The Surprising Origin of Super Mario's Name
As The Super Mario Galaxy Movie premieres in cinemas on Wednesday, 1st April, a fascinating revelation has emerged among gaming enthusiasts. Many fans are only just learning the true story behind how Nintendo's iconic plumber, Mario, received his now-famous name.
A Cinematic Sequel and a Historical Discovery
The animated sequel, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, marks the return of Chris Pratt voicing the titular character, with Charlie Day as Luigi, Jack Black as Bowser, and Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach. New additions to the cast include Donald Glover as Yoshi and Brie Larson as Princess Rosalina. Despite Mario's status as one of the best-selling video game franchises globally, with the red-hatted plumber being instantly recognisable even to non-gamers, the origin of his name has remained a mystery to many.
Mario first appeared in the 1981 arcade game Donkey Kong, where he was initially known simply as "Jumpman." It wasn't until the 1982 sequel, Donkey Kong Jr., that he was renamed Mario, setting him on a path to global stardom. This change has long puzzled fans, sparking discussions on forums like Quora, where one user recently asked, "Why is Mario called Mario?"
The Landlord Behind the Legend
Responses from knowledgeable fans quickly uncovered the intriguing backstory. The character was named after Mario Segale, an American businessman and real estate developer. In the early 1980s, Segale owned a warehouse in Tukwila, Washington, which Nintendo of America was renting. When Minoru Arakawa, the founder and former president of Nintendo of America, fell behind on rent payments, Segale arrived at the office to "angrily remind" him about the overdue amount.
As detailed in Jeff Ryan's book, Super Mario: How Nintendo Conquered America, Segale's visit coincided with a meeting where developers were debating what to call Jumpman. After Segale left, having delivered his eviction threat, someone suggested the name Mario as a joke, noting that both men sported moustaches. The name stuck, and the rest is history.
One fan on Quora explained, "Mario is called Mario because he was named after Mario Segale, who was the landlord of Nintendo of America's office, after barging in on a company meeting to demand payment of overdue rent." Another added, "It turned Jumpman into Mario when the character became the antagonist in Donkey Kong Jr."
Reflecting on an Alternate Reality
Ryan's book humorously speculates on what might have happened if Segale had shaved that day, pondering whether the character could have been named Super Carlos, Super Ivan, or Super Stavros. It raises the question: under any other name, would Mario have achieved the same monumental success? This anecdote highlights the serendipitous nature of creative decisions in the gaming industry.
With The Super Mario Galaxy Movie now in theatres, this revelation adds a layer of historical depth to the beloved franchise, reminding fans of the humble and unexpected beginnings behind one of the world's most enduring video game icons.
