Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Maggie
GirlEnglish, Greek· “pearl”
- Meaning
- pearl
- Origin
- English, Greek
- Pronunciation
- MAG-ee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #294
- US babies 2025
- 1,041
- Best rank
- #46 (1880)
- Peak year
- 2007
Meaning and origin of Maggie
Maggie is an English and Greek name that means “pearl”.
Maggie began as an affectionate short form of Margaret, which comes from the Greek margarites, meaning "pearl." Margaret was one of the great medieval names, carried by saints and queens, and Maggie grew up beside it as the everyday version used by family and friends. In Scotland and Ireland especially, Maggie was a familiar name in its own right, and it now stands independently on birth certificates. It has a warm, cheerful, slightly old-fashioned charm that many parents find irresistible. If you want more formality later, Margaret or Magnolia can sit on the certificate with Maggie as the name in use.
Popularity over time
Maggie has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #46 in 1880, and the most babies received it in 2007, when 1,874 were named Maggie. In 2025, 1,041 babies were named Maggie, and it ranked #294 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #172 in 1920, #383 in 1950, #463 in 1980, #198 in 2000, #225 in 2010, and #294 in 2025. Of the 123,078 US girls named Maggie since records began, 14% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 13,060 babies. Since 2010, 19,426 more have been named Maggie.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Alivia, Julianna, Jasmin, Tessa, and Cadence.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Maggie ranked highest in Arkansas, Mississippi, and Maine.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | #127 | 23 |
| Mississippi | #137 | 18 |
| Maine | #142 | 8 |
| Tennessee | #152 | 50 |
| Utah | #155 | 29 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Maggie is usually pronounced MAG-ee, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with M and ends in “-ie”.
Middle names for Maggie
A few middle names that flow with Maggie: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Maggie
Similar names
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KAL-ee
“beautiful” · Greek
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KAY-tee
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Gracie Girl
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Allie Girl
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Macie Girl
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“variant of Macy, a surname” · English
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Maisie Girl
MAY-zee
“pearl; pet form of Margaret” · Scottish
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Scottie Girl
SKAH-tee
“a Scot” · English
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Emmie Girl
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Winnie Girl
WIH-nee
“short form of Winifred or Edwina” · English
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Lists that include Maggie
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Maggie mean?
Maggie is an English and Greek name that means “pearl”.
What is the origin of the name Maggie?
Maggie has English and Greek roots. Maggie began as an affectionate short form of Margaret, which comes from the Greek margarites, meaning "pearl." Margaret was one of the great medieval names, carried by saints and queens, and Maggie grew up beside it as the everyday version used by family and friends.
Is Maggie a popular name?
Yes. Maggie ranked #294 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Maggie a boy or girl name?
Maggie is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Maggie?
Maggie is usually pronounced MAG-ee. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings