Margie is a diminutive of the name Margaret, which has its origins in Latin. The full form of the name, Margaret, means "pearl" and was often given to girls born around the time of their baptism due to its religious significance.
The name Margie became popular in the United States during the early 20th century as a nickname for Margaret. It reached its peak popularity in the 1930s when it was among the top 50 baby names for girls.
Despite its diminutive nature, Margie has been used as both a nickname and a given name throughout history. Famous individuals named Margie include American actress Margie Harshman, known for her role in the television series "The Wire," and Australian rules footballer Margie Foster, who played for the Collingwood Magpies in the 1950s.
Today, Margie is still used as a given name, although it is not as popular as it once was. It remains a classic choice for parents looking for a timeless and feminine name with a touch of retro charm.
The name Margie has seen a significant decrease in popularity over the past century in the United States. Between 1880 and 1921, there were over 105,000 births registered for girls named Margie. However, starting from the 1920s, the number of babies named Margie began to decline steadily.
In the 1930s, the number of annual births with the name Margie ranged between 2,200 and 2,400. This trend continued until the 1950s when the popularity of the name started to drop more sharply. Between 1955 and 1972, there were less than 300 births per year for girls named Margie.
By the late 1970s, the name Margie had become quite uncommon, with fewer than 200 births per year. This trend has persisted into the 21st century, with only a handful of babies being named Margie each year since 2000.
In recent years, the number of annual births for girls named Margie has been between 10 and 30, indicating that while it is still used occasionally, it is no longer a popular choice for parents in the United States.