Peggy
Peggy is a girl's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Pearl.
Origin and history
Peggy originated as a medieval English diminutive of Margaret, which derives from the Greek word for pearl. It reached peak popularity in the United States during the mid-20th century and remains a classic, nostalgic choice today.
Popularity in the United States
292,765 babies in the United States have been named Peggy since 1880. It ranks #132 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1999.
States where it is most popular
- TX (7.2 %)
- NC (5.9 %)
- OH (5.2 %)
- CA (5.1 %)
- IL (4.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 104 |
| 1890-1900 | 378 |
| 1900-1910 | 1,100 |
| 1910-1920 | 4,323 |
| 1920-1930 | 21,872 |
| 1930-1940 | 56,275 |
| 1940-1950 | 72,122 |
| 1950-1960 | 84,293 |
| 1960-1970 | 37,036 |
| 1970-1980 | 10,516 |
| 1980-1990 | 3,083 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,003 |
| 2000-2010 | 338 |
| 2010-2019 | 220 |
| 2020-2029 | 102 |
Famous people named Peggy
- Peggy Lee: Singer, Songwriter
- Peggy Fleming: Figure Skater, Olympic Champion
- Peggy Whitson: Astronaut, Biochemist
Nicknames
Peg
Fun facts
- Peggy evolved from Meggy, a traditional diminutive of Margaret, through the popular medieval practice of rhyming nicknames.
- Peggy was a top 20 female name in the United States during the 1930s and 1940s.