Nintendo's mascot is one of the most iconic video game characters of all time, but fans have only just discovered the unusual backstory behind Super Mario's nameTech16:08, 22 May 2025The origin of Mario's name goes back to a rent dispute in the 1980s(Image: Universal Studios via AP)Super Mario has been enchanting video gamers for decades, yet it appears many have only just stumbled upon the origins of the iconic plumber's name. For anyone with a passing interest in gaming, Mario is a household name, the protagonist of the famous Super Mario series and the face of Nintendo.The Mario franchise stands as the top-selling video game series ever, boasting over 830 million units sold – including a staggering 430 million from Super Mario titles alone. Whether at costume parties or Halloween bashes, Mario's likeness is unmistakable across the globe.‌However, the backstory behind his moniker remains a curiosity for many. First making an appearance in 1981's Donkey Kong, the character initially went by "Jumpman", but it wasn't until the follow-up, 1982's Donkey Kong Jr, that he received the memorable name Mario, paving his way to international acclaim.‌The website Quora saw an outpouring of intrigue when one user posed the query: "Why is Mario called Mario?" Knowledgeable fans were quick off the mark to clarify, shedding light on a fascinating tidbit. The beloved character's namesake was none other than Mario Segale, an American businessman and notable figure in real estate development.Segale was the proprietor of a warehouse in Tukwila, Washington, which Nintendo used as a rental space during the early 1980s. When Minoru Arakawa, the founder and erstwhile president of Nintendo of America, fell behind on the rent for the premises, Segale made a memorable appearance to "angrily remind" him to pay – inadvertently providing inspiration to the Nintendo team.Article continues belowOne Quora user expressed their thoughts: "Could have been Shigeru Miyamoto, but I'm going with former Nintendo of America president Minoru Arakawa as a means to mock their then-landlord Mario Seagale, which in turn, turned Jumpman into Mario when the character became the antagonist in Donkey Kong Jr."Another individual elaborated: "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."One Nintendo exec was said to have named Mario after their angry landlord(Image: Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images)‌In Jeff Ryan's 2011 book, Super Mario: How Nintendo Conquered America, he delved into the origins of the iconic name, recounting how Segale had nearly "jumped up and down himself" in fury over the delayed rent, emulating Jumpman’s own antics.He wrote: "Around this time, the Tukwila warehouse's owner showed up in person to angrily remind Arakawa about the rent. As the legend goes, the owner, Mario Segale, interrupted a conversation over what to call Jumpman. Segale said his piece, and he grew so incensed he almost jumped up and down himself."After the landlord departed, having delivered the threat of eviction, someone suggested the name Mario. It was a bit of a laugh, given that both men sported moustaches. But the name was well-received by all.Article continues below"If Mr. Segale had only shaved that morning, who can say what name the character on the screen might have been given? Super Carlos? Super Ivan? Super Stavros? Would that alternate-universe name have made a difference in Nintendo's success? Under any other name, would Mario play as sweet?"Mario will next appear in Mario Kart World for the Nintendo Switch 2, which will be released as a launch game for the new console on June 5th.‌‌‌