Marge was named after , and loosely based on , Margaret `` Marge '' Groening , Matt Groening 's mother . Marge was named after Groening 's mother Margaret `` Marge '' Groening , who has said she bears little similarity to the character , stating , `` It 's really weird to have people think you 're a cartoon . '' Marge 's beehive hairstyle was inspired by The Bride of Frankenstein and the style that Margaret Groening wore during the 1960s , although her hair was never blue .