Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Margo
GirlFrench, Greek· “pearl”
- Meaning
- pearl
- Origin
- French, Greek
- Pronunciation
- MAHR-goh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #559
- US babies 2025
- 540
- Best rank
- #295 (1951)
- Peak year
- 1954
Meaning and origin of Margo
Margo is a French and Greek name that means “pearl”.
Margo is a short form of Margaret by way of the French Margot. Margaret itself comes from the Greek margarites, meaning "pearl." The French diminutive is famously associated with Marguerite de Valois, known as La Reine Margot, queen of Navarre and France. In English, Margo gained a sophisticated air in the twentieth century through the ballet star Margot Fonteyn. Today it is a chic, vintage-revival choice that feels playful and polished at once. It needs little nicknaming, though Margie is a traditional option.
Popularity over time
Margo first appears in US Social Security records in 1905. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 61 different years, starting in 1930. Its best national rank was #295 in 1951, and the most babies received it in 1954, when 715 were named Margo. In 2025, 540 babies were named Margo, and it ranked #559 nationally. That is 183% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #1,494 in 1920, #313 in 1950, #918 in 1980, #1,669 in 2000, #2,332 in 2010, and #559 in 2025. Of the 27,208 US girls named Margo since records began, 22% were born in the 1950s, its biggest decade. The 1940s come next, with 4,791 babies. Since 2010, 4,770 more have been named Margo.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Janette, Rosanne, Gayla, Luanne, and Dona.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Margo ranked highest in Rhode Island, Nebraska, and Michigan.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | #209 | 5 |
| Nebraska | #235 | 10 |
| Michigan | #279 | 32 |
| Utah | #283 | 16 |
| Missouri | #286 | 22 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Margo is usually pronounced MAHR-goh, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with M and ends in “-go”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Margot and Margaux.
Middle names for Margo
A few middle names that flow with Margo: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Margo
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Lists that include Margo
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Margo mean?
Margo is a French and Greek name that means “pearl”.
What is the origin of the name Margo?
Margo has French and Greek roots. Margo is a short form of Margaret by way of the French Margot.
Is Margo a popular name?
Yes. Margo ranked #559 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Margo a boy or girl name?
Margo is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Margo?
Margo is usually pronounced MAHR-goh. 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