"pearl"
Marguerite
Pronunciation: [ m-ahrg-er-EET ]
A French pearl with literary elegance
Meaning & Origin
"daisy flower"
The Story of Marguerite
Marguerite is the French form of Margaret, both derived from the Latin margarita meaning pearl, which itself comes from the Greek margarites. The name has been used in France since the medieval period and became associated with the daisy flower in French, where marguerite is the word for that bloom. This dual identity as both a gem and a flower gave the name a particularly elegant resonance in French culture.
Marguerite peaked in popularity in France during the early 20th century and was common among Belgian and French nobility. In the English-speaking world it gained use as a more formal, Francophile alternative to Margaret, though it has declined since the mid-20th century.
In France, Marguerite is a beloved literary name — most famously associated with Marguerite Yourcenar, the first woman elected to the Académie française. The name also carries royal French heritage through Marguerite de Valois.
Fun Facts
- Marguerite is the French word for the daisy flower
- Marguerite Yourcenar became the first woman elected to the Académie française in 1980
- The name was borne by three queens of France
Marguerite in Other Languages
Famous People Named Marguerite
Marguerite Yourcenar
Writer
1903
Belgian-born French novelist, first woman elected to the Académie française, known for Memoirs of Hadrian
Marguerite de Valois
Royalty
1553
Queen of France and Navarre, known as Queen Margot
Marguerite Gautier Fictional
Other
Tragic courtesan protagonist of Alexandre Dumas fils novel The Lady of the Camellias (1848)
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #2,404
- Total SSA Count
- 75
- Cultural Origins
- French English Belgian
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Marguerite is also used as a boy name, ranked #28343.
View Marguerite as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Marguerite
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About the Name Marguerite
Marguerite is a girl name with French, English, and Belgian origins . The name means "pearl" in Latin/Greek .
Is Marguerite a boy or girl name? Marguerite is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,404 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #28,343. Marguerite is more commonly used as a girl name.
Marguerite is currently ranked #2,404 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Marguerite has 3 syllables and is pronounced m-ahrg-er-EET, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Marguerite include Maggie, Margie, Rita, and Daisy. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Marguerite include Margaret, Margot, Margo, Margaux, Margarita . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.