Marjorie is a feminine given name of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Scottish Gaelic name "Màrjorie", which itself originates from the Old French name "Marguerite". The name Marguerite means "daisy" or "pearl".
The name Marjorie became popular in England during the Middle Ages, due to the influence of the Norman conquerors who brought with them their own names and customs. One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Marjorie, Countess of Carrick, who was the mother of Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland.
Over time, the name Marjorie has been associated with several notable figures in literature, history, and popular culture. In Sir Walter Scott's novel "The Heart of Midlothian", the heroine is named Effie Deans, but she is also known as "Little Marjory" to her family. The name was also borne by several queens and princesses throughout European history.
Today, Marjorie continues to be a popular given name for girls in English-speaking countries. It has also inspired several variations and derivatives, such as Margery, Marguerite, Daisy, and Pearl. Despite its Scottish origins, the name Marjorie is not particularly common in Scotland today, but it remains widely recognized and beloved around the world.
The given statistics show the number of births with the name Marjorie in the United States annually from 1880 to 2023.
Looking at the data, we can observe that the popularity of the name Marjorie has varied significantly over time. In the late 19th century and early 20th century, the number of births with this name increased steadily. From a low of 16 births in 1880, it reached its peak in 1921 with 11,209 births.
However, starting from around the late 1920s and early 1930s, there was a noticeable decline in the number of babies named Marjorie. This trend continued throughout most of the 20th century until it reached an all-time low in recent years, with only 184 births recorded in 2023.
Despite this decrease in popularity, it's interesting to note that even in recent years, there are still some babies being named Marjorie. This suggests that while the name may not be as popular as it once was, it remains a choice for some parents.
In total, from 1880 to 2023, there have been 273,435 births with the name Marjorie in the United States. This demonstrates that although its popularity has waxed and waned over time, the name Marjorie continues to be a part of American naming traditions.
It's also worth noting that these statistics only reflect the number of births registered with the Social Security Administration, which may not account for all births in the U.S., especially those before 1938. Therefore, the actual total number of babies named Marjorie might be higher.
Sources:
- Social Security Administration (SSA) data on popular baby names