Holding steady.
Popularity of Margaretha since 1884
Babies named Margaretha per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1912, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Margaretha's real moment was 1887.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 49 |
| 1890s | 73 |
| 1900s | 61 |
| 1910s | 108 |
| 1920s | 79 |
| 1930s | 34 |
| 1940s | 18 |
| 1950s | 24 |
| 1960s | 21 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 5 |
| 2010s | 5 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Margaretha is a classic European name that saw its greatest use in the 1880s, with a peak in 1887 when it ranked among the top names in the United States. Derived from the Greek word for pearl, it has been used across Dutch, German, and Scandinavian cultures for centuries. The name's trajectory has been stable over its recorded history, first appearing on U.S. records in 1884 and gradually declining as the 20th century progressed. Though it no longer ranks nationally, Margaretha remains a traditional choice, particularly in families with Germanic or Dutch heritage. It is borne almost exclusively by girls, and its variants like Margaret and Margarita have remained more common. The name's consistent but low usage reflects its status as a classic rather than a trendy revival.
Margaretha is a Dutch, German, and Scandinavian form of Margaret, which derives from the Greek margarites (pearl). The name was popularized across Europe by early Christian saints, including Saint Margaret of Antioch. In the Low Countries and Germany, Margaretha saw strong use from the Middle Ages through the 19th century.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Greta, Greet, Margriet, Marga, Meta
Variants: Margareta, Margaret, Marguerite, Margarita
Sibling names for Margaretha
Names that share Margaretha's style, for a brother or sister.
