Marguerite

Marguerite is the French variant of the name Margarete. The first name means "the pearl" and is derived from the Latin word margarita.

What does the name Marguerite mean?

Marguerite is the French equivalent of Margarete. The name carries the meaning "the pearl," derived from the Latin margarita and the Ancient Greek margarites, which also means "pearl." The popularity of the name Margarete and its various forms, including Marguerite, can be traced back to the veneration of Saint Margaret of Antioch (circa 305), who is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers. In French, common short and pet forms include Margaux, Margot, and Mégane. Internationally recognized variants of Marguerite include Margarete (German, Nordic, Slavic), Margaret (English), Margherita (Italian), Margarida (Portuguese), and Margarita (Spanish, Russian, Bulgarian). Notable bearers of the name include the French authors Marguerite Duras (1914–1996) and Marguerite Yourcenar (1903–1987), as well as the American actress Marguerite Moreau. Interestingly, Marguerite is also the French word for "daisy," which is known in German as "kleine Margerite." Both the flower and the first name etymologically stem from the same Latin and Ancient Greek roots. The name of the flower was chosen due to the similarity of its flower head to a pearl.

Where does the name Marguerite come from?

The first name Marguerite is the French form of Margarete and traces back to the Latin word margarita, which has its origins in the Ancient Greek margarites, which in turn was borrowed from Persian.

How do you pronounce Marguerite?

The pronunciation of Marguerite is three syllables and sonically diverse. In German, the name is usually pronounced as "Mar-ge-rit" [maʁgəˈʁiːt]. The name begins with an open, calm onset that immediately conveys a sense of spaciousness. The middle syllables flow harmoniously and carry a subtle inner movement. The French sound structure gives the name an elegant and slightly distant tonal quality, while the final "t" provides a clear and controlled closure. Overall, Marguerite exudes a stylish, nuanced, and gentle sound effect that is cultivated and balanced.

When is the name day of Marguerite?

The most important name day for Marguerite is celebrated on July 20th in honor of Saint Margaret of Antioch.

Popularity

In Germany, Marguerite is a rare first name. In 2020, it ranked 4,158th on the list of the most common female baby names. The name reached its highest ranking in 1932, when it placed 132nd. Over the last ten years, Marguerite has been given as a first name about 60 times, placing it 3,465th in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 3,275th.

Nicknames & pet names

Marga / Margi / Margui / Margusch

Famous people

• Alice Marguerite Pegler (English botanist)
• Marguerite Audoux (writer from France)
• Marguerite Blume-Cardenas (German sculptor)
• Marguerite Churchill (American actress)
• Marguerite Dalvarez (English opera singer)
• Marguerite de la Motte (American actress)
• Marguerite de Morlaye (French actress)
• Marguerite de Valois (Queen of France and Navarre, Duchess of Valois)
• Marguerite Duras (writer, screenwriter, film director)
• Marguerite Gabrielle Courtot (American actress)
• Marguerite Gautier (mother of Mylène Farmer)
• Marguerite Gerard (French painter)
• Marguerite Harl (French scholar)
• Marguerite Houston (Australian rower)
• Marguerite Jacquelin (French painter)
• Marguerite Macintyre (American actress)
• Marguerite MacIntyre (actress from America)
• Marguerite Marsh (American actress)
• Marguerite Morel (French actress)
• Marguerite Piazza (opera singer from America)