The girl's name Margaret \m(a)-rga-ret, mar-garet\ is pronounced MAR-gret. It is of Greek origin, and its meaning is "pearl". A saint's name. Historical: the name of nine queens of England, Scotland, France, and Austria. The name came into use among English speakers via Latin (as Margarita) and Old French (as Marguerite). It has been closely identified with Scotland. Marit is a Scandinavian form. Britain's Margaret Thatcher; actresses Margaret Sullavan, Marg Helgenberger; anthropologist Margaret Mead; writer Margaret Mitchell.

ORIGIN
Greek

MEANING
Pearl

A popular name from the Middle Ages that's been associated with 19 royal figures including Margaret of Anjou the wife of King Henry VI of England, Margaret Tudor the sister of Henry VIII, and Princess Margaret the younger sister of current British monarch Elizabeth II. It's also the name of nine saints and was used by Shakespeare in four plays. Margaret Thatcher, the only woman to have held the office of Prime Minister of the United Kingdom is a recent bearer. Actress Meg Ryan, born Margaret Mary Emily Hyra, uses a pet form. It was listed among the top 10 until 1939 and the top 100 until 1975.

VARIATIONS
Marius

ALTERNATIVES
Margret Margeret

NICKNAMES
Peggy Madge Megan Meg Gretchen Maggie Margie Marga Rita Greta

FAMOUS Margarets
Margaret Sullavan (actress) Margaret Mead (anthropologist) Margaret Mitchell (author) Marg Helgenberger (actress)

More Baby Name Advice, Tips And Ideas:

Click below for lists of popular baby names from other years.

2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995 | 1994 | 1993 | 1992 | 1991 | 1990 | 1980 - 1989 | 1970 - 1979 | 1960 - 1969 | 1950 - 1959 | 1940 - 1949 | 1930 - 1939 | 1920 - 1929 | 1910 - 1919 | 1900 - 1909 |