Greek Origin

Margaret

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.

Margaret is a girl's name of 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.

One of the most consistently beloved names across English-speaking cultures; St. Margaret is venerated in Christianity. A perennial top-50 name for over a century.

Origin & Etymology

The name Margaret has roots in the Greek language tradition. It derives from elements meaning “Derived from the Greek margarites, meaning 'pearl,' Margaret has symbolized precious beauty and purity for nearly two millennia”.

Cultural context: One of the most consistently beloved names across English-speaking cultures; St. Margaret is venerated in Christianity. A perennial top-50 name for over a century.

As a girl's name, Margaret carries the character of its Greek heritage while remaining a distinctive and uncommon choice for parents seeking something unique.

Popularity Trend
Famous Margarets9
M

Margaret Cho

EntertainmentAmerican

Stand-up comedian, actress, LGBTQ+ activist, All American Girl

A Korean-American comedian and actress known for groundbreaking stand-up comedy addressing body image, sexuality, and identity, and for starring in the sitcom "All American Girl."

1974 – present

M

Margaret Atwood

Arts & LiteratureCanadian

Author of The Handmaid's Tale, feminist literature, speculative fiction

A Canadian author best known for her dystopian novel "The Handmaid's Tale," Atwood is celebrated for her feminist themes, lyrical prose, and exploration of power, gender, and survival in speculative fiction.

1939 – present

M

Margaret Thatcher

PoliticsBritish

First female UK Prime Minister, Conservative reformer, Cold War leader

The first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (1979-1990), known for her conservative policies, strong leadership during the Cold War, and economic reforms that transformed British society.

1925 – 2013

M

Margaret Leighton

EntertainmentBritish

Actress, Tony Award winner, Shakespeare performances

A distinguished British actress celebrated for her work in theater, film, and television, known for her elegance, dramatic intensity, and iconic roles spanning decades of entertainment.

1922 – 1976

M

Margaret Mead

ScienceAmerican

Pioneering anthropologist, cultural relativism, Coming of Age in Samoa

An influential American cultural anthropologist whose groundbreaking field studies in the South Pacific revolutionized understanding of adolescence, sexuality, and cultural differences in human societies.

1901 – 1978

M

Margaret Mitchell

Arts & LiteratureAmerican

Author of Gone with the Wind, Pulitzer Prize winner

An American novelist best known for writing "Gone with the Wind," the epic saga of the American Civil War and Reconstruction that became one of the best-selling novels of all time.

1900 – 1949

M

Margaret Sanger

HistoricalAmerican

Birth control advocate, founder of Planned Parenthood, reproductive rights pioneer

An American birth control advocate and founder of Planned Parenthood who revolutionized women's reproductive freedom and challenged the social stigma surrounding contraception in the early 20th century.

1879 – 1966

M

Margaret Fuller

Arts & LiteratureAmerican

Transcendentalist writer, feminist theorist, literary critic

An American transcendentalist writer, critic, and women's rights advocate whose seminal work "Woman in the Nineteenth Century" was foundational to feminist thought and American intellectual discourse.

1810 – 1850

M

Margaret of Anjou

HistoricalFrench

Medieval queen consort, Wars of the Roses, political power

A medieval English queen consort and political powerhouse whose influence during the Wars of the Roses shaped English royal history, known for her fierce protection of her son's claim to the throne.

1430 – 1482

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Margaret mean?

Margaret means "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.", and is of Greek origin.

Is Margaret a girl name?

Margaret is primarily used as a girl's name.

What is the origin of the name Margaret?

Margaret is of Greek origin. One of the most consistently beloved names across English-speaking cultures; St. Margaret is venerated in Christianity. A perennial top-50 name for over a century.

Quick Facts
Gender

Girl

Syllables

3

Origin

Greek

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