Margarethe

Margarethe is the German form of Margaret, ultimately derived from the Greek margaritēs, meaning pearl. The name passed into Latin as Margarita and spread throughout medieval Europe largely through the veneration of Saint Margaret of Antioch, a popular martyr of the early Christian church. Several European queens and noblewomen bore this form, helping it remain a fixture of German-speaking cultures for centuries. Related forms include Margareta, Marguerite, Margherita, and Greta.