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

Popularity of Peggy by gender

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

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 24 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Peggy.

The history of the first name Peggy

The name Peggy is a diminutive form of the name Margaret, which has its origins in the Greek word "margarites," meaning pearl. The name Margaret was brought to England by the Normans in the 11th century, and it became a popular name among the English nobility.

The earliest recorded use of the name Peggy as a nickname for Margaret dates back to the late 16th century. It is believed to have originated as a pet name or diminutive form of Margaret, likely derived from the rhyming syllables "meg" or "peg."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Peggy can be found in the works of William Shakespeare. In his play "The Taming of the Shrew," written around 1592, a character named Petruchio refers to his wife, Katherina, as "Kate the cursed, Peggy the blessed."

Throughout history, there have been several notable figures who bore the name Peggy. One of the most famous was Peggy Shippen Arnold (1760-1804), the second wife of the infamous American Revolutionary War general Benedict Arnold. Her marriage to Arnold and her alleged role in his defection to the British have made her a controversial figure in American history.

Another notable Peggy was Peggy Guggenheim (1898-1979), an American art collector and socialite. She played a significant role in promoting and supporting modern art and artists, particularly in the fields of Abstract Expressionism and Surrealism.

In the realm of literature, Peggy Ashcroft (1907-1991) was a renowned British actress who won numerous accolades, including an Academy Award and a BAFTA, for her performances on stage and screen.

The name Peggy also has a connection to the world of aviation. Peggy Whitson (born 1960) is a former NASA astronaut who holds the record for the most cumulative time spent in space by a United States astronaut, with a total of 665 days in orbit.

Another notable Peggy was Peggy Noonan (born 1950), an American author, speechwriter, and political analyst. She served as a speechwriter and special assistant to former President Ronald Reagan and has authored several books on politics and culture.

These are just a few examples of the many notable individuals throughout history who have borne the name Peggy, highlighting its enduring popularity and cultural significance across various fields and eras.

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 Peggy was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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