Margaret

    

From Namespedia - Names Meaning and Origins

Name: Margaret

Gender: Feminine

Location: Europe

Language: English

Thematic: Unknown Thematic

Meaning: Pearl

Comments: Margaret is derived from the Greek word margarites, meaning 'pearl'. 'Peggy' is a common nickname of Margaret, but the explanations for how 'Peggy' is related to 'Margaret' are complex and highly debated. There were several saints named Margaret, including St Margaret of Antioch, who was martyred in 304, St Margaret of Scotland (11th century), St Margaret of Hungary (12th century), St Margaret of Cortona (12th century), and the English martyr St Margaret Clitherow (16th century), who is sometimes called 'the Pearl of York'. There were also several queens called Margaret, and Margaret Thatcher was the UK's first female Prime Minister. Famous novelists called Margaret include Margaret Atwood (Canadian), Margaret Drabble (English), Margaret Mitchell (American; she wrote "Gone with the Wind") and Margaret Oliphant (Scottish). There are four Shakespearean characters called Margaret.