Margaret Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Margaret has its origins in Greek, meaning 'pearl.' It evolved through various languages, including Latin and Old French, before becoming popular in Middle English. The name is associated with purity and elegance and has historical relevance through notable figures such as saints and leaders.
The name Margaret is most popular in Pennsylvania, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the G.I. Generation generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is declining in usage, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Margaret has been stalled for male in MidWest, falling for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, too falling for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, too falling for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Margaret' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 753rd out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 782nd out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1343rd out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2440th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 3989th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 16086th out of 24088 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 4th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 8th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 23rd out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 80th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 103rd out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 140th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 135th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Margaret' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Margaret"
Pronunciation
/ˈmɑːrɡərɪt/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
The name Margaret is derived from the Greek word 'margaritēs,' meaning 'pearl.' This term was later adopted into Latin as 'margarita' and Old French as 'Marguerite.'
Meaning
Pearl
Language Evolution
Margaritēs (Greek), Margarita (Latin), Marguerite (Old French), Margaret (Middle English)
Historical Usage
The name Margaret gained popularity in the Middle Ages, particularly through the influence of Saint Margaret of Antioch, who was venerated in both the Eastern and Western Christian traditions.
Variants & Derivatives
Margaret, Maggie, Meg, Greta, Marguerite, Margot
Modern Popularity & Image
Margaret remains a classic and timeless name, often associated with qualities of purity and elegance. While it has seen varying levels of popularity over the decades, it is still well-regarded and frequently used.
Famous People
Margaret Thatcher - Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Margaret Atwood - Renowned Canadian author, Margaret Mead - Influential cultural anthropologist, Margaret Cho - Acclaimed comedian and actress
Explore More Margaret Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Margaret"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Margaret"
"Margaret" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 753rd of 7545 | 1,210 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 782nd of 6773 | 1,189 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1343rd of 7552 | 634 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 2440th of 10718 | 251 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 3989th of 16616 | 202 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 16086th of 24088 | 25 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 4th of 9107 | 447,353 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 8th of 9204 | 293,340 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 23rd of 12526 | 276,548 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 80th of 19264 | 66,273 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 103rd of 27321 | 49,897 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 140th of 35406 | 37,982 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 135th of 30306 | 25,874 |
Regional Popularity of "Margaret" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
58.69% 831st/1416 |
38.36% 529th/1379 |
59.76% 1414th/2366 |
81.87% 935th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
52.20% 807th/1546 |
37.47% 583rd/1556 |
48.28% 1136th/2353 |
53.52% 828th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- |
36.79% 894th/2430 |
- |
52.76% 1464th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- |
53.89% 1877th/3483 |
- | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - |
43.67% 2268th/5194 |
- |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - |
63.95% 4677th/7313 |
- |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Margaret" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
0.35% 5th/1416 |
0.29% 4th/1379 |
0.13% 3rd/2366 |
0.35% 4th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
0.97% 15th/1546 |
0.39% 6th/1556 |
0.30% 7th/2353 |
0.71% 11th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
1.12% 25th/2227 |
0.78% 19th/2430 |
0.91% 26th/2853 |
0.97% 27th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
3.30% 97th/2937 |
1.95% 68th/3483 |
2.19% 77th/3518 |
2.55% 103rd/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
2.44% 90th/3685 |
1.94% 87th/4475 |
1.89% 98th/5194 |
2.56% 162nd/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
2.34% 107th/4582 |
1.92% 99th/5164 |
2.09% 153rd/7313 |
3.42% 255th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
2.59% 103rd/3984 |
2.67% 120th/4487 |
2.01% 137th/6822 |
3.38% 212th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Margaret"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Margaret" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.