Margaret Girl

Popularity: #109 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MAR-garet //ˈmɑːrɡərɪt//

Origin: Greek; Latin; French; English

Meaning: Greek: pearl; Latin: child of light; French: daisy

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Margaret has its roots in the Greek word 'margaritēs,' meaning 'pearl.' This term was derived from the Persian word 'margarita,' which also signifies 'pearl.' The name entered the Latin language as 'Margareta' and subsequently made its way into Old French as 'Marguerite' before being adopted into Middle English as 'Margaret.' This linguistic journey reflects the name's association with beauty and value, akin to the precious gem it denotes. Historically, the name Margaret has been borne by numerous notable figures.

One of the earliest instances is Saint Margaret of Antioch, a Christian martyr from the 3rd century, whose story was popularized in medieval hagiographies. The name gained further prominence in the Middle Ages, particularly in England, where it was associated with several queens and noblewomen, including Margaret of Anjou, the wife of King Henry VI in the 15th century, and Margaret Tudor, sister of Henry VIII.

The name also appears in significant literary works, such as in Shakespeare's plays, where characters named Margaret often embody themes of virtue and resilience. Culturally, the name Margaret has been linked to various symbolic meanings, often representing purity and integrity.

In Christian tradition, the pearl is a metaphor for the Kingdom of Heaven, which may have contributed to the name's enduring appeal. Additionally, the diminutive forms of Margaret, such as Maggie and Meg, have been widely used in literature and folklore, further embedding the name into cultural consciousness.

Overall, Margaret's historical and cultural significance has ensured its lasting presence across various societies and eras.

Famous people named Margaret

In this section, you will find notable people named Margaret. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Margaret who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Margaret who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Margaret Atwood is a writer best known for The Handmaid's Tale, Oryx and Crake, and Alias Grace.

Margaret Mead is an anthropologist best known for Coming of Age in Samoa, Male and Female, and Culture and Commitment.

Margaret Cho is a comedian and actress best known for All-American Girl, Margaret Cho: Notorious C.H.O., and her stand-up comedy specials.

Margaret Laurence is a writer best known for The Stone Angel, The Diviners, and A Jest of God.

Margaret Sanger is a birth control activist best known for founding Planned Parenthood and her advocacy for women's reproductive rights.

Margaret O'Brien is an actress best known for Meet Me in St. Louis, Little Women, and The Canterville Ghost.

Margaret Fuller is a writer and feminist best known for Woman in the Nineteenth Century and her role in the Transcendentalist movement.

Margaret Court is a former tennis player best known for winning 24 Grand Slam singles titles and her achievements in women's tennis.

Fictional characters named Margaret

The following list of fictional characters named Margaret is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Margaret 'Meg' Murry is a fictional character from the novel A Wrinkle in Time. She is the protagonist who embarks on a journey through space and time to rescue her father and save the universe.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Margaret, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

ElizabethCatherineVictoriaCharlotteAliceBeatrice

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Margaret. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

MargotMarjorieMarleneMiriamMarthaMatildaMabelMavis

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Margaret was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Margaret has ranked as high as #9 nationally, which occurred in 1921, and has been most popular in New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, and California.

In the past 5 years the name Margaret has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Margaret is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Margaret was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Margaret.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 2,436 0 2,436
2024 2,316 0 2,316
2023 2,085 0 2,085
2022 2,199 0 2,199
2021 2,245 0 2,245
2020 2,196 0 2,196
2019 2,214 0 2,214
2018 2,334 0 2,334
2017 2,255 0 2,255
2016 2,217 0 2,217
2015 2,110 0 2,110
2014 1,951 0 1,951
2013 1,774 0 1,774
2012 1,786 6 1,780
2011 1,699 0 1,699
2010 1,702 0 1,702
2009 1,768 0 1,768
2008 1,865 0 1,865
2007 2,029 0 2,029
2006 2,188 0 2,188
2005 2,312 0 2,312
2004 2,443 7 2,436
2003 2,630 5 2,625
2002 2,678 0 2,678
2001 2,896 0 2,896
2000 3,122 0 3,122
1999 2,958 0 2,958
1998 2,969 7 2,962
1997 2,967 0 2,967
1996 3,109 6 3,103
1995 3,232 11 3,221
1994 3,112 7 3,105
1993 3,167 0 3,167
1992 3,252 8 3,244
1991 3,205 10 3,195
1990 3,389 17 3,372
1989 3,319 34 3,285
1988 3,153 14 3,139
1987 3,157 11 3,146
1986 3,093 9 3,084
1985 3,088 16 3,072
1984 3,048 15 3,033
1983 2,961 17 2,944
1982 3,012 14 2,998
1981 2,805 13 2,792
1980 2,876 17 2,859
1979 2,841 9 2,832
1978 2,640 11 2,629
1977 2,637 12 2,625
1976 2,672 6 2,666
1975 2,963 13 2,950
1974 3,097 10 3,087
1973 3,180 13 3,167
1972 3,302 16 3,286
1971 4,013 12 4,001
1970 4,722 18 4,704
1969 5,064 20 5,044
1968 5,457 17 5,440
1967 6,253 27 6,226
1966 6,986 26 6,960
1965 7,823 24 7,799
1964 9,121 20 9,101
1963 9,323 19 9,304
1962 10,115 40 10,075
1961 10,597 38 10,559
1960 11,391 29 11,362
1959 11,601 24 11,577
1958 12,344 30 12,314
1957 13,056 43 13,013
1956 13,942 29 13,913
1955 14,475 35 14,440
1954 15,253 27 15,226
1953 16,229 34 16,195
1952 17,128 26 17,102
1951 17,728 36 17,692
1950 18,142 32 18,110
1949 19,494 42 19,452
1948 18,913 40 18,873
1947 20,149 48 20,101
1946 18,178 42 18,136
1945 15,722 37 15,685
1944 16,360 40 16,320
1943 17,214 61 17,153
1942 16,613 64 16,549
1941 15,746 50 15,696
1940 15,129 66 15,063
1939 15,015 66 14,949
1938 15,395 65 15,330
1937 15,212 68 15,144
1936 14,677 81 14,596
1935 14,799 72 14,727
1934 15,208 64 15,144
1933 15,300 59 15,241
1932 16,644 88 16,556
1931 17,407 75 17,332
1930 18,420 70 18,350
1929 19,288 76 19,212
1928 20,382 87 20,295
1927 22,051 87 21,964
1926 23,163 91 23,072
1925 24,543 80 24,463
1924 26,635 88 26,547
1923 26,186 52 26,134
1922 26,896 34 26,862
1921 28,521 53 28,468
1920 28,044 50 27,994
1919 26,296 58 26,238
1918 27,200 61 27,139
1917 25,618 58 25,560
1916 25,007 54 24,953
1915 23,107 53 23,054
1914 17,809 46 17,763
1913 14,524 38 14,486
1912 12,582 46 12,536
1911 9,307 28 9,279
1910 8,257 31 8,226
1909 7,388 30 7,358
1908 7,000 24 6,976
1907 6,746 33 6,713
1906 6,112 16 6,096
1905 5,703 13 5,690
1904 5,322 20 5,302
1903 5,068 23 5,045
1902 5,033 22 5,011
1901 4,445 21 4,424
1900 5,320 16 5,304
1899 4,262 13 4,249
1898 4,712 16 4,696
1897 4,155 9 4,146
1896 4,058 8 4,050
1895 3,940 9 3,931
1894 3,715 15 3,700
1893 3,579 14 3,565
1892 3,447 12 3,435
1891 3,077 12 3,065
1890 3,115 15 3,100
1889 2,930 13 2,917
1888 2,915 11 2,904
1887 2,432 13 2,419
1886 2,283 8 2,275
1885 2,215 11 2,204
1884 2,152 10 2,142
1883 1,894 13 1,881
1882 1,828 7 1,821
1881 1,667 9 1,658
1880 1,578 0 1,578

Top States for Margaret (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
TX 190
8%
PA 108
5%
GA 104
5%
CA 103
4%
NY 103
4%
NC 98
4%
IL 95
4%
OH 92
4%
VA 85
4%
TN 84
4%
MI 77
3%
AL 70
3%
FL 68
3%
MA 64
3%
IN 63
3%
MO 63
3%
SC 59
3%
CO 52
2%
MN 49
2%
WA 48
2%
LA 46
2%
WI 43
2%
KY 42
2%
MD 42
2%
NJ 41
2%
KS 37
2%
UT 34
1%
IA 32
1%
MS 27
1%
CT 26
1%
OK 26
1%
OR 24
1%
NE 23
1%
NH 21
1%
AZ 19
1%
AR 19
1%
ID 17
1%
DC 17
1%
ME 12
1%
RI 11
0%
ND 9
0%
WV 8
0%
NM 8
0%
VT 8
0%
AK 7
0%
NV 6
0%
SD 6
0%
MT 5
0%