Margaret
Margaret is a girl's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Pearl.
Origin and history
Margaret is a classic feminine name derived from the Greek word 'margarites', meaning 'pearl'. It has been one of the most consistently popular English names for centuries, borne by numerous queens, saints, and influential figures. In the United States, it ranks among the top ten most historically common female names.
Popularity in the United States
1,264,774 babies in the United States have been named Margaret since 1880. It ranks #7 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #126.
States where it is most popular
- NY (10.2 %)
- PA (10.1 %)
- IL (5.5 %)
- OH (5.2 %)
- CA (4.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 21,799 |
| 1890-1900 | 37,937 |
| 1900-1910 | 57,919 |
| 1910-1920 | 189,234 |
| 1920-1930 | 245,011 |
| 1930-1940 | 157,369 |
| 1940-1950 | 173,028 |
| 1950-1960 | 149,582 |
| 1960-1970 | 81,870 |
| 1970-1980 | 31,947 |
| 1980-1990 | 30,352 |
| 1990-2000 | 31,294 |
| 2000-2010 | 23,919 |
| 2010-2019 | 20,036 |
| 2020-2029 | 13,477 |
Famous people named Margaret
- Margaret Thatcher: Prime Minister, Politician
- Margaret Atwood: Author, Poet
- Margaret Cho: Comedian, Actress
Nicknames
Maggie, Margie, Marge, Peggy, Meg, Greta
Fun facts
- Margaret has been borne by scores of European queens, princesses, and noblewomen throughout history.
- It has generated more common English diminutives than almost any other female name, including Maggie, Molly, Peggy, and Daisy.