Margaret

Margaret derives from Latin Margarita and Greek margarites, meaning "pearl," probably borrowed ultimately from an Indo-Iranian language. Saint Margaret, the 4th-century patron of expectant mothers, was martyred at Antioch and later legends associated her with escaping from a dragon. Her medieval popularity helped spread the name throughout the Christian world, and Margaret remained especially common in English, leading the girls' rankings in England and Wales during the 1920s through 1940s before declining later in the century. Royal bearers include saints from Scotland and Hungary and Queen Margaret I of Denmark, who united Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. Other notable namesakes include writers Margaret Mitchell and Margaret Atwood, anthropologist Margaret Mead, and prime minister Margaret Thatcher.

Margaret rose from #119 to #112 for girls between 2024 and 2025. Its highest annual birth count came in 1921, with 28,468 births.