Holding steady.
Popularity of Margaretta since 1880
Babies named Margaretta per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1915, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Margaretta's real moment was 1884.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 97 |
| 1890s | 156 |
| 1900s | 179 |
| 1910s | 444 |
| 1920s | 475 |
| 1930s | 284 |
| 1940s | 319 |
| 1950s | 246 |
| 1960s | 158 |
| 1970s | 101 |
| 1980s | 57 |
| 1990s | 14 |
| 2000s | 5 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Margaretta is a classic Victorian-era elaboration of Margaret, reflecting a 19th-century fashion for ornate, Latinate feminine names. Its peak year in the United States was 1884, during the decade of the 1880s, when it appeared in the Social Security Administration's records. The name's trajectory has been stable but very low since the mid-20th century, and it currently sees fewer than five births annually, making it a rare choice. No top states were recorded due to its scarcity. Margaretta carries a vintage charm that appeals to parents drawn to historical names, though it remains less common than its root form Margaret.
Margaretta is a Latinate feminine diminutive of Margaret, ultimately derived from the Greek 'margarites' meaning 'pearl'. The name Margaret entered English via French and Latin, and Margaretta emerged as an elaborated variant in the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly in English-speaking countries. It enjoyed modest popularity in the late 1800s, peaking in the United States in 1884.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Maggie, Margie, Greta, Meg
Variants: Margaret, Marguerite
Sibling names for Margaretta
Names that share Margaretta's style, for a brother or sister.
