Margaret

Margaret derives from the Latin Margarita, itself borrowed from Greek Margarites, meaning pearl. The name spread widely across medieval Europe through the popularity of Saint Margaret of Antioch, a martyr venerated in both Eastern and Western Christianity, as well as later through queens and noblewomen such as Margaret of Anjou and Margaret, Queen of Scots. Its many cognates and variants include Marguerite in French, Margarethe in German, Margherita in Italian, Margarita in Spanish, and the Scottish diminutive Mairead, along with shortened forms such as Maggie, Meg, and Peggy.