What was Mario’s name before Mario?

What was Mario’s name before Mario?

Mario, the iconic video game character, has been a part of our lives for decades. But, did you know that Mario wasn’t always called Mario? In fact, the character had multiple names before he became the beloved plumber we know today.

Jumpman: The Original Name

Mario’s original name was Jumpman, and it was given to him because of his ability to jump and climb ladders in the 1981 arcade game Donkey Kong. Jumpman was the main protagonist of the game, and his task was to rescue a damsel in distress named Pauline from the clutches of Donkey Kong.

Ossan and Mr. Video: Early Alternatives

Before settling on Jumpman, Mario’s creator, Shigeru Miyamoto, considered two other names for the character. In Japan, Mario was briefly known as Ossan, which is a colloquial term for "middle-aged man." This name was later abandoned in favor of Jumpman.

Miyamoto also experimented with the name Mr. Video, but it didn’t quite stick. This name was likely inspired by the character’s occupation as a video game hero.

The Birth of Mario

So, how did Jumpman become Mario? The answer lies in the United States. When Nintendo released Donkey Kong in America, the company’s American executives felt that Jumpman needed a more memorable and marketable name. They wanted something that would appeal to a broader audience, and thus, Mario was born.

The Story Behind the Name

According to an interview with Miyamoto, the name Mario was inspired by a landlord named Mario Segale, who was known for being a strong and robust man. Miyamoto liked the name and felt it suited the character’s personality.

Interesting Facts

Here are some interesting facts about Mario’s name change:

• Mario’s full name is Mario Mario, which was revealed in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island and Yoshi’s New Island.

• Luigi’s full name is also Luigi Mario, making him the twin brother of Mario.

• Princess Daisy, Mario’s love interest, is not Mario’s sister, despite their similar names.

• Bowser Jr.’s mother is unknown, as the Mario universe doesn’t explicitly show her.

Conclusion

Mario’s name change from Jumpman to Mario is an interesting part of the character’s history. From his early days as a carpenter in Donkey Kong to his current status as a beloved plumber, Mario has undergone significant changes. Despite these changes, Mario remains an iconic character, and his name is synonymous with video games.

Timeline

Here is a timeline of Mario’s name changes:

Note: The timeline only includes the major name changes and not the minor variations that occurred during the development process.