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Maggie Girl

Popularity: #279 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationMAG-ee / /ˈmæɡi/

English; Hebrew

Meaning

English: Pearl; Hebrew: Child of light

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Maggie is derived from the Hebrew name Miriam, which means "sea of bitterness" or "rebelliousness." The name passed into Greek as Maria, which was then Latinized to Maria. From Latin, it transitioned into Old French as Marguerite, meaning "daisy," and eventually evolved into the diminutive form Maggie in English. The use of Maggie as a standalone name became more common in the 19th century, often as a familiar or affectionate form of Margaret, which has similar roots in the Greek word "margaritēs," also meaning "pearl." This linguistic journey illustrates the name's deep historical roots and its evolution through various cultures and languages.

Historically, the name Margaret has been borne by numerous notable figures, including Saint Margaret of Scotland, who lived in the 11th century and was known for her piety and charitable works. The name gained further prominence through its appearance in literary works, such as Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing," where the character Margaret plays a significant role. The King James Bible, translated in the early 17th century, also contributed to the name's resonance, as it included references to Mary, a name closely associated with Maggie through its etymological lineage.

Culturally, Maggie has been associated with warmth and familiarity, often evoking images of nurturing and kindness. This connection is reinforced through various literary and artistic representations, where characters named Maggie are frequently depicted as relatable and endearing. The name's diminutive form has allowed it to maintain a sense of intimacy and affection, which has contributed to its enduring presence in various cultures. Overall, Maggie reflects a rich tapestry of linguistic evolution and cultural significance, rooted in a history that spans centuries.

Trend Summary

Maggie has seen fluctuating popularity in the U.S., peaking in the early 20th century and remaining a classic choice.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Maggie
  • Meg
  • Megan

International Variants

  • Margarita (Spanish)
  • Margarite (French)
  • Magdalena (Spanish)

Famous people named Maggie

Maggie Smith is an actress best known for Downton Abbey, Harry Potter, and The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.

Maggie Gyllenhaal is an actress and producer best known for Secretary, The Dark Knight, and The Deuce.

Maggie Rogers is a singer-songwriter best known for Alaska, Fallingwater, and Give a Little.

Maggie Q is an actress and model best known for Nikita, Live Free or Die Hard, and The Divergent Series.

Maggie Cheung is an actress best known for In the Mood for Love, Hero, and Clean.

Fictional characters named Maggie

Maggie Simpson is a fictional character from the animated television series The Simpsons. She is the youngest child of the Simpson family, known for her pacifier and minimal speech, often serving as a symbol of innocence in the show.

Maggie Greene is a fictional character from the comic book series The Walking Dead. She is a strong and resourceful survivor who becomes a key leader in the fight against the zombie apocalypse.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Maggie was first seen in the United States in 1880. Maggie has ranked as high as #381 nationally, which occurred in 2007, and has been most popular in North Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Alabama. In the past 5 years the name Maggie has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Maggie (2024)

StateBirthsShare
TX 69
7%
TN 63
6%
NC 63
6%
CA 55
6%
GA 46
5%
PA 44
4%
IL 43
4%
OH 39
4%
AL 39
4%
IN 38
4%
FL 34
3%
KY 33
3%
VA 29
3%
UT 28
3%
AR 27
3%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
1880582
1881532
1882627
1883663
1884749
1885716
1886756
1887740
1888882
1889825
1890891
1891841
1892883
1893886
1894895
1895890
1896871
1897760
1898876
1899814
19001,045
1901746
1902853
1903780
1904805
1905809
1906839
1907846
1908772
1909794
1910940
1911822
19121,013
19131,019
19141,055
19151,269
19161,277
19171,268
19181,394
19191,428
19201,299
19211,300
19221,313
19231,248
19241,259
19251,215
19261,092
19271,090
19281,020
1929859
1930794
1931742
1932734
1933677
1934729
1935686
1936662
1937634
1938580
1939567
1940512
1941539
1942546
1943566
1944516
1945440
1946469
1947528
1948483
1949420
1950444
1951387
1952407
1953336
1954346
1955348
1956287
1957296
1958305
1959346
1960325
1961308
1962267
1963273
1964245
1965175
1966178
1967211
1968175
1969170
1970172
1971212
1972236
1973341
1974353
1975409
1976404
1977410
1978342
1979469
1980460
1981487
1982602
1983738
1984843
1985945
1986828
1987877
1988888
1989840
1990958
1991937
19921,040
1993984
19941,225
19951,137
19961,103
19971,054
19981,238
19991,423
20001,614
20011,819
20021,697
20031,718
20041,631
20051,658
20061,853
20071,874
20081,607
20091,426
20101,409
20111,389
20121,308
20131,385
20141,355
20151,338
20161,324
20171,287
20181,128
20191,135
20201,090
20211,121
20221,074
2023976
20241,051