What is Mario's Full Name? The Official Answer from Nintendo
Official Full Name:
As confirmed by Nintendo in the 1993 live-action movie and various official sources, Mario's full name is Mario Mario, making Luigi Luigi Mario.
The History Behind Mario's Name
Donkey Kong: Debuted as "Jumpman" - the character who would become Mario
Nintendo of America renamed him "Mario" after their warehouse landlord Mario Segale, who resembled the character
Mario Bros. arcade game: Introduced Luigi as Mario's brother, establishing the "Mario Bros." naming
Super Mario Bros. movie: President Koopa explicitly states their full names are "Mario Mario and Luigi Mario"
Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto reconfirmed "Mario Mario" during a Wii U presentation
Why Mario Mario?
The naming convention comes from:
- The original "Mario Bros." title implying "Mario" is their surname
- Nintendo's tradition of simple, memorable character names
- The movie's need to establish legal names for characters
- Miyamoto's confirmation that this was always the internal understanding
Controversies and Alternate Theories
Some fans dispute "Mario Mario" because:
- It seems redundant to Western audiences
- Early Japanese materials sometimes listed just "Mario"
- The movie isn't considered canon to game lore
- Some speculate "Mario" could be his middle name with an undisclosed surname
FAQ About Mario's Name
Is Mario Mario really his canon name?
Yes. While Nintendo doesn't frequently use the full name, it has been officially confirmed multiple times by creators and licensed materials.
What was Mario's original name?
He was first called "Jumpman" in Donkey Kong (1981) before being renamed Mario in 1982.
Does Peach have a last name?
Princess Peach's full name is usually just "Princess Peach Toadstool," though recent games often drop "Toadstool."
Why was he named after Mario Segale?
During tense rent negotiations, Nintendo's American staff noticed Segale's resemblance to Jumpman and found "Mario" more appealing than "Jumpman."
Conclusion
While the full name "Mario Mario" might seem humorous or redundant, it's been Nintendo's official stance for decades. This naming convention perfectly fits the Mario brothers' Italian-American plumber personas while maintaining the series' lighthearted charm.
From his beginnings as Jumpman to becoming gaming's most recognizable icon, Mario's name - whether you consider it Mario Mario or just Mario - represents one of the most successful character branding decisions in entertainment history. The name's simplicity and memorability have helped make him universally beloved across generations of gamers.