Pegeen

Meaning & origin

Pegeen is an Irish diminutive that has remained exceptionally rare in the United States since its first recorded appearance in 1947. While it never cracked the top 1,000 names nationally, its most popular year was 1964, when a small but noticeable number of families chose it. The name's trajectory is stable, meaning it has seen little change in usage over the decades, and it has not experienced any revival. As a distinctly Irish name with a charming meaning of 'little pebble' or 'little rock,' Pegeen carries a sense of natural strength and affection. Its connection to the more familiar Margaret through the Irish Peig gives it an understated depth, appealing to those seeking a name with genuine Irish heritage and a gentle, earthy quality.

Pegeen is an Anglicized diminutive of the Irish name Peig, itself a Gaelic form of Peggy, which derives from Margaret. The ultimate root is the Greek margaritēs, meaning 'pearl.' However, in Irish tradition, Pegeen has been reanalyzed as a term of endearment derived from peigín, meaning 'little pebble' or 'little rock,' tying it to the Irish word for a small stone. The name first appears in U.S. records in 1947 and saw modest use, peaking in 1964. It remains a rare but distinctive Irish import.