Marjorie is a feminine given name of English origin, derived from the Latin word "Margarita," which means "pearl." The name has been popular throughout history and has been associated with several notable figures.
The earliest recorded use of the name Marjorie dates back to the 13th century in Scotland. It was the name of a daughter of King Alexander III of Scotland, who lived during the late 1200s. This historic figure is believed to have inspired Sir Walter Scott's poem "Marjorie," which tells the story of her revenge against her father's murderer.
Over time, Marjorie has become more widely used as a given name in English-speaking countries. It gained popularity in the United States during the late 1800s and early 1900s, reaching its peak in the 1920s. Today, Marjorie is still considered a classic and elegant choice for parents looking for a traditional yet distinctive name for their daughter.
In literature and popular culture, several characters named Marjorie have appeared throughout history. One notable example is Marjorie Flagg, the protagonist of Eudora Welty's short story "Why I Live at the P.O.," which won the O. Henry Award in 1941. Additionally, singer-songwriter Margo Timmins of the Indigo Girls was born as Marjorie.
Overall, Marjorie is a timeless and beautiful name with a rich history that spans centuries and cultures. Its elegant meaning and strong association with pearls make it an appealing choice for parents seeking a classic yet distinctive name for their daughter.
Based on the statistics provided for the given name Marjorie, it appears that this name was quite popular during certain periods of time in the United States.
From the early 20th century up until World War II, there were several years where more than ten babies named Marjorie were born annually. The peak year seems to be 1928 with a total of 38 births, followed closely by 1920, 1921, and 1924, each with 20 births.
Interestingly, after World War II, the popularity of the name Marjorie began to decline significantly. From 1947 onwards, there were only eight years where more than five babies named Marjorie were born annually. This indicates that while once popular, the name Marjorie became much less common over time.
In total, according to the statistics provided, there have been 594 births of girls named Marjorie in the United States since 1908. Despite its decline in popularity, this number shows that Marjorie has remained a name with some enduring appeal throughout American history.