Find out how popular the first name Margaret has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Margaret by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Margaret is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 100% of people named Margaret being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 2,070 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Margaret.

The history of the first name Margaret

The name Margaret is derived from the Greek word "margarites" which means "pearl". It originated as a Greek name and was later adopted by various European cultures and languages.

The name first appeared in ancient Greek texts and literature, often used as a descriptive term for valuable and precious objects. As Christianity spread across Europe, the name gained popularity due to its association with the word "pearl" which held symbolic significance in religious teachings and texts.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Margaret can be found in the 6th century AD, when a Venetian woman named Margaret of Antioch was martyred for her Christian faith. Her story and the miraculous events associated with her life contributed to the widespread adoption of the name across Europe during the Middle Ages.

Throughout history, several notable women have borne the name Margaret. One of the most famous was Margaret of Anjou (1430-1482), the wife of King Henry VI of England, who played a prominent role in the Wars of the Roses. Another notable Margaret was Saint Margaret of Scotland (c. 1045-1093), a Catholic saint and Queen of Scotland, renowned for her piety and charitable works.

In the 12th century, Margaret of France (1157-1197), also known as Margaret of Alsace, was the Countess of Burgundy and played a significant role in the political affairs of her time. The name was also borne by Margaret Tudor (1489-1541), the eldest daughter of King Henry VII of England and the wife of King James IV of Scotland, bridging the English and Scottish royal families.

Margaret Cavendish (1623-1673) was an English writer, philosopher, and scientist, known for her extensive body of work and her pioneering contributions to the fields of natural philosophy and science fiction. Her writings and intellectual pursuits were remarkable for a woman of her time, making her a notable figure in the history of literature and science.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Margaret was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Margaret, please contact us.

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