Margaret Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Margaret Name Meaning

Fact: Saint Margaret of Antioch is a revered Christian saint and martyr from the 3rd century. She is the patron saint of childbirth, pregnant women, and peasants.

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A Deep Dive

Margaret Overview

Meaning

Pearl

Gender

Girl

Origin

Greek, Latin

Etymology

Derived from the Greek word “margarites,” meaning “pearl,” through the Latin “Margarita”​

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/ˈmɑːr.ɡrət/

Popularity

Margaret is a classic name that has remained in use for centuries in English-speaking countries and in Europe. In 2023, Margaret was ranked #125 for girls in the USA.

Syllable

3 syllables

Length

8 letters

Numerology

11 (Intuitive, Idealistic, Spiritual)

Name Styles

Classic, Traditional, Vintage

Associated Traits

Elegant, classic, refined, strong, compassionate

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

The name Margaret is associated with numerous saints and queens, symbolizing purity, strength, and nobility.

Name Day

July 20 (Poland), November 16 (Germany), November 17 (Czech Republic)
A Deep Dive

Margaret Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Margarete, Margaretta, Marguerite, Margaretha, Margherita

Common Nicknames

Maggie, Meg, Margo, Maisie, Peggy

Diminutives

Margie, Greta, Madge, Meggie, Rita

Famous People

  • Margaret Thatcher
    (British Politician)
  • Margaret Atwood
    (Canadian Author)
  • Margaret Mead
    (American Anthropologist)
  • Margaret Cho
    (American Comedian)
  • Margaret Court
    (Australian Tennis Player)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Margaret "Meg" March
    ("Little Women," Novel)
  • Margaret Houlihan
    ("MAS*H," TV Series)
  • Margaret Schlegel
    ("Howards End," Novel)
  • Margaret White
    ("Carrie," Film)

Places

  • Margaret City
    (Alabama, USA)
  • Margaret Island
    (Budapest, Hungary)
  • Margaret River
    (Western Australia, Australia)
  • Margaret Bay
    (Queensland, Australia)
  • Margaret Park
    (Minnesota, USA)

What Is the Meaning of Margaret?

Margaret means “pearl.” People with this name are often seen as precious and valuable, symbolizing purity and elegance.

What Is the Origin of The Name Margaret?

The name Margaret originates from the Greek word “margaritēs,” meaning “pearl.” It has been used since medieval times and has a rich history in many cultures.

Margaret Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Margaret in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#1252021#1272022#1322023
Top 3 Rankings#31891#31894#31905

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Margaret

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023132
(-5 from 2022)
2070
(-126 from 2022)
0.11834
2022127
(-2 from 2021)
2196
(-45 from 2021)
0.12247
2021125
(+1 from 2020)
2241
(+47 from 2020)
0.12509
2020126
(+1 from 2019)
2194
(-20 from 2019)
0.12412
2019127
No change from 2018
2214
(-119 from 2018)
0.12066
2018127
(+5 from 2017)
2333
(+78 from 2017)
0.12545
2017132
(+7 from 2016)
2255
(+39 from 2016)
0.11937
2016139
(+16 from 2015)
2216
(+106 from 2015)
0.11447
2015155
(+14 from 2014)
2110
(+159 from 2014)
0.10816
2014169
(+11 from 2013)
1951
(+177 from 2013)
0.09973
2013180
(-4 from 2012)
1774
(-5 from 2012)
0.09203
2012176
(+10 from 2011)
1779
(+80 from 2011)
0.09173
2011186
(-4 from 2010)
1699
(-1 from 2010)
0.08768
2010182
(+5 from 2009)
1700
(-66 from 2009)
0.08670
2009187
(-9 from 2008)
1766
(-98 from 2008)
0.08721
2008178
(-5 from 2007)
1864
(-162 from 2007)
0.08949
2007173
(-13 from 2006)
2026
(-162 from 2006)
0.09572
2006160
(-9 from 2005)
2188
(-123 from 2005)
0.10466
2005151
(-18 from 2004)
2311
(-125 from 2004)
0.11387
2004133
(-5 from 2003)
2436
(-189 from 2003)
0.12073
2003128
(+1 from 2002)
2625
(-53 from 2002)
0.13083
2002129
(-11 from 2001)
2678
(-218 from 2001)
0.13559
2001118
(-8 from 2000)
2896
(-226 from 2000)
0.14619
2000110
No change from 1999
3122
(+164 from 1999)
0.15643
1999110
(+4 from 1998)
2958
(-3 from 1998)
0.15194
1998114
(-4 from 1997)
2961
(-6 from 1997)
0.15275
1997110
(-5 from 1996)
2967
(-136 from 1996)
0.15540
1996105
(-1 from 1995)
3103
(-119 from 1995)
0.16185
1995104
(+2 from 1994)
3222
(+117 from 1994)
0.16768
1994106
(-4 from 1993)
3105
(-63 from 1993)
0.15928
1993102
No change from 1992
3168
(-73 from 1992)
0.16069
1992102
(+6 from 1991)
3241
(+46 from 1991)
0.16167
1991108
(-6 from 1990)
3195
(-177 from 1990)
0.15712
1990102
(-5 from 1989)
3372
(+87 from 1989)
0.16414
198997
(-4 from 1988)
3285
(+147 from 1988)
0.16489
198893
(-3 from 1987)
3138
(-8 from 1987)
0.16317
198790
(-1 from 1986)
3146
(+61 from 1986)
0.16786
198689
(+1 from 1985)
3085
(+14 from 1985)
0.16716
198590
(+2 from 1984)
3071
(+37 from 1984)
0.16633
198492
No change from 1983
3034
(+90 from 1983)
0.16825
198392
(+5 from 1982)
2944
(-53 from 1982)
0.16450
198297
(+10 from 1981)
2997
(+206 from 1981)
0.16519
1981107
(-2 from 1980)
2791
(-70 from 1980)
0.15605
1980105
(+3 from 1979)
2861
(+29 from 1979)
0.16067
1979108
(+2 from 1978)
2832
(+203 from 1978)
0.16434
1978110
(+1 from 1977)
2629
(+5 from 1977)
0.15993
1977111
(-8 from 1976)
2624
(-43 from 1976)
0.15951
1976103
(-5 from 1975)
2667
(-283 from 1975)
0.16967
197598
(-3 from 1974)
2950
(-137 from 1974)
0.18900
197495
(-1 from 1973)
3087
(-81 from 1973)
0.19709
197394
(+1 from 1972)
3168
(-117 from 1972)
0.20385
197295
(-9 from 1971)
3285
(-716 from 1971)
0.20371
197186
(-6 from 1970)
4001
(-703 from 1970)
0.22829
197080
(-7 from 1969)
4704
(-339 from 1969)
0.25679
196973
(-10 from 1968)
5043
(-397 from 1968)
0.28609
196863
(-5 from 1967)
5440
(-786 from 1967)
0.31819
196758
(-3 from 1966)
6226
(-734 from 1966)
0.36264
196655
(-3 from 1965)
6960
(-837 from 1965)
0.39641
196552
(-3 from 1964)
7797
(-1304 from 1964)
0.42666
196449
(-3 from 1963)
9101
(-207 from 1963)
0.46496
196346
(-3 from 1962)
9308
(-765 from 1962)
0.46819
196243
(-3 from 1961)
10073
(-482 from 1961)
0.49697
196140
(-4 from 1960)
10555
(-808 from 1960)
0.50815
196036
No change from 1959
11363
(-211 from 1959)
0.54637
195936
(-5 from 1958)
11574
(-740 from 1958)
0.55681
195831
(-2 from 1957)
12314
(-699 from 1957)
0.59610
195729
(-4 from 1956)
13013
(-901 from 1956)
0.62022
195625
(-1 from 1955)
13914
(-527 from 1955)
0.67559
195524
(-3 from 1954)
14441
(-786 from 1954)
0.72028
195421
(-1 from 1953)
15227
(-969 from 1953)
0.76485
195320
(+1 from 1952)
16196
(-905 from 1952)
0.83939
195221
(-4 from 1951)
17101
(-591 from 1951)
0.89911
195117
(-2 from 1950)
17692
(-418 from 1950)
0.95774
195015
(-1 from 1949)
18110
(-1342 from 1949)
1.02984
194914
(-1 from 1948)
19452
(+579 from 1948)
1.10805
194813
(+3 from 1947)
18873
(-1228 from 1947)
1.08299
194716
(+1 from 1946)
20101
(+1968 from 1946)
1.10574
194617
(-2 from 1945)
18133
(+2447 from 1945)
1.12424
194515
(-1 from 1944)
15686
(-634 from 1944)
1.16528
194414
No change from 1943
16320
(-834 from 1943)
1.19427
194314
No change from 1942
17154
(+607 from 1942)
1.19507
194214
(-2 from 1941)
16547
(+852 from 1941)
1.19003
194112
(-1 from 1940)
15695
(+633 from 1940)
1.25964
194011
(-1 from 1939)
15062
(+111 from 1939)
1.27499
193910
(-1 from 1938)
14951
(-380 from 1938)
1.31835
19389
(+1 from 1937)
15331
(+189 from 1937)
1.34312
193710
(-1 from 1936)
15142
(+547 from 1936)
1.37424
19369
(-1 from 1935)
14595
(-131 from 1935)
1.35445
19358
No change from 1934
14726
(-418 from 1934)
1.35503
19348
(-1 from 1933)
15144
(-97 from 1933)
1.39919
19337
No change from 1932
15241
(-1314 from 1932)
1.45702
19327
No change from 1931
16555
(-778 from 1931)
1.49643
19317
(-2 from 1930)
17333
(-1018 from 1930)
1.57042
19305
No change from 1929
18351
(-859 from 1929)
1.57323
19295
No change from 1928
19210
(-1085 from 1928)
1.65954
19285
No change from 1927
20295
(-1669 from 1927)
1.69757
19275
No change from 1926
21964
(-1109 from 1926)
1.77639
19265
No change from 1925
23073
(-1389 from 1925)
1.87559
19255
No change from 1924
24462
(-2084 from 1924)
1.93670
19245
(-1 from 1923)
26546
(+411 from 1923)
2.04882
19234
No change from 1922
26135
(-727 from 1922)
2.08669
19224
No change from 1921
26862
(-1606 from 1921)
2.15314
19214
No change from 1920
28468
(+474 from 1920)
2.22455
19204
No change from 1919
27994
(+1756 from 1919)
2.25026
19194
No change from 1918
26238
(-901 from 1918)
2.23371
19184
No change from 1917
27139
(+1579 from 1917)
2.25715
19174
No change from 1916
25560
(+607 from 1916)
2.27465
19164
No change from 1915
24953
(+1899 from 1915)
2.29830
19154
No change from 1914
23054
(+5291 from 1914)
2.25167
19144
No change from 1913
17763
(+3277 from 1913)
2.22977
19134
No change from 1912
14486
(+1950 from 1912)
2.21189
19124
(-1 from 1911)
12536
(+3257 from 1911)
2.13664
19113
No change from 1910
9279
(+1053 from 1910)
2.10019
19103
No change from 1909
8226
(+868 from 1909)
1.96078
19093
No change from 1908
7358
(+382 from 1908)
1.99895
19083
No change from 1907
6976
(+263 from 1907)
1.96768
19073
No change from 1906
6713
(+617 from 1906)
1.98943
19063
No change from 1905
6096
(+406 from 1905)
1.94491
19053
(+1 from 1904)
5690
(+388 from 1904)
1.83630
19044
No change from 1903
5302
(+256 from 1903)
1.81305
19034
No change from 1902
5046
(+35 from 1902)
1.81383
19024
No change from 1901
5011
(+587 from 1901)
1.78754
19014
No change from 1900
4424
(-880 from 1900)
1.74016
19004
No change from 1899
5304
(+1055 from 1899)
1.66930
18994
No change from 1898
4249
(-447 from 1898)
1.71684
18984
No change from 1897
4696
(+550 from 1897)
1.71296
18974
No change from 1896
4146
(+96 from 1896)
1.66992
18964
No change from 1895
4050
(+119 from 1895)
1.60719
18954
(-1 from 1894)
3931
(+231 from 1894)
1.59082
18943
(+1 from 1893)
3700
(+135 from 1893)
1.56798
18934
No change from 1892
3565
(+130 from 1892)
1.58281
18924
(-1 from 1891)
3435
(+370 from 1891)
1.52726
18913
(+1 from 1890)
3065
(-35 from 1890)
1.55927
18904
No change from 1889
3100
(+183 from 1889)
1.53722
18894
(+1 from 1888)
2917
(+13 from 1888)
1.54161
18885
No change from 1887
2904
(+485 from 1887)
1.53290
18875
(+1 from 1886)
2419
(+144 from 1886)
1.55640
18866
(-1 from 1885)
2275
(+71 from 1885)
1.47983
18855
(+1 from 1884)
2204
(+62 from 1884)
1.55269
18846
No change from 1883
2142
(+261 from 1883)
1.55686
18836
No change from 1882
1881
(+60 from 1882)
1.56672
18826
(-1 from 1881)
1821
(+163 from 1881)
1.57398
18815
(+1 from 1880)
1658
(+80 from 1880)
1.67720
18806
First SSA data recorded
1578
First SSA data recorded
1.61672

American States Popularity Rankings for Margaret

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#1602021#1662022#1862023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#1012021#932022#1162023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#882021#1072022#1202023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#1172021#992022#1112023

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#2912021#3522022#2792023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#1032021#1022022#1082023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#1932021#2022022#2592023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#1632021#1932022#1662023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#922021#982022#762023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#1112021#922022#1112023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#772021#762022#572023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#812021#822022#1182023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#702021#1002022#832023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#1432021#932022#1222023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#882021#792022#912023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#902021#1132022#1042023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#872021#992022#1352023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#762021#872022#812023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#572021#452022#652023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#582021#632022#582023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#1332021#882022#1462023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#1392021#1272022#842023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#2942021#2762022#3222023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#992021#1172022#842023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#1642021#3732022#3412023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#1282021#1252022#1362023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#1372021#1212022#1582023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#1242021#1342022#912023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#1962021#1412022#1912023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#832021#602022#752023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#1192021#1092022#1202023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#1582021#2152022#1712023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#672021#1412022#1212023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#142021#212022#412023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#1432021#1002022#1582023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#3052021#4172022#3302023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#462021#742022#1032023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1192021#1462022#1042023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#3842019#1622021#2042022

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#1352020#1812022#2152023

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#1892021#892022#1862023

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#2292020#1932021#2432023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#1632021#2092022#942023

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#932019#2062021#1942023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#622021#872022#1522023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#1152021#1842022#1042023

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#2352009#2702014#2622016

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#452021#502022#582023

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#1052019#892020#1032021

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1792020#1562021#752023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#2522020#2172021#4742022

Popularity Rankings for Margaret in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Medieval England

Medieval England flagMedieval England#61377-1381

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa flag American Samoa
Guam flag Guam
Northern Mariana Islands flag Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands flag U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories flagOther American Territories#711998

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#931972#811973#931974

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#2662021#1582022#1762023

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#1902021#1742022#1902023

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#1901952#1921953#1951955

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#3502021#4182022#2642023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#3122020#3712022#3432023

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#4712020#3392021#3652023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#3962019#3572020#4192021

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#4002017#4962018#6032019

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#5822008#4352020#4892023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#8592020#8412021#6012022

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Margaret a Name for Boys or Girls?

Margaret is traditionally a name for girls, symbolizing qualities of grace and refinement, much like the pearl it represents.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Margaret

Margaret in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Margaret Thatcher (Politician, 1925–2013): A British politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990.
  • Margaret Atwood (Author, born 1939): A Canadian author known for her novels "The Handmaid's Tale" and "Oryx and Crake."
  • Margaret Mead (Anthropologist, 1901–1978): An American cultural anthropologist famous for her studies on the cultures of the South Pacific.
  • Margaret Cho (Comedian, born 1968): An American comedian, actress, and author known for her stand-up routines and social commentary.
  • Margaret Court (Tennis Player, born 1942): An Australian former tennis player who won 24 Grand Slam singles titles.
  • Margaret Sanger (Birth Control Activist, 1879–1966): An American birth control activist, sex educator, and nurse who opened the first birth control clinic in the United States.
  • Princess Margaret (Royalty, 1930–2002): The younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II, known for her glamorous lifestyle and public service.
  • Margaret Hamilton (Computer Scientist, born 1936): An American computer scientist who led the team that developed the onboard flight software for NASA's Apollo missions.
  • Margaret Mitchell (Author, 1900–1949): An American author best known for her novel "Gone with the Wind."
  • Margaret Bourke-White (Photographer, 1904–1971): An American photographer and documentary photographer who was the first female war correspondent.
  • Margaret "Meg" March ("Little Women," 1868 Novel by Louisa May Alcott): The eldest March sister, known for her nurturing nature and commitment to family.
  • Margaret Houlihan ("MAS*H," 1972 TV Series): A dedicated and often strict head nurse in a mobile army surgical hospital during the Korean War.
  • Margaret Schlegel ("Howards End," 1910 Novel by E.M. Forster): An intelligent and independent woman who navigates social and class conflicts in early 20th-century England.
  • Margaret White ("Carrie," 1976 Film): The fanatically religious mother of Carrie White, whose oppressive parenting has devastating consequences.
  • Margaret Tate ("The Proposal," 2009 Film): A high-powered book editor who convinces her assistant to marry her to avoid deportation, leading to unexpected romance.
  • Margaret "Maggie" Fitzgerald ("Million Dollar Baby," 2004 Film): A determined female boxer who defies the odds and seeks the help of a reluctant trainer.
  • Margaret Brown ("Titanic," 1997 Film): Also known as the "Unsinkable Molly Brown," a real-life survivor of the Titanic disaster, portrayed in the film.
  • Margaret Schroeder ("Boardwalk Empire," 2010 TV Series): A character who rises from a humble background to become a powerful and influential woman in 1920s Atlantic City.
  • Margaret Hale ("North and South," 1854 Novel by Elizabeth Gaskell): A strong-willed and compassionate woman who moves from the rural South to the industrial North of England, facing various social challenges.
  • Margaret City (Alabama, USA): A city in St. Clair County known for its suburban charm and growing community.
  • Margaret Island (Budapest, Hungary): A picturesque island in the Danube River, famous for its parks, gardens, and recreational facilities.
  • Margaret River (Western Australia, Australia): A renowned river and town known for its vineyards, surfing spots, and natural beauty.
  • Margaret Bay (Queensland, Australia): A bay known for its clear waters, scenic beauty, and marine life.
  • Margaret Park (Minnesota, USA): A public park in St. Paul featuring playgrounds, sports fields, and picnic areas.
  • Margaret Lake (Ontario, Canada): A serene lake in Ontario popular for boating, fishing, and its tranquil environment.
  • Margaret Falls (British Columbia, Canada): A beautiful waterfall in Herald Provincial Park, known for its scenic hiking trails.
  • Margaret Street (London, UK): A historic street in central London, noted for its charming architecture and cultural significance.
  • Margaret Township (Minnesota, USA): A township in Aitkin County known for its rural landscapes and community spirit.
  • Margaret Beach (Western Australia, Australia): A stunning beach known for its white sands and surfing opportunities.

Similar Names to Margaret

Sibling Names for Margaret