Holding steady.
Popularity of Midge since 1916
Babies named Midge per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1953, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Midge's real moment was 1940.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 28 |
| 1920s | 58 |
| 1930s | 64 |
| 1940s | 209 |
| 1950s | 259 |
| 1960s | 170 |
| 1970s | 17 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
The name Midge is a diminutive that has primarily served as a nickname for Margaret, though it has also been used independently. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1916 and reached its peak popularity in 1940. Despite its mid-century charm, Midge has never been a common name, with no recorded rank in recent years. Its trajectory is stable, indicating a small but consistent number of births each year. As a short, affectionate name, Midge fits well with other vintage nicknames like Peggy or Dotty, but it has not experienced the revival seen with similar names. Its usage has remained largely unchanged, with no top states concentrated, suggesting a scattered but enduring presence.
Midge originated as a pet form of Margaret or Midge, influenced by the word 'midge', a small fly. It gained some popularity as an independent given name in the early 20th century, especially in the 1940s. The peak year was 1940, and its use has remained stable though rare since.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Midgey, Midgy
Sibling names for Midge
Names that share Midge's style, for a brother or sister.
