Why is Mario called Mario? Origin of the hero's name

Behind the scenesShigeru MiyamotoMario Segale

The plumber owes his first name to the owner of Nintendo's American warehouse. Before he was Mario, the character went by Jumpman in the English Donkey Kong instructions — and Miyamoto nicknamed him “Mr. Video”. This article tells how Mario Segale, Nintendo of America's landlord, lent his first name to the icon, and why that simple, universal name caught on everywhere.

The name “Mario” is known all over the world today. But do you know why Nintendo's famous mustachioed plumber is called that? Behind this now-iconic first name lies a story as surprising as it is amusing, tied to Nintendo's early days in America… and to a certain warehouse owner.

Contents

• Before Mario, there was Jumpman
• Mario Segale, the real “Mario”
• A simple, memorable and universal name
• Shigeru Miyamoto: the creator behind the icon
• Mario Segale: a quiet but historic influence
• FAQ
• Conclusion

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Before Mario, there was Jumpman

When Shigeru Miyamoto designs Donkey Kong in 1981, the main character does not have a settled name yet. In the internal documents, he is simply called Jumpman (or sometimes “Mr. Video”). At the time, he is an anonymous carpenter tasked with rescuing his girlfriend from a giant gorilla.

But Nintendo of America, in charge of selling the game internationally, wants to give him a stronger identity for Western audiences.

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Mario Segale, the real “Mario”

In the early '80s, Nintendo of America rents a warehouse in Tukwila, near Seattle, to set up its first offices. The building belongs to an Italian-American businessman: Mario Segale.

One day, Segale shows up in person to demand unpaid rent. His commanding presence, his mustache and his Italian name make a strong impression on the American team. As the legend goes, they decide right there to name their hero “ Mario ” in his honor. The idea is approved by Minoru Arakawa (NOA's president) and then signed off by headquarters in Japan.

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A simple, memorable and universal name

Beyond the anecdote, choosing “Mario” proves to be a smart move for several reasons:

• It is easy to pronounce in a great many languages
• It evokes Italian immigration in Brooklyn, in keeping with the game's world
• It gives the character the image of an everyman, approachable and endearing

As early as Mario Bros. (1983), Nintendo deepens that identity: Mario becomes a plumber (a nod to the Warp Pipes) and gains a brother, Luigi. The legend is under way.

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Shigeru Miyamoto: the creator behind the icon

Having joined Nintendo in 1977, Miyamoto wants from the outset to create a character he can reuse across several types of games. Mario's design is born of technical constraints:

• His cap saves the team from animating hair
• His mustache sharpens the facial features in pixel art
• His overalls make it possible to tell his arms from his body

Miyamoto often compares Mario to a universal “actor” , able to switch roles (doctor, racer, golfer…).

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Mario Segale: a quiet but historic influence

Despite his indirect role, Mario Segale never tried to cash in on his fame. Asked about it, he would joke: “ I'm still waiting for my royalties.»

A respected businessman, he passed away in 2018 at the age of 84. Even though his name appears in no credits, he will forever remain tied to the history of video games.

Want to (re)discover the hero in full? Here is our profile of Mario, Nintendo's legendary plumber.

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Quick recap: the origin of the name Mario

Character's original name	Jumpman (in the English Donkey Kong instructions); Miyamoto had also called him “Mr. Video”
Creator	Shigeru Miyamoto, who joined Nintendo in 1977
First appearance	Donkey Kong (1981), as a carpenter
Origin of the name	Mario Segale, an Italian-American property developer, owner of the warehouse rented by Nintendo of America in Tukwila (near Seattle)
Who chose the name	At Nintendo of America: president Minoru Arakawa and warehouse manager Don James (the name was given as a nod to their landlord)
Becomes a plumber	From Mario Bros. (1983) onward, alongside his brother Luigi
Mario Segale	Businessman, passed away in 2018 at the age of 84

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🍄 Want to keep the adventure going? Discover our Mario posters in the shop.

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FAQ

• What was Mario called before he had that name?
  In the English instructions for Donkey Kong (1981), he was called Jumpman; Miyamoto had also considered the name “Mr. Video” for this reusable character. Back then, he was a carpenter.
• Where does the name “Mario” come from?
  It comes from Mario Segale, an Italian-American property developer who owned the warehouse Nintendo of America rented in Tukwila, near Seattle. According to the accounts handed down, the Nintendo of America team named the character that way as a nod to their landlord.
• Who created the character of Mario?
  Shigeru Miyamoto, who joined Nintendo in 1977. He designed Donkey Kong (1981) and wanted a character he could reuse across several types of games.
• Why does Mario wear a cap and a mustache?
  For technical reasons tied to the graphics limits of the era: the cap avoided animating hair, the mustache worked around the lack of a visible mouth, and the overalls made it possible to tell the arms from the body.
• Did Mario Segale ever get paid for his name?
  Nothing suggests he was ever paid. He even used to joke that he was still waiting for his “royalty checks”. He passed away in 2018 at the age of 84.

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Conclusion

Behind the name Mario lies a delicious anecdote, emblematic of the industry's homespun early days. Between a visionary Japanese creator and an American landlord with a strong temper, it was a simple unpaid rent that gave birth to one of the most iconic names in pop culture. Which goes to show that, sometimes, a little pressure can create a legend.

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