Mars changed his Puerto Rican name "to avoid being stereotyped" into performing solely Latin and Spanish music, according to GQ.

Where did the name come from? Bruno was the nickname his father gave him at the age of two because he reminded him of his favorite wrestler Bruno Sammartino. 

The singer told rap-up.com the last name was to give him an edge:

"I felt like I didn’t have no pizzazz, and a lot of girls say I’m out of this world, so I was like I guess I’m from Mars."