling a lion or an eagle”
8% boys · 92% girls