Entry № 1543 · Latin origin

Marcia Marcia — Meaning, Origin & Baby Name Popularity

/ MAR-see-ah /
Gender
Girl
Origin
Latin
Meaning
"Cato's wife ('I'd rather die than leave you')"
Syllables
3
Rank · US 2025
№ 0
First recorded
Ancient (Latin)

A name that means "cato's wife ('i'd rather die than leave you')".

Marcia is the Latin feminine of Marcius. **Marcia (1st c. BCE)** was the Roman noblewoman, **wife of Cato the Younger**. In the famous (and historically debated) episode, Cato gave Marcia in marriage to his friend Hortensius — then, after Hortensius's death, took her back as wife.

Featured in Lucan's Pharsalia and Dante's Divine Comedy (Inferno IV, Limbo of the Virtuous).

Cato's wife. Given to Hortensius and taken back.

Where Marcia stands.

Current rank · 2025
№ 0 in the U.S.
All-time peak
№ 132 in 1959
Babies named Marcia · last year
285 in the U.S.
First entered SSA top-1000
1880
Rank, 1995–2025 Lower = more popular
№25 №75 №150 №250 1995 2005 2015 2020 2025 PEAK · #132 NOW · —

Marcias before her.

Real people
Marcia
Cato the Younger's wife.
1st c. BCE
Marcia Brady
Eldest daughter of The Brady Bunch.
In fiction
Marcia
Featured in Dante's Inferno IV.

Names connected to Marcia.

The number behind Marcia.

3

The Communicator

Marcia reduces to three — the number of Roman matron.

Why families chose this name.

"Cato's wife. Six letters. Marcia."
Sofia · Mother of one · Rome