Margaret
Margaret: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈmɑːɡɹɪt/ · /ˈmɑːɡəɹɪt/
Meaning and origin of Margaret
Root meaning: “pearl”
- A female given name from Ancient Greek.
Etymology
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 μαργαρίτης (margarítēs, “pearl”), ultimately from an Indo-Iranian source. The same source, through folk etymology, has produced Old English meregrot (“pearl”, literally “stone or pebble of the sea”), related to Old Saxon merigrita, merigriota (“pearl”), Old High German merigrioz, equivalent to mer- + groat.
How popular is Margaret?
Since 1880, 1,264,774 girls and 3,745 boys in the U.S. have been named Margaret (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #3 in 1891. Its highest rank for boys was #392 in 1907. In 2025 it ranked #112 for girls, with 2,436 babies given the name.
Names similar to Margaret
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Greek girl names
Sibling name ideas for Margaret
Sister and brother names that share Margaret's Greek roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Margaret FAQ
What does the name Margaret mean?
Margaret traces back to a root meaning "pearl". A female given name from Ancient 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 μαργαρίτης (margarítēs, “pearl”), ultimately from an Indo-Iranian source. The same source, through folk etymology, has produced Old English meregrot (“pearl”, literally “stone or pebble of the sea”), related to Old Saxon merigrita, merigriota (“pearl”), Old High German merigrioz, equivalent to mer- + groat.
What is the origin of the name Margaret?
Margaret is listed as a name of Greek origin.
How popular is the name Margaret?
Since 1880, 1,264,774 girls and 3,745 boys in the U.S. have been named Margaret (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #3 in 1891. Its highest rank for boys was #392 in 1907. In 2025 it ranked #112 for girls, with 2,436 babies given the name.
Is Margaret a boy or girl name?
Margaret is mostly a girl name in the U.S.: 1,264,774 girls and 3,745 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.