Comments for the name Margaret

Well, I just want to tell you that the original meaning of the name Margaret is "bud".

Margaret means also gowan (daisy) in Greek.

In Russian small daisies are known by a name related to the name Margaret.
Margaret is my name and personally I don't like it because it is so rare and has a hard sound to it. It doesn't very femenine to me.

1940s child actress Margaret O'Brien is a famous bearer of this name.

Another famous bearer of the name is Margaret Cavendish. Not really sure how famous she is, but I had to write about her for histoy class once, so there you go.

A famous person with the name is Margaret Mitchell, who wrote Gone With the Wind.

This is not a hard name. It's my mum's name and you couldn't meet a nicer person than my mum, not one! The name Margaret is also commonly used for many members of the royal family.

I can't stand the 'grit' sound at the end of this name.

In response to the person who "can't stand the 'grit' at the end of this name," this name is not pronounced "mar-grit." It is pronounced, as this website says, "mar-gret" or "mar-ga-ret."

In response to the person (waaay up there) (and to everyone else) who posted anonymously on 6-26-06 saying that Margaret isn't pronounced with a 'grit' sound I would like to point out- Different parts of the English-speaking world pronounce things differently. I know in our local dialect here in NS, Canada Margaret is pronounced more slurred and turns out Mar-grit.

Also, my aunt's name, and I think its a good, strong name. Prefer the spelling Margarate, though. Can't stand the nickname "Peggy", but "Maggie" or "Meg" is really nice.

The Greek word ìáñãáñéôçò meaning "pearl" itself is a borrowing from the Old Persian marga-reta "bird like", originally refering to the shell which contained the pearl, which resembles the wings of a bird folded over each other! Marga is "bird" (c.f. New Persian morgh "bird") and reta was a relative suffix.

See: Ferdinand Justi "Iranisches Namenbuch" and C. Bartholomae "Altiranisches Woerterbuch".

The only information I could find for "marga" was that it was an Indo-Iranian word meaning 'meadow' and a Sanskrit word meaning 'path.' (ie. The margas of Indian philosophy) Don't know if that's useful or not, but there you are. I'd love it if the derivation came from 'bird-like' but I couldn't find any other info about that.

Margaret is the name of the eldest daughter in 'The Nanny' played by Nicholle Tom. Margaret has lots of nicknames though, like Maggie, Molly, Madge (which is hideous), Marg, Meg, etc.

Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister of the UK 1979-1990. She has nickname "The Iron Lady".

I think Margaret sounds like marmite. You either love it or hate it, in which case I hate marmite and the name Margaret.

Though the longer version of this name mightn't be the most beautiful, the pet names attached to it are SO wonderful: Greta (as in Garbo), Gretchen (bombshell name if ever there were one), and Meta (the German pet form). Plus, the meaning is so entirely gorgeous: a pearl. How anyone could dislike the name is really beyond me. :)

I find Margaret a cold, standoffish name. I don't even like the nickname Maggie.

"Margaret" is connected to "daisy", "marguerite". That is why "Margaret" could have a nameday on Palm Sunday (the Sunday before Easter) - the day of flowers and willows (the names of the other trees also have a nameday).

My name is Mary Margaret. I don't like them together but just Margaret is good. I think Margaret is a very nice classic name. (as in classic I mean like old timey)

Saint Margaret was one of Joan of Arc's voices. "Spring and Fall," a poem by Gerard Manley Hopkins, begins: "Margaret, are you grieving?"

Actress Ann Margaret is a famous bearer.

In Louisa May Alcott's Little Women, Meg (the eldest sister) is short for Margaret.

Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan was a character from "M*A*S*H".

No offense to anyone but I just don't like this name. It just seems so cold and not a nice sounding name.

Marg Helgenberger an American actress: CSI, Erin Brockovich, Bad Boys and many many more.

Meg Ryan's real name is Margaret Mary Emily Anne Hyra.

Famous bearer is Ann-Margret, spelled different.

Marlo Thomas, daughter of performer Danny Thomas and actress best known as the star of the late 60s comedy That Girl, was born Margaret Julia Thomas.

I adore this name! It's my second name (Norah Margaret is my full name) and I wish it were my only name! What do you mean it sounds like 'Marmite?'

There is always the late Princess Margaret, the Queen's younger sister, as a bearer.

I had always thought that Margaret derived from Marguerite, the French word for "daisy."

I think Margaret is a very pretty and elegant name. I do think it's old-fashioned however, the reason why people tend to think of it as cold I guess (I don't agree with them). I also like the name better when the 'ga-ret'-part is pronounced clearer, so the 'Mar'-part doesn't get all the attention.

Margaret Sanger was the woman that first stood up for birth control.

Being a Margaret myself, I'd just like to point out that funnily enough nobody has every run in fear of my 'grit' sounding name. Furthermore I'm not exactly fond of the name myself, being a teenager I feel it's fairly old fashioned. Having said this everybody more or less knows me as Mags and this is one of the best things about the name, you may not like it but at least there are a considerable number of nicknames! :)

Lovely, classic name that reminds me of Meredith.

Pretty as is, don't like most nicknames. Maggie is okay, but Marge? Ew.

Literary: name of the third Dashwood sister in Jane Austen's "Sense & Sensibility."

Other common nicknames include Mugs and Muggy.

A main character in Madeline L'Engle's "A Wrinkle in Time" is named Margaret Murray, nicknamed Meg.

Margaret Peterson Haddix is the writer of the Shadow Children book series.

I love this name. My mom is named this and she's great. I have a friend named Margaret as well. She hated her given name and decided to change it to Margaret. I also love how many nicknames you can get from Margaret. Maggie, Meg, Meggie, Margo, Marlo, Greta, Gretchen, Margot, et cetera, et cetera.

I agree there are so many nicknames you can get from Margaret. But some people do pronounce it mar-grit, as someone said they do not. People can pronounce names any way they want. Mar, Grit, Grett, Marg, Marge, Margot, Mags, Maggie, Meg. I think Sara Margaret is a pretty name. Margaret makes a nice middle name. Reminds me of Margot and Marjorie. Or marjoram the spice. Margaret reminds me of Maggie from Growing Pains! And Marg aka Catherine on CSI. Love her!

I'm not saying this is the right way to say it, but some people who live in Maine pronounce Margaret like Mah-grit. Believe me, I know.

I've thought of this name always as a energetic name.

Margaret Hale is the main character in Elizabeth Gaskell's novel "North and South."

I don't think Margaret is a "hard" sounding name! I'll admit that I'm biased (it's my mom's name), but I personally like the sound of it. I don't find it standoffish at all. Names like "Marissa" and "Melissa" sound prissy to me (it's the "iss" sound; I hate it!), but Margaret has always been to me an old-fashioned, down-to-earth sounding name. I also think the nickname Maggie is adorable, but I may be in the minority there.

I think this name is rather interesting, if not the most prettiest name in the world. I really think the nicknames for it (Maggie, Meg, Peggy, etc.) are interesting as well. I like the meaning "Pearl". I wouldn't name my daughter this, though.

A possible nickname for Margaret that isn't heard that often is Maisie. It's an old Scottish nickname for Margaret or Mairead.

In the movie The Good Shepherd, Angelina Jolie's character's name was Clover. She later changed it to Margaret.

You all are forgetting Margaret Hamilton. Only the best actress of all time.

"Ultimately from Greek margarîtçs, 'pearl,' probably of Iranian origin."

From The American Heritage Dictionary, 4th ed., under the entry for "margarite":
The Iranian word was marjan, originally meaning 'pearl,' though the modern word means 'coral'.

From A. Mingana, "On the Meaning of the Persian Word for Pearl and Coral." Man, Vol. 25, Mar., 1925 (Mar., 1925), pp. 41-42:
Marjan is also a feminine Iranian name in its own right.

One of Uranus' moons is called Margaret.

I like the name Peigi as a shortened version of Margaret. I know six lovely people called Margaret and I don't think it is a cold name at all. I wouldn't call my daughter Margaret though. I prefer Peigi.

A nice, classic sort of name. It has a lot of good nickname possibilities, although I hate Peggy.

Another one of my favorite old names. Very soft and feminine.

This name is growing on me. Of the three classic English standards with multiple nicknames (the other two being Elizabeth and Catherine/Katherine), it's the least used. I think that's part of why I'm warming up to it. And though I can't stand the more common nicknames for it, I love Greta and Maisie. It definitely has potential as a name for a future daughter of mine.

Adding to the other Margarets in the comments, it is my name too. My sister tried to use Meg as a nickname for me growing up, but it never stuck. In high school, I adopted the nickname Margie (pronounced Mar-Gee, NOT Mar-Jee). I always quickly corrected people who said Mar-Jee. It reminded me too much of Margarine.

In elementary school, I really didn't like it. But now I am grown, I really love my name. I only go by Margaret.

My only pet peeve is that people ALWAYS seem to misspell my name. I learned how to spell my name by spelling it out in the 3 syllables. Mar-gar-et.

I love Margaret! It's classic, strong, feminine - everything I could ask for in a girl's name. We're considering it for our next girl. I almost wish it were my name. :)

I adore this name and all of the nicknames, too.

Also used in Ireland.

I don't like this name. I simply don't like the sound of it, and it sounds quite old-fashioned. I can't really imagine anyone under the age of 35 going by Margaret. I also associate this name with Margaret Thatcher, and I'm not much of a fan.

I have recently fallen in love with this name but as a previous user said it is hard to imagine a young person with this name.

Twin sisters, Mary (16 ounces) and Margaret (19 ounces), are born to Mrs. Florence Stimson of Old Fletton, Great Britain. They are listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as lightest twins.

I like how versatile Margaret is when it comes to nicknames. Basically, anything can be a nickname. The vast variety means that you will always be able to find a nickname that fits regardless of personality or stage in life. My two favorites are Margot and Rita.

This is a gentle old name, like Eleanor, but I was surprised that Laura Wattenberg, author of "The Baby Name Wizard", described it as "timeless".

In Japan, daisies are called Margarets.

I don't really like this name. When my dad found out that my name (Megan) is a short form of Margaret, he'd always sing at me that old Ray Stevens song, "It's me again, Margaret. Are you naked?" Ugh.

My name is Margaret, and I am a teen so I kinda think it's old-fashioned, but my friends think it's a really nice name. And some of my older relatives have that name; so I am proud to have it!

It's a regal and historic name with numerous famous bearers - Margaret of Anjou, English actress Dame Margaret Tyzack, Margaret Thatcher.

I personally think I like Meg better.

It's either
MARR-GRET
or
MARR-GRIT
Neither are all that flattering or pretty.

I really do like the name Margaret, which is good seeing as it is my name. But I do believe that, in this day and age, it is becoming a bit less used. I guess I just want to warn people who think that some of the nicknames are rather neat that, while you will understand nicknames such as Meg and Maggie, other people just don't get it. Why so? Because of the emergence of the name Megan and Meghan into popular name culture. I must say that, as a child in second grade, being called Megan for the first half of the year was not a plesant experiance. >: So if you want to name your child Margaret and then encourage them / call them by a nickname someone could make to fit Meghan, you should be prepared for people believing that your child's real name is Meghan. Not really a bit issue, but I just thought I would warn people about how annoying it is to correct every adult you meet. But I guess this is more to do with the nicknames. ^^' Well, I've said my piece.

You don't pronounce this name "mahr-GRIT". You pronounce it "mahr-ga-RIT", but blending the "mahr" and the "ga".

Gretchen, Magali (mah-gə-LEE), Margaux/Margo/Margot, Marguerite, Megan/Meghan. So many wonderful alternatives to this overused (and often boring-sounding) name.

Margaret is my name. I used to go by the name Maggie but as I've gotten older I just go by the name Margaret. I like it because it's feminine without being prissy or girly. Also, it's a well-known name without being overly popular or anything. But, I've been called many nicknames in my elementary school years, from Marge to Margarita. But to me, Margaret is fine without nicknames!

I hate to be mean or anything, and no offense to anyone with this name, but this name, in my opinion, is just bad. It reminds me of some old grandmother/great aunt that smokes and is just plain crabby sounding. "MAHGRIT! You in for bingo tahnight?"

Margaret is not borrowed from Sanskrit, how and why could it have been? It has a known etymology in Old Iranian margha-writha, meaning Pearl. Naturally, since the Persian Gulf was the main source of Pearls up to quite recent times, it would make sense that the name was in an Iranian language too. The Old Iranian itself probably came from margha- "bird" (c.f. Persian morgh) and -writh which is a suffix denoting similarity, together meaning "bird-like" which most likely referred to the shape of the shell, being similar to wings of a bird.

This name, I believe, might have also originated in France.

Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan on M*A*S*H also has this name.

This is my middle name and I like it, it's old fashioned like my first name. Didn't like it at first but it grew on me.

I had never liked this name until I learned about the St. Margaret who escaped from the dragon (which I know wasn't a true story in the first place, but still, I find that really inspiring!), and I've loved the name ever since.
Maggie is a cute nickname, though I don't like Peggy all that much (no offense to anyone with the name).

A famous bearer is comedian Margaret Cho.

I have a deep fondness for this name, I'll admit. It's largely based on the use of it on the Decemberists' album "The Hazards of Love." Whenever I hear this name, I imagine the Margaret from the album. She's a young woman who helps an injured fawn, only to discover he's a shape-shifter. They fall in love, which angers his adoptive mother, the Queen of the forest. Her songs, sung by Becky Stark, are gorgeous, especially "Won't Want for Love (Margaret in the Taiga)."

My name is Amber Margaret. I love the combination. It's quite interesting and I've never met anyone with this pairing.
Bertha Margaret was my grandmother's name. And she hated the name Bertha, so as a little girl she began going by Margaret. I have to agree with my grandmother, Margaret is much more beautiful sounding than Bertha!
I agree with others that it's an old-fashioned name but definitely has potential as a first name.

I find Margaret to be a "classic", yet so much more interesting than Elizabeth or Katherine. I think it sounds better with three syllables, with the last two somewhat slurred together.

And I think it's funny that someone above called Margaret "boring" and "overused", then proceeded to recommend Megan, which is one of the most boring and overused names nowadays. Funny how people's opinions on names differ so much.

Margaret Whiting (born July 22, 1924, Detroit, Michigan) is a singer of American popular music who first made her reputation during the 1940s and 1950s.

My name is Margaret Mary (double first name), so I get called Margaret or Mary Margaret a lot by new teachers. I think that by itself Margaret can seem a little cold or even snobbish (although my opinion might be biased thanks to the "Dennis the Menace" character), but when you add a shorter name to it - like Mary, Alice, or Rose - it becomes a warm and beautiful name.
I also love several of the nicknames for Margaret. The one I use is Maggie (or any derivative of Maggie), but I love Maisie, Molly, Greta, and Gretel as well. I also know that Kittie makes a cute nickname for a young Margaret (I tried that name out once).
I'm not too sure about Peggy or Margie, though. My grandmother (another Margaret) goes by Peggy, and the name just never grew on me.

Margaret is such a strong and classy name. I adore the nickname Maisie.

I prefer Margo.

A wonderful name. Margaret is up there with Elizabeth in terms of flexibility.

I didn't use to like this name, and I think it was because of the annoying little girl in the Dennis the Menace cartoon. (Now I am really showing my age.) But recently the name has really grown on me. I am surprised that its peak of popularity was in the 20's, but I can well imagine it making a big comeback like some other, old fashioned names have. I like the nickname Maggie, and am also fond of some other countries' versions: Margret, Margit, Margriet.

Margaret Peterson Haddix is a great author who, among other things, wrote The Shadow Children series.

I think this a beautiful, timeless name!

I love this name! It's not very common and I find it classic and beautiful. It's my sweet, sweet mommy's name too. : )

This name has quite a regal and dignified feel, but is spoilt by the harsh sound of it.

Margaret is a classic name. I prefer it as a middle name though - something like Lila Margaret is cute. Maggie is a great nickname though!

I've never liked this name. It sounds so cold and harsh, and I don't like any of the nicknames that come with it. Maggie, Meg, Gretta, Gretchen (EW!). They're just so unattractive.

Margaret Leroy is a British author who has written books such as 'The Drowning Girl' and 'The Perfect Mother'.

Margaret Clarke (nee Crilley) (1888-1961) was a painter.

Margaret Ruth "Maggie" Gyllenhaal is an American actress.

This is disgusting. I think it is torture when you call a little girl this! Mamaaaarararrargarreet. It reminds me of a 70 year old who is stuck in marmalade...

In Alcott's Little Women, Marmee, Meg, and Daisy (Meg's daughter) are all named Margaret. I believe "Marmee" is combination of the words 'mommy' and 'Margaret'.

Margaret Kaine is an English author of books such as 'Ring of Clay' and 'Roses for Rebecca'.

Margaret of Austria (1480-1533), only daughter of Maximilian I (Holy Roman Emperor) and Mary of Burgundy. She was the Governor of the Habsburg Netherlands and raised her nephew Charles, who was later Holy Roman Emperor himself.

Margaret of England (1240-1275), daughter of King Henry III of England and his wife Eleonore of Provence. She later married the King of Scotland.

Margaret was one of the daughters of King Edward IV of England and his wife Elizabeth Woodville. She died young.

Margaret (1489-1541) was the oldest daughter of Henry VII of England and his wife Elizabeth. She was the older sister of King Henry VIII of England.

Margaret was the sixth daughter of King Edward I of England and his wife Eleanor of Castile.

Margaret was the name of one of the daughters of King Edward III of England and his wife Philippa of Hainaut.

Margaret (1598-1600) was the daughter of King James I of the UK and his wife Anne of Denmark.

Margaret is my middle name. I personally dislike the name. I asked my mom why I had this as a middle name. She told me it was a name of a relative of hers. As much as she wants me to keep it, when I turn 18, I want to get rid of Margaret altogether.

I used to hate my name growing up. I never thought it was very feminine compared to the countless Sarahs Brittanys and Jessicas in my classes. Now I absolutely LOVE it. It's rare, classy and memorable. I once had someone tell me they felt that my name was nostalgic and pretty; they were reminded of a young girl in the 60s reading a book on a park bench. Also, for practical reasons, it ages well and looks good on a resume.

My name is Margaret. I used to despise my name because it is uncommon. Now, I've learned to love the unique name Margaret for a three reasons. First, it derives from royal families. Second, just saying: "Mar-ga-ret" sounds strong and powerful. Last but not least, you can't spell Margaret without great!

I think this is a pretty name! I would honestly name one of my kids this, since I like classic names and can't stand trendy names. I pronounce it mar-gret, not mar-grit. I also like the nickname Maggie :)

This is a nice name, but however it sounds too elderly. I can only picture a 50 year old lady. I just can't picture a 6 year old with it.