All About Margaret

Etymology

There is an amount of certainity pertaining to the etymology of the name. Derived from the Latin Margarita, from the Greek margaritas, ultimately of uncertain origins. Although may be derived from the Sanskrit word मञ्जरी (mañjari), most believe the name is derived from Persian language marvârid (مروارید), meaning "pearl" or "daughter of the light". It's related to the Marg from Marq/Marka, "chicken". 

In French, marguerite is the word for "Daisy", making Daisy a viable nickname for Margaret.

History

Saint Margaret is the patron saint of expectant mothers. She was a martyr of 4th century Antioch. Legend says that escaped from a dragon, often depicted in Medieval art. She was a popular saint in the Middle Ages. There are a number of other saints named Margaret as well, including a queen of Scotland and a princess of Hungary. Since then, Margaret is widely considered a Christian name.

Margaret is also a royal name. Royals include:

• Margaret of Anjou [French: Marguerite d'Anjou], married to Henry VI of England, was a principal figure of the dynastic wars, the War of the Roses. She is a constant inspiration for literature and fiction, including Shakespeare's 1st Tetrology of history plays, the 1820 opera Margherita d'Anjou, and supposedly Cersei Lannister in George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire.
• Queen Margaret of Denmark, the queen who united Denmark, Sweden, and Norway in the 14th century. The next female regent of Denmark is Margrethe II, the current queen who has ruled since 1972.
• Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, she was born Princess Margaret Rose of York in 1930 to parents the Duke of York (later George VI) and the former Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, sibling to Queen Elizabeth II. Margaret is a controversial member of the British Royal family due to her divorce, which earned her public negativity. Due to her heavy smoking, Princess Margaret had a lung operation in 1985, pneumonia in 1993, and a few strokes between 1998 to 2001. On 9 Feb. 2002, Princess Margaret passed away. To her family and friends, she was known as "Margot", a popular French diminutive of the name.

There have been several Margarets in literature. In addition to Margaret in Shakespeare's Henry VI, there is also a character named Margaret in Much Ado About Nothing and in The Merry Wives of Windsor. Margaret is also a Alexandre Dumas, fils, name in the novel La Dame aux camélias, story of love between a courtesan suffering from consumption and a bourgeoisie. 

Nicknames & Variants

Margaret hosts a wonderous number of nicknames. Everything for TV's Mad Men Peggy, girl-next-door Maggie, kitschy Madge, and continental Greta. Other nicknames include: Daisy, Maisie, Mamie, Marge, Meg, Meta, Pegan, and Rita. Margaret is also one of the most versatile names with many international variants. Celtic beauties include Mairéad, Margaid, Maighread, Mared, Marged, Margery, Megan, Mererid, and Pegeen. Their are also beautiful appelation given to us by the Slavs which include Gituska, Goska, Margaréta, and Marharyta. An inexhaustable list, any Margaret can make it her own.

Popularity

The name was first used in the 11th century and went into continued used during the Middle Ages. However, the name lost popularity from the 16th century to the 18th century. After this period, Margaret regained her status and became common again. In 1903, it was the fourth most popular name in the US, behind classics Mary, Helen, and Anna. In England and Wales, Maisie and Daisy are ahead of Margaret, placing at #22 and #30 respectively, as of 2012. Even Megan has some favor in the UK, now currently at #41. 

Not quite Elizabeth, but not quite Susannah, Margaret is a timeless classic that can be equally as quirk and invoking as any kr8tive name. She hosts numerous nicknames to truly make Margaret your own. What are your thoughts about Margaret? Are there any Margarets out there that dare to comment or advise us on the beautiful Margaret?

Picture: Mucha, Alfons. La Dame Aux Camélias. Digital image. Wikimedia Commons. N.p., 29 Jan. 2013. Web. 26 Aug. 2014.