Margarita is a charming and elegant name of Spanish origin, derived from the Spanish word "margarita," which means "pearl." The name is often associated with the gemstone of the same name, but its roots are actually in the world of botany.
The margarita flower, also known as the "crown-of-arms," was first described by Spanish botanist José Antonio Pavón in 1794. He named it after the Spanish word for pearl due to its lustrous appearance. The name Margarita has been used as a given name since at least the 15th century, but its popularity has waxed and waned over time.
One of the most famous historical figures with the name Margarita was Empress Maria Margarita of Austria (1784-1824), who married Emperor Joseph I of Portugal. She was known for her beauty, intelligence, and kindness, qualities that have become associated with the name Margarita over time.
Today, Margarita is still a popular name in Spanish-speaking countries, but it has also gained popularity internationally due to its timeless elegance and unique sound. Despite its botanical origins, Margarita remains strongly associated with the gemstone pearl, further enhancing its appeal as a name that evokes beauty, purity, and rarity.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Margarita has shown significant popularity fluctuations over time. The earliest years recorded (1880-1922) show a steady increase in births, with numbers ranging from 5 to 280. However, starting from 1923, there's a notable decrease in Margarita births, dropping to 255 in 1932.
The popularity of the name Margarita peaked in the late 1940s and early 1950s, with over 500 births per year during this period. The highest recorded number was 594 births in 1957. After the 1960s, the popularity of the name began to decline gradually, with fewer than 500 births per year.
In recent years (2000-2023), Margarita births have continued to decrease, with numbers as low as 88 births in 2020. Despite this decline, there has been a slight uptick in popularity since 2019, with 114 births recorded in 2023.
In total, from 1880 to 2023, the name Margarita was given to 40,003 babies.