Maggie

Pronunciation: [ m-AG-ee ]

Girl Name #299 Most Popular Rising 2 Syllables

Vintage charm meaning 'pearl' — a name with staying power

English Irish Scottish American

Vintage Playful Classic Whimsical

Meaning & Origin

"pearl"

Origin: Greek via Latin

Language: English

"child of light, precious gem"

Origin: Persian (via Greek)

Language: English

Things to Know About This Name

Strong association with Margaret Thatcher for British parents — this is politically loaded in the UK

The Story of Maggie

Maggie is a diminutive of Margaret, which comes from the Greek 'Margarites' (μαργαρίτης), meaning 'pearl' — derived from the Persian word 'murvarid.' Margaret became one of the most popular names in medieval Europe through Saint Margaret of Antioch, patron of childbirth, and Margaret of Scotland, patron saint of Scotland. Maggie, once strictly a nickname, is now used independently as a full given name.

Maggie has experienced a significant revival in the 2010s-2020s as part of the vintage-nickname trend that also boosted Millie, Nellie, and Lottie. The character Maggie Simpson (The Simpsons) kept it visible for decades, while Maggie Greene from The Walking Dead gave it a tougher image.

In Ireland and Scotland, Maggie has been a beloved folk name for centuries, appearing in countless traditional songs. 'When You and I Were Young, Maggie' (1866) is one of the most enduring folk songs in the English language, and 'Maggie May' (Rod Stewart, 1971) made it an icon of rock nostalgia.

Fun Facts

The word 'margarine' shares its root with Margaret — both come from the Greek word for pearl (from the pearlescent sheen of the fat)
Maggie Simpson has never spoken in 35+ years of The Simpsons but appeared in four short films
Saint Margaret of Antioch (also called Saint Marina) is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers — saints invoked during plagues and difficult childbirth

Maggie in Other Languages

Irish Magaidh

French Marguerite

English Maggie

Spanish Margarita

Japanese マギー

Scottish Gaelic Mairead

Famous People Named Maggie

Maggie Gyllenhaal

Actor

1977

American actress and director known for The Dark Knight and The Kindergarten Teacher

Maggie Smith

Actor

1934

British acting legend known for Downton Abbey, Harry Potter, and two Academy Awards

Maggie Simpson Fictional

Other

The silent baby daughter of Homer and Marge Simpson in the long-running animated series The Simpsons

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #299
Total SSA Count: 1,051
Cultural Origins: English Irish Scottish American
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Casual
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Common Nicknames

Mags

Pairs Well With

Maggie Rose Maggie Grace Maggie Jane Maggie Lee Maggie Mae Maggie Claire Maggie Ruth

Sibling Names

Millie Nellie Lottie Archie Teddy Charlie Josie

Also a Boy Name

Maggie is also used as a boy name, ranked #31363.

View Maggie as a boy name →

Similar Names

Hattie Mattie Sadie Mollie Ollie Millie Polly Dolly

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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Frequently Asked Questions About Maggie

What does the name Maggie mean?

"pearl" (from Greek via Latin). "child of light, precious gem" (from Persian (via Greek)). Maggie is a diminutive of Margaret, which comes from the Greek 'Margarites' (μαργαρίτης), meaning 'pearl' — derived from the Persian word 'murvarid.' Margaret became one of the most popular names in medieval Europe through Saint Margaret of Antioch, patron of childbirth, and Margaret of Scotland, patron saint of Scotland. Maggie, once strictly a nickname, is now used independently as a full given name.

What is the origin of the name Maggie?

Maggie has Greek via Latin, Persian (via Greek), English, Irish, Scottish, and American origins. In Greek via Latin, it means "pearl". In Persian (via Greek), it means "child of light, precious gem".

Is Maggie a boy or girl name?

Maggie is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #299. As a boy name, it is ranked #31363. Maggie is more commonly used as a girl name.

How do you pronounce Maggie?

Maggie is pronounced m-AG-ee.

How popular is the name Maggie?

Maggie is currently ranked #299 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Maggie?

Common nicknames for Maggie include Mags.

What are good middle names for Maggie?

Popular middle name pairings include Maggie Rose, Maggie Grace, Maggie Jane, Maggie Lee, Maggie Mae, Maggie Claire, and Maggie Ruth.

What are good sibling names for Maggie?

Names that pair well with Maggie as siblings include Millie, Nellie, Lottie, Archie, Teddy, Charlie, and Josie.

How many syllables does Maggie have?

Maggie has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Maggie a common or rare name?

Maggie is a popular name, ranked #299 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.

About the Name Maggie

Maggie is a girl name with English, Irish, Scottish, and American origins . The name means "pearl" in Greek via Latin .

Is Maggie a boy or girl name? Maggie is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #299 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #31,363. Maggie is more commonly used as a girl name.

Maggie is currently ranked #299 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Maggie has 2 syllables and is pronounced m-AG-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Maggie include Mags. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.