Peg Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Peg is an English name derived from the diminutive of Margaret, which has Greek origins meaning 'pearl'. Its evolution includes forms from Old French and Middle English. The name is often associated with traits of warmth and friendliness, and it does not have biblical significance. Peg gained popularity in the 16th and 19th centuries, and today it is viewed as vintage and charming.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Peg"
Pronunciation
/pɛg/
Origin
English
Etymology
Peg is derived from the Middle English name 'Pegge', which is a diminutive form of 'Margaret'. The name Margaret itself comes from the Greek word 'margaritēs', meaning 'pearl'.
Meaning
pearl
Language Evolution
Margaret (Old French: Marguerite), Pegge (Middle English), Peg (Modern English)
Historical Usage
The name Peg became popular as a diminutive form of Margaret in the 16th century. It gained traction in English-speaking countries, especially in the 19th century.
Variants & Derivatives
Peggy, Mag, Maggie
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Peg is seen as a quaint and vintage name, often associated with a friendly and approachable personality.
Famous People
Peggy Lee, Peggy Carter, Peggy Fleming
📊 Peg Name Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Peg Name Visualizations
✨ Peg Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 43 peak births in 1957
Geographic Spread
Popular across 7 US states, with strongest presence in Ohio
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 4 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Peg"
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 "Peg"
"Peg" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 5236th of 9107 | 46 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 2407th of 9204 | 236 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 2073rd of 12526 | 531 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 12006th of 19264 | 28 |
Regional Popularity of "Peg" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Peg" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
85.64% 1324th/1546 |
- | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
53.84% 1199th/2227 |
100.00% 2430th/2430 |
- |
100.00% 2775th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Peg"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Peg" 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.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Peg" in the United States
The name Peg is most popular in Ohio, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Baby Boomers generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Peg has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Peg' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 5236th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2407th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2073rd out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 12006th out of 19264 names. Discover how the name 'Peg' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.