
Origin, Meaning, And History Of Margaret
Margaret is a girl name with French and Greek origins. It is a derivative of the French term Marguerite, meaning ‘pearl.’ The term arises from the Latin form of the Greek Margarites. This adorable name was much liked by the Romans and spread throughout Europe in medieval times.
The meaning of Margaret is mostly the same in various languages and cultures. It means little pearl in German and pearl in the Gaelic and Scottish languages. The name implies a child of light, pearl, or jewel in Greek, Persian, Hebrew, Irish, and Latin. In Old English, Margaret was termed Meregrot. Its literal translation is stone or pebble of the sea. Margaret is also the name of the moon of Uranus planet.
Margaret has plenty of variations. In Scottish, it is Mairead or Maighread, and in Irish, it is Máiréad. In Dutch, German, and Swedish, Margaret is used as Margaretha, while in English, its variant is Marjorie.
Saint Margaret, the Early Christian martyr was a legend in ancient times. The history remembers the various ordeals she endured during the reign of Emperor Diocletian (r. 284–305). Margaret Tudor of England, who became the Queen of Scots after her marriage with King James V., is another notable name bearer from the past.
Several notable persons contributed to the popularity of the name. Margaret Thatcher is the most divisive figure in British political history, with her administration featuring controversial economic policies, high unemployment, and the Miners’ strike. The founder of the Griffin Poetry Prize and the Writers’ Trust of Canada, Margaret Atwood, is also a famous name bearer. Margaret Mitchell and Margaret Walker are famous writers of the mid-20th century who gave a boost to this name’s growth.
The name has also been a popular choice for celebs, with Kellie Martin, Jenna Bush Hager, and Matthew John Jackson choosing the name for their daughters.
Other popular versions in modern times of the name include Margaret Evelyn, or Maggie Simpson, in the TV show The Simpsons. Margaret “Meg” March, in the novel Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. Margaret Houlihan is also the name of the lead character in the movie and television show M*A*S*H.
How To Pronounce Margaret?
Famous People With The Name Margaret
- Margaret HamiltonAmerican computer scientist, director of the Software Engineering Division of the MIT Instrumentation Laboratory
- Margaret Mitchell American novelist known for Gone with the Wind
- Margaret SmithAmerican Emmy Award-winning standup comic
- Margaret B.Denning Late American missionary who wrote Mosaics from India
- Margaret Olivia Slocum Sage American philanthropist, launched the Russell Sage Foundation for Social Betterment
- Margaret of AnjouQueen consort of Henry VI
- Margaret Higgins SangerAmerican birth control activist, nurse, and sex educator
- Margaret Peterson HaddixAmerican novelist famous for Shadow Children and The Missing novels
- Margaret Moran ChoAmerican comedian
- Margaret Grace DenigAmerican actress known for her role in the series Lost
- Margaret CassidyAmerican actress, also known as Maggie Lawson
- Margaret FullerAmerican activist associated with the American transcendentalism movement
- Margaret GormanFirst Miss America
- Sarah Margaret QualleyAmerican model and actress known for role in the second season of The Fashion Found
Margaret On The Popularity Chart
This name started growing popular in the 1990s and remained steady until the 2000s. Look at this graph for more details.
Popularity Over Time
The baby name’s usage declined after 2000. But from 2013 onward, its rise is noticeable through this graph.
Source: Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
This name has maintained its place in the top 200 baby names for girls. Learn about its rank over time with this graph.
Source: Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sound As Margaret
Margaret undoubtedly sounds great. But if you want more such classy names, look at the options below.
Names With Same Meaning As Margaret
Want to explore names that mean something similar to a pearl? Here are some picks.
Name Numerology For Margaret


