Maggie is a charming and popular given name of Irish origin. It is derived from the Irish surname Magee or Maguie, which in turn comes from the Norman French word 'Mahieu', meaning 'mighty in battle'. The name has been used as both a given name and a surname for centuries.
The use of Maggie as a given name became more widespread in the 19th century, particularly among Irish immigrants in North America. It was often used as a diminutive form of Margaret or Marguerite, but it soon gained popularity as an independent name in its own right.
Maggie is also associated with several notable figures throughout history. For instance, Maggie Laird was a Scottish poet who wrote under the pseudonym 'Tannahill', while Maggie Smith is a renowned British actress known for her roles in films such as "The Lady in White" and the Harry Potter series.
In literature, Maggie is featured prominently in Charles Dickens' novel "David Copperfield", where she appears as the protagonist's childhood friend. More recently, Maggie Gilkeson was the protagonist of Cormac McCarthy's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel "The Road".
Despite its Irish roots, Maggie has been embraced by many different cultures around the world. It continues to be a popular choice for parents looking for a name that is both strong and feminine, reflecting its original meaning of 'mighty in battle'. Today, Maggie remains a beloved name that evokes warmth, familiarity, and a touch of Irish charm.
The name Maggie has been popular in the United States for over a century, with a significant number of babies being given this name each year. Between 1880 and 2023, there have been a total of 120,964 births registered as Maggie in the U.S.
From 1880 to around the late 1930s, the popularity of the name Maggie fluctuated, with periods of high and low usage. The peak years during this time were 1888 (882 births) and 1915 (1,269 births). However, by the early 1940s, the number of babies named Maggie began to decline significantly.
The lowest point in popularity for the name Maggie was in the mid-1960s, with only 175 births registered in both 1965 and 1968. This low usage continued until the late 1970s when the number of babies named Maggie started to increase once again.
From the early 1980s onwards, the name Maggie saw a resurgence in popularity, with several years having over 800 births each year. The peak of this recent period was in 2000, with 1,614 births registered as Maggie.
Although the popularity of the name Maggie has fluctuated throughout history, it remains a well-loved choice for parents in the United States, with a consistent number of babies being given this name each year.