International Baby Names
International Variations of Margaret
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About this list
Margaret is among the most classic baby names, with a wide range of intriguing variations throughout the Western World. Familiar forms of Margaret such as Margot have become common independently of their mother name, although Margaret remains the most popular of all. Meghan, a variant of the Welsh name Megan, has risen in recent years thanks to Meghan Markle, Prince Harry's wife.
Along with Margot and Meghan, other international variations of Margaret in the US Top 1000 include Greta, Mae, Maggie, Maisie, Margo, and Megan. If you're looking for a rarer international option, the German Gretel, Irish Mairead, Hebrew Margalit, or Estonian Meeri are fashionable options worth exploring.
Marguerite, the French form of Margaret is also a floral name that means "daisy." Although not on this list, you could consider a daisy-related name to honor an ancestral Margaret, such as the Dutch Madelief or even Daisy itself.
Margaret is a beautiful classic name, but if you're looking for a creative update, a global variation may be right for your daughter. Look here for our entire roster of variations of Margaret from around the world.
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The names
Margot
French, diminutive of Margaret
"pearl"
Margot is suddenly a star again. After a nearly-half century absence, it hopped back on the Top 1000 list in 2013 and is on the rise. The Margot spelling is now given to three times as many baby…
Margaret
Greek
"pearl"
Margaret is derived from the French Marguerite, which in turn came from Margarita, the Latin form of the Greek Margarites. Margarites was based on the Old Persian word margārīta , meaning "pearl."…
Maisie
Scottish diminutive of Margaret, Mairead, or Mary, English, Latin, Hebrew
"pearl; bitter, beloved, drop of the seas"
Sweet and sparky, youthful yet long-established, this Scottish nickname for Margaret, Mairead, or Mary, entered the US Top 1000 back in 2014 and has been on the rise ever since, replacing the once…
Maggie
Diminutive of Margaret
"pearl"
Maggie is a cute, earthy short form that has been in style for several decades now, still sometimes used as an independent name by such parents as Jon Stewart. First used in Scotland, it got a large…
Mae
Diminutive of Mary or Margaret, Hebrew, Latin
"beloved, bitter, drop of the sea; pearl"
Mae, a sweet and springlike old-fashioned name, hadn't been on the national charts in forty years, but finally made it back in 2010. Mae is derived from May, the month name that was chosen for its…
Margo
French, diminutive of Margaret
"pearl"
Margo and Margot sound exactly the same, so why has the Margot spelling hopped back onto the Top 1000, outpacing Margo in numbers more than two to one? (Over 350 baby girls were named Margot in the…
Megan
Welsh diminutive of Margaret
"pearl"
Megan originally evolved from Meg, which itself derived as a nickname for Margaret. Margaret ultimately comes from the Greek word margarites , meaning "pearl." Megan is no longer a common nickname…
Greta
German, diminutive of Margarethe
"pearl"
Greta is an Old World name long tied to the iconic Garbo, but now synonymous with environmental activism. In the early 2000s, Greta was showing signs of a comeback, along with other Old Hollywood…
Grete
Grete is a feminine name of German origin, serving as a diminutive form of Margaret or Margareta. Derived from the Greek 'margarites' meaning 'pearl,' this name carries a sense of preciousness and…
Gretchen
German, diminutive of Margarethe
"pearl"
Like Greta, Gretchen is a German Margaret diminutive that has become an American quasi-classic, though not much used today, having dropped off the list in 2009. She was at her high point in the…
Gitta
Gitta is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. It commonly functions as a diminutive of Brigitta or Birgitta in German, Swedish, and Hungarian usage. These names derive from the Celtic…
Madge
Diminutive of Margery or Margaret
"pearl"
A super diminutive nickname name, and sometime Madonna nickname – it was how the British tabloids referred to her when she moved to London in the 1990s, which she found annoying until then husband…
Mairead
Irish, shortened fom of Mairghread, variation of Margaret
"pearl"
Pronounced MAW-rayt or ma-RAYD, Mairead is close enough to Maureen to be accepted here. The name became popular in Ireland due to admiration for the saint of that name. Peig and Peigi are its…
Mared
Welsh form of Margaret, Greek
"pearl"
Sounds like Maren, but with a surprise ending. If you're looking for a fresh way to honor Margaret, this could be it.
Grieta
Grieta is a feminine name with Germanic and Dutch origins, functioning as a diminutive form of Margaret or a variant of Greta. The ultimate root is the Greek "margarites," meaning "pearl." In Dutch…
Manci
Manci is a feminine name with Hungarian origins. It's often used as a diminutive form of Maria or Margaret (Margit in Hungarian). The name has a sweet, endearing quality typical of Hungarian…
Mamie
Diminutive of Mary or Margaret, Hebrew, Egyptian, Greek
"drop of the sea or bitter or pearl"
Mamie is back. Having finally shorn her Mamie Eisenhower bangs, this insouciant and adorable nickname name is perfect if you want a zestier way to honor a beloved aunt Mary. Meryl Streep's actress…
Gretl
Gretl is a diminutive form of Margaret, used primarily in German-speaking regions, particularly Austria and Bavaria. The name derives from the Greek 'margarites' meaning 'pearl,' with Gretl emerging…
Malgosia
Polish
"a pearl"
This name of Polish supermodel Malgosia Bela doesn't sound so bella here--has a bit of an evil witch quality.
Makelesi
Tongan variation of Margaret
"pearl"
Definitely one of the more unusual Margaret translations.