Margaretta is a name of Italian origin, derived from the Latin word "margarita," which means "pearl." The name has been used for centuries and has been associated with several notable figures throughout history.
The earliest known usage of the name Margaretta can be traced back to medieval Italy, where it was often given to girls born into noble families. One of the most famous bearers of this name is Saint Margaret of Cortona (1247-1297), an Italian tertiary Franciscan and a patron saint of single women and widows. Saint Margaretta, as she is commonly known, was renowned for her faith, piety, and miracles.
In literature, Margaretta is the heroine of "The Tale of Margaretta," a novella written by the Italian author Giovanni Boccaccio in his collection of tales known as the Decameron. This story follows Margaretta's life from birth to death, highlighting her beauty, virtue, and misfortunes.
As for its popularity throughout history, Margaretta has experienced periods of both favor and obscurity. In medieval Europe, it was quite common, but by the 17th century, its usage had declined significantly. However, in the 19th and early 20th centuries, there was a resurgence of the name, particularly in Italy and other European countries.
Today, Margaretta is not as widely used as some other names with similar meanings, such as Margarita or Margaret. Nevertheless, it remains an elegant and distinctive choice for parents looking for a unique name with a rich history.
The name Margaretta has seen a varied journey in popularity over the past century and a half in the United States. Between 1880 and 1900, there were around 460 births recorded with this unique name, peaking at 21 births in 1903. However, from 1901 onwards, the number of Margaretta births began to decline steadily.
The name's popularity reached its peak during World War I, with 76 births recorded in 1915. This could potentially be attributed to the patriotic fervor and sense of unity that swept across America during this time. However, after the war ended, the number of Margaretta births continued to decline, dropping below ten births per year for most years between 1920 and 1940.
Interestingly, there was a brief resurgence in popularity for the name Margaretta in the late 1940s and early 1950s. During this period, around 20-30 births were recorded each year. However, this uptick did not last long, as the number of Margaretta births fell sharply once again in the mid-1950s.
Since then, the name has remained relatively uncommon in the United States. Between 1960 and 2007, there were only around 340 recorded births with the name Margaretta. The most recent data available shows that there were five Margaretta births in the year 2007.
In total, over the period from 1880 to 2007, there have been 2535 births of girls named Margaretta in the United States. While this name may not be as popular today as it once was, it remains a unique and distinctive choice for parents seeking a memorable name for their daughter.