Margaret means “pearl” and is of Latin origin, passing through Ancient Greek and ultimately coming from Old Iranian. As parents consider different options and explore baby name origins and meanings, this classic choice presents a familiar rhythm with a long history in the English language. It offers an enduring elegance while feeling natural and approachable in modern daily life.
Meaning and Origin of Margaret
Margaret is a feminine given name derived through French Marguerite and Latin Margarita from Ancient Greek. In Ancient Greek, the words μαργαρίτης (margarítēs) and μαργαριτάρι (margaritari) mean “pearl,” while μαργαρίτα (margarita) means “daisy.” Greek acquired the word through Persian, where the term مروارید (murwārīd) means “pearl.” Modern Persian preserves this word as morvārīd, which developed from the Sogdian word marγārt, both translating to “pearl.” At the earliest stage, the name traces back to the Old Iranian root -mrgāhrīta*, meaning “derived from a shell.”
A related branch of the same word entered early Germanic dialects through folk etymology. This created Old English meregrot, meaning “pearl” and literally translating to “stone or pebble of the sea.” That form connects to Old Saxon merigrita and merigriota, as well as Old High German merigrioz, formed from the elements mer- and groat. In English, Margaret developed from Middle English Margaret, which came from Old French Margaret and Latin Margarita, connected to the third-century Saint Margaret the Virgin.
Margaret has been used as an English given name since the eleventh century, remaining popular throughout the Middle Ages. William Shakespeare included the name in his 1591 work, The First Part of Henry the Sixt. The name became less common between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries before gaining popularity again after that period. In the United States, Margaret rose to become the second-most popular female name in 1903. Later, the 1990 United States census listed Margaret as the ninth-most common name for American women of all ages.
Pronunciation of Margaret
Margaret is pronounced MAHR-grət or MAHR-gə-rət.
The first syllable, MAHR, rhymes with car, bar, and far. In the common two-syllable pronunciation, the middle vowel is dropped completely. In the three-syllable pronunciation, the middle syllable gə rhymes with the first syllable of sofa. The final syllable, rət, rhymes with fit and bit.
Popularity of Margaret in the US
Margaret first appears in SSA annual tallies in 1880, and it is most often given to girls. The name climbed steadily in its early decades, reaching its peak rank of number 3 in 1891. By 1950, it held rank 15 with 18,110 babies, before shifting to rank 105 with 2,859 babies in 1980. It stood at rank 110 with 3,122 babies in 2000, followed by rank 182 with 1,702 babies in 2010 and rank 126 with 2,196 babies in 2020. In 2025, Margaret reached rank 112 with 2,436 babies, bringing the total number of US girls given the name since 1880 to 1,264,774.
| Year | US rank (girls) | Babies named Margaret |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | #15 | 18,110 |
| 1980 | #105 | 2,859 |
| 2000 | #110 | 3,122 |
| 2010 | #182 | 1,702 |
| 2020 | #126 | 2,196 |
| 2025 | #112 | 2,436 |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby name data (names given to at least 5 babies in a year).
Nicknames for Margaret
Margaret has several traditional short forms used by English speakers. Common nicknames include:
- Maggie
- Meg
- Peggy
- Marge
- Margie
Famous People Named Margaret
Several notable figures throughout history have carried the name Margaret:
- Margaret Thatcher: A British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990.
- Margaret Atwood: An acclaimed Canadian author and poet recognized for writing The Handmaid’s Tale.
- Margaret Mead: A prominent American anthropologist celebrated for her research in cultural anthropology.
Middle and Sibling Names for Margaret
Middle names that pair smoothly with Margaret include Jane, Rose, Claire, and Lynn.
For siblings, complementary classic choices include Nicholas, William, Elizabeth, and James.
FAQ
Which ancient root words formed the name Margaret?
The name Margaret formed through the Ancient Greek words μαργαρίτης (margarítēs), meaning “pearl,” and μαργαρίτα (margarita), meaning “daisy.” These Greek terms came from Persian murwārīd and Sogdian marγārt, which also mean “pearl.” At the earliest stage, the name traces to the Old Iranian root -mrgāhrīta*, meaning “derived from a shell.”
How does Margaret’s peak standing compare to its rank in 2025?
Margaret reached its peak position at rank 3 in 1891, compared to rank 112 in 2025. In 1891, it stood near the very top of female baby names across the nation, whereas in 2025, it was given to 2,436 baby girls.
How many girls in the United States have been named Margaret in total?
A total of 1,264,774 girls in the United States have received the name Margaret since 1880. This total reflects the widespread use of the name across more than a century of American naming patterns.
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