Margaret: Meaning, origin and popularity
Pronounced MAHR-grit · 2 syllables
Margaret means “pearl”, from Greek.
From the name of 3rd century Saint Margaret the Virgin, from Middle English Margaret, from Old French Margaret (French Marguerite), from Latin Margarita, from Ancient Greek (margarites, “pearl”), ultimately from an Indo-Iranian source.
- Meaning
- pearl
- Origin
- Greek
- Pronunciation
- MAHR-grit
- US rank (2025)
- #112
- US babies a year
- about 2,272 (2021–2025)
- Peak
- around 1900
- Style
- Vintage, Classic
- Nicknames
- Meg, Peggy, Maggie, Madge, Marge
How popular is Margaret?
Margaret was the #112 name in the US in 2025, given to 2,436 babies. Its use has been fairly steady over the last decade. It peaked around 1900.
Around the world
| Country | Rank |
|---|---|
| United States | #112 |
| England & Wales | #357 |
| Scotland | #471 |
| Ireland | #135 |
| Canada | #288 |
| Australia | #432 |
How old are people named Margaret?
Half of US adults named Margaret are older than 68; most are between 26 and 88. (Estimated from US births by year and life tables.)
Sibling names for Margaret
Names that real brothers and sisters of people named Margaret have, from family records on Wikidata, most common first.
Names like Margaret
Chosen by the same families or with a similar style and era.
On these lists
Questions about Margaret
What does the name Margaret mean?
Margaret means “pearl”. It comes from Greek.
How do you pronounce Margaret?
Margaret is pronounced MAHR-grit.
How popular is the name Margaret?
Margaret was the #112 name in the US in 2025, given to 2,436 babies. Its use has been fairly steady over the last decade. It peaked around 1900.
How old are people named Margaret?
Half of US adults named Margaret are older than 68. Most are between 26 and 88.