Margaret

Margaret derives from the Latin Margarita, itself borrowed from the Greek margaritēs, meaning pearl. The name spread widely across medieval Europe through the veneration of Saint Margaret of Antioch, a popular martyr, and was further elevated by queens and noblewomen such as Margaret of Anjou and Margaret Tudor. Its long history of use has produced a rich array of related forms across languages, including Marguerite in French, Margarethe in German, Margherita in Italian, Margarita in Spanish, Mairead in Irish, Mererid in Welsh, and the familiar short forms Meg, Maggie, Peggy, and Rita.