Girl · 4th of 9,107
Margaret
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
1,266,052
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1921
Peak Popularity Year
28,521
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Margaret stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
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.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
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
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 28,521 peak births in 1921
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Pennsylvania
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 13 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 12 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
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
Full popularity table across American generations 13 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |