Declining since 1985, #8,362 for girls today.
Popularity of Peggy since 1880
Babies named Peggy per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1958, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Peggy's real moment was 1937.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 104 |
| 1890s | 378 |
| 1900s | 1,100 |
| 1910s | 4,323 |
| 1920s | 21,872 |
| 1930s | 56,275 |
| 1940s | 72,122 |
| 1950s | 84,293 |
| 1960s | 37,036 |
| 1970s | 10,516 |
| 1980s | 3,083 |
| 1990s | 1,003 |
| 2000s | 338 |
| 2010s | 220 |
| 2020s | 102 |
Meaning & origin
Peggy is a traditional English diminutive of Margaret, with roots in the medieval period. In the United States, Peggy enjoyed its greatest popularity in the early 20th century, reaching its peak in 1937. The name has since declined, falling sharply from its former heights. By the mid-1980s, around 1985, Peggy began a steady downward trajectory that continues today. As of 2025, it sits at rank 8362, with approximately 1 in 133,939 baby girls receiving the name. The Social Security data first recorded Peggy in 1880, making it a long-established choice that has experienced significant shifts in usage over time.
Peggy originated as a medieval English diminutive of Margaret, derived via the rhyming nickname Meggy from Meg, another short form of Margaret. The name Margaret itself comes from the Greek margaritēs, meaning 'pearl.' Peggy was widely used in the 18th century and experienced a revival in the early 20th century, peaking in popularity in the United States in the 1930s.
Where Peggy is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Peggy” around the world
Where Peggy lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
Ireland
5
babies in 2025
Sources: CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Peggy
Names that share Peggy's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Betty, Dorothy, Nancy, Sally, Joyce, Bobbi, Bobbie, Connie, Patsy, Patty, Trudy, Bobbijo, Cathie, Dodie, Dottie, Dotty, Jerri, Jerrie, Joanie, Jonni, Jonnie, Judi, Judie, Karyl, Lorrie, Maryjo, Marylee, Roseann, Tandy, Terrie, Bettylou, Bonni, Cathi, Dorie, Georgann, Joeann, Lannie, Louann, Margy, Nancie, Penney, Penni, Suzy, Bettyjean, Binnie, Bobbe, Bobi, Bobie, Bonney, Doll, Jeanann, Jobeth, Lisaann, Marysue, Maurie, Midge, Patsie, Patt, Sherrye, Su, Sueellen, Babs, Boni, Danney, Dody, Dotti, Jerie, Jil, Judyann, Margi, Marjo, Paticia, Pattye, Pennye, Shelvie, Caroljean, Loisann, Barbarajean, Bettyanne, Cathyann, Cathye, Debe, Dotsie, Jeanni, Kathyjo, Marji, Mitsy, Pasty, Patsye, Salle, Suellyn, Taffie, Terree
Brothers: Billy, Bobby, Jimmy, Johnny, Tommy, Danny, Gary, Ronnie, Barney, Denny, Dickie, Jacky, Lanny, Mickey, Nickey, Ronny, Russ, Rusty, Stan, Larrie, Mick, Roddy, Wally, Billyjoe, Bubba, Chuckie, Corky, Dicky, Dondi, Howie, Mackey, Tomy, Biff, Gordie, Kippy, Ranny, Skippy
