Meg is a name of Greek origin, derived from the name Margaret or its variations such as Margarita and Margarida. The name Margaret is composed of two elements: "marge" which means "pearl," and "ari" which means "to shine." Therefore, Meg can be interpreted to mean "shining pearl."
The use of Meg as an independent given name began in the Middle Ages when it was used as a pet form of Margaret. It became popular during the Victorian era and has remained in use ever since.
Notably, Meg is also the nickname of one of the main characters in Shakespeare's play "Cymbeline," suggesting that the name has been used in literature for centuries. Additionally, the author Louisa May Alcott used the name Meg for one of the four March sisters in her classic novel "Little Women."
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Meg or its variants. For example, Saint Margaret of Antioch was a Christian martyr in the fourth century, and Queen Margaret I of Denmark reigned from 1375 to 1412.
In summary, Meg is a charming and historic name with a direct connection to the Greek word for pearl and the Latin word to shine. Its roots can be traced back to the Middle Ages, and it has been used in literature and by notable figures throughout history.
"The name Meg.Ann appears to have been quite popular from the mid-1940s until the late 1960s, with a peak of 196 births in 1959. However, its popularity declined sharply afterwards, with fewer than 100 births per year occurring after 1973. By 2022, only six children were named Meg.Ann at birth."