Holding steady.
Popularity of Margherita since 1892
Babies named Margherita per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1926, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Margherita's real moment was 1898.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 13 |
| 1900s | 33 |
| 1910s | 132 |
| 1920s | 187 |
| 1930s | 96 |
| 1940s | 101 |
| 1950s | 127 |
| 1960s | 154 |
| 1970s | 122 |
| 1980s | 79 |
| 1990s | 58 |
| 2000s | 26 |
| 2010s | 11 |
| 2020s | 16 |
Meaning & origin
Margherita is the Italian form of Margaret, directly tied to the Greek word for 'pearl'. The name first appeared in U.S. records in 1892 and saw its peak in 1898, when it was most commonly recorded. Despite a stable trajectory over the years, it has not reappeared in recent rankings as of 2025, making it a rare choice in modern America. The name carries strong Italian cultural resonance, famously associated with Queen Margherita of Savoy and the classic pizza that bears her name. Parents drawn to Italian heritage or seeking a less common alternative to Margaret may find Margherita an elegant option with a rich etymological history.
Margherita is the Italian form of Margaret, which ultimately derives from the Greek 'margarites' meaning 'pearl'. The name has been used in Italy since the medieval period and gained particular prominence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is closely associated with Queen Margherita of Savoy, the first queen of a unified Italy, for whom the classic pizza Margherita is named.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Maggie, Rita, Greta, Mimi
Variants: Margaret, Marguerite, Margerita
Sibling names for Margherita
Names that share Margherita's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Sofia, Giulia, Alessandra, Lucia, Francesca
Brothers: Matteo, Lorenzo, Alessandro, Marco, Giovanni
