International Variations of Margaret
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.
RELATED:
- Margot
Origin:
French, diminutive of MargaretMeaning:
"pearl"Description:
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 girls as the Margo one.
- Margaret
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"pearl"Description:
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
Origin:
Scottish diminutive of Margaret, Mairead, or Mary, English, Latin, HebrewMeaning:
"pearl; bitter, beloved, drop of the seas"Description:
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 popular Macy which peaked back in the 2000s. Game of Thrones star Maisie Williams helped propel the name back into the limelight, along with the that of her character, Arya, while singer Maisie Peters has helped keep it in the charts.
- Maggie
Origin:
Diminutive of MargaretMeaning:
"pearl"Description:
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 bump in popularity via the 1971 Rod Stewart hit song "Maggie May." Today's Maggie might just as well be short for a more adventurous name such as Magdalena or Magnolia as for the classic Margaret.Maggie Gyllenhaal was born Margaret.
- Mae
Origin:
Diminutive of Mary or Margaret, Hebrew, LatinMeaning:
"beloved, bitter, drop of the sea; pearl"Description:
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 connection to Maia, the Roman goddess of growth and motherhood.
- Margo
Origin:
French, diminutive of MargaretMeaning:
"pearl"Description:
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 most recent year, versus 150 named Margo.)
- Marjorie
Origin:
Scottish variation of Margery, diminutive of MargaretMeaning:
"pearl"Description:
Scottish Marjorie and her English twin Margery were early twentieth century favorites that date back to medieval times, when it was popular among the royals. They were at their height in the 1920s, when they were seen as more lively versions of the old standard. Marjorie was always the preferred spelling, in the Top 25 from 1920 to 1927.
- Mamie
Origin:
Diminutive of Mary or Margaret, Hebrew, Egyptian, GreekMeaning:
"drop of the sea or bitter or pearl"Description:
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 daughter, properly named Mary Willa, is called Mamie Gummer. You might think of Mamie as a sister of the stylish Maisie.
- Peggy
Origin:
Diminutive of Margaret, GreekMeaning:
"pearl"Description:
Just when we had written off Peggy as the eternal perky, pug-nosed prom-queen she projected from the 1920s into the fifties, along came Mad Men, with intriguing mid-century characters with names like Joan and Betty--and Peggy, causing a bit of a re-think. MM's proto-feminist Peggy Olson was followed by Amy Adams's strong Oscar-nominated Peggy Dodd character in The Master.
- Megan
Origin:
Welsh diminutive of MargaretMeaning:
"pearl"Description:
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 for Margaret—it is most often used as a full name. Other spellings include Meghan, Meagan, Megyn, and Meaghan.
- Greta
Origin:
German, diminutive of MargaretheMeaning:
"pearl"Description:
Greta is an Old World name long tied to the iconic Garbo, but now synonymous with environmental activism.
- Rita
Origin:
Spanish, HindiMeaning:
"pearl; truth, order"Description:
One of the glamour girl names of the Rita Hayworth 1940s, Rita was once a Top 50 name and stayed on the SSA list until 2002.
- Margarete
Origin:
German, Russian and Scandinavian variation of MargaretMeaning:
"pearl"Description:
A common name in many cultures, sometimes spelled Margarethe.
- Meaghan
Description:
Meaghan represents an alternative spelling of Megan, a Welsh feminine name derived from Margaret, meaning 'pearl.' This particular spelling variation emerged as parents sought distinctive ways to present familiar names, particularly gaining traction in the 1980s and 1990s. The additional 'a' creates a more phonetic spelling that helps maintain the traditional pronunciation. Meaghan reached its peak popularity during the era when Megan was among the top girls' names in English-speaking countries. The name combines Celtic heritage with a recognizable sound, while the spelling gives it a slightly more uncommon quality. Though less frequently used than the standard spelling, Meaghan maintains the friendly, approachable character associated with all variations of this classic name.
- Madge
Origin:
Diminutive of Margery or MargaretMeaning:
"pearl"Description:
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 Guy Ritchie said it stood for 'Your Majesty'. Madge Undersee is Katniss's best friend in The Hunger Games books.
- Margie
Origin:
Diminutive of MargeryDescription:
Prime pert-teenager name in midcentury TV shows, replaced by Maggie.
- Margarita
Origin:
Spanish, Russian, GreekMeaning:
"pearl, daisy"Description:
Margarita is an international form of Margaret that shares its meaning of "pearl", but also directly translates to "daisy" in Spanish and Greek. Despite being widely associated with the alcoholic beverage in English, it has a long history of use in Spanish, Greek and several Slavic languages — most notably being the name of the heroine of Mikhail Bulgakov's 1966 novel Master and Margarita.
- Retha
Description:
Retha is a feminine name that emerged as a shortened form of names ending in '-retha' such as Aretha or Maretha. It may also derive from the Welsh name Rheta, meaning 'ardent' or 'zealous.' In some cases, it appeared as a variant spelling of Martha. Retha gained modest popularity in the United States during the early 20th century, particularly in the 1910s and 1920s, but has since declined in usage. The name carries a vintage charm characteristic of its era, with a soft, melodic sound. While uncommon today, Retha might appeal to parents seeking a simple yet distinctive name with historical roots. Famous bearers include American gospel singer Retha Strickland and actress Retha Grey from the silent film era.
- Margarite
Description:
Margarite is a feminine name derived from the Latin word "margarita," meaning "pearl." It's a variation of Margaret, which has roots in Greek "margarites" (pearl). Throughout history, Margarite has been associated with purity and beauty, much like the precious gem itself. The name has endured across many cultures, with variations including Marguerite (French), Margarita (Spanish), and Margareta (Swedish). While less common than Margaret or Margarita in English-speaking countries today, Margarite maintains a classic, elegant appeal with a slightly exotic flair. Its popularity peaked in the early 20th century but has since become more uncommon, making it a distinctive choice for parents seeking a traditional name with historical depth.
- Markita
Description:
Markita is a feminine name that likely developed as a diminutive form of Mark or Margaret, with Spanish or Slavic influences. The '-ita' suffix in Spanish indicates a small or endearing version, giving the name an affectionate quality. With origins potentially connecting to Latin 'marcus' meaning 'warlike' or 'dedicated to Mars,' Markita transforms a traditionally masculine root into a distinctly feminine name. Though not among the most common names, Markita saw modest popularity in the United States during the 1960s and 1970s. The name has a rhythmic quality that feels both familiar and distinctive, appealing to parents seeking a name with cross-cultural resonance.
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