Margaret Cho
Stand-up comedian, actress, LGBTQ+ activist, All American Girl
Margaret Cho (born 1974) is a Korean-American comedian, actress, and LGBTQ+ activist who has become an important cultural figure through her provocative, uncompromising comedy and entertainment work. Born in San Francisco, Cho began performing stand-up comedy as a teenager and quickly gained recognition for her sharp wit, physical comedy, and willingness to address topics considered taboo in mainstream entertainment. In the mid-1990s, she starred in the ABC sitcom "All American Girl," becoming the first woman of Asian descent to headline a network television show. Though the show was short-lived, Cho's subsequent stand-up career flourished, with multiple HBO specials that showcased her fearless exploration of body image, sexuality, racism, and LGBTQ+ identity. Cho has been a vocal advocate for fat acceptance, LGBTQ+ rights, and Asian-American visibility in entertainment, using her platform to challenge societal norms and inspire underrepresented communities. Beyond comedy, she has acted in films and television, produced content, and authored books about her life and philosophy. Cho's impact extends beyond entertainment into activism—she has become an iconic figure for people who feel marginalized by mainstream culture. Her career demonstrates how comedy can be a powerful vehicle for social commentary and personal authenticity, inspiring a generation of comedians to bring their full, unapologetic selves to their art.
Margaret Atwood
Author of The Handmaid's Tale, feminist literature, speculative fiction
Margaret Thatcher
First female UK Prime Minister, Conservative reformer, Cold War leader
Margaret Leighton
Actress, Tony Award winner, Shakespeare performances
Margaret Mead
Pioneering anthropologist, cultural relativism, Coming of Age in Samoa
Margaret Mitchell
Author of Gone with the Wind, Pulitzer Prize winner
Margaret Sanger
Birth control advocate, founder of Planned Parenthood, reproductive rights pioneer
Margaret Fuller
Transcendentalist writer, feminist theorist, literary critic
Margaret of Anjou
Medieval queen consort, Wars of the Roses, political power
Entertainment
American
1974
Thinking about the name
Margaret
Greek origin
“Derived from the Greek margarites, meaning 'pearl,' Margaret has symbolized precious beauty and purity for nearly two millennia. Borne by queens, saints, and literary icons, the name combines timeless elegance with remarkable staying power, offering parents a genuinely classic choice untethered to any particular era.”