Margaret is a feminine given name, derived via French () and Latin () from () meaning "pearl". The Greek is borrowed from Persian. Margaret has been an English name since the 11th century, and remained popular throughout the Middle Ages. It became less popular between the 16th century and 18th century, but became more common again after this period, becoming the second-most popular female name in the United States in 1903. Since this time, it has become less common, but was still the ninth-most common name for women of all ages in the United States as of the 1990 census. Margaret has many diminutive forms in many different languages, including Maggie, Madge, Daisy, Margarete, Marge, Margo, Margie, Marjorie, Meg, Megan, Rita, Greta, Gretchen, and Peggy. Name variants Full name (Scottish) (Scottish) (Irish) (Irish) (Dutch), (German), (Swedish) (English) Diminutives (English) (English) (Scottish) First half (French) (Welsh) Second half (English), (German), (Italian), (Lithuanian), (Polish), (Swedish), (English), (German), (English), (Estonian), (Hungarian), (Estonian) Nobility Austria Margaret, Countess of Tyrol (1318–1369) Belgium and the Netherlands Margaret of Austria, Duchess of Savoy (1480–1530), Princess of Asturias and Duchess of Savoy by her two marriages Margaret of Parma (1522–1586), illegitimate daughter of Charles V and Johanna Maria van der Gheynst Margaret of York (1446–1503), Duchess of Burgundy and wife of Charles the Bold, Regent of France Denmark Margaret I of Denmark (1353–1412) Margrethe II of Denmark (born 1940) England and Scotland Lady Margaret Fortescue (1923–2013), one of the UK's largest private landowners Margaret Beaufort, Countess of Richmond and Derby, (1443–1509), mother of Henry VII of England and paternal grandmother of King Henry VIII of England Margaret Douglas (1515–1578), daughter of Margaret Tudor Margaret of Anjou (1430–1482), wife of King Henry VI of England Margaret Pole, born Princess Margaret of York and Clarence (1473–1541), Countess of Salisbury Margaret Tudor (1489–1541), elder sister of Henry VIII of England and great-grandmother of James I of England Princess Margaret of Connaught (1882–1920), elder daughter of Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon (1930–2002), only sibling of Queen Elizabeth II and the younger daughter of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Saint Margaret of Scotland, (), Queen of Scots France Margaret of France, Duchess of Brabant (1254–1271) Margaret of Provence (1221–1285) Margaret of Valois (1553–1615) Marguerite de Navarre (1492–1549) Hungary Margaret of Hungary (1175–1223), wife of Isaac II Angelos Byzantine Emperor Norway Margaret of Scotland (Maid of Norway) (1282–1290)