Margaret

Pearl.

Margaret is an English feminine name meaning “pearl”, with Greek roots carried through Latin and Old French. It has been used in English since the Middle Ages. The pearl image gives it a quiet lustre, while the consonants make the full name feel substantial rather than wispy. That combination can suit a taste for elegance with a little firmness; Maggie, an established English short form, brings a more informal note. Its English sound is often more compact than its spelling suggests. Two-syllable pronunciations include /ˈmɑːɡrət/ in British English and /ˈmɑːrɡrət/ in American English. Fuller, three-syllable forms with a weak vowel in the middle are also used. In both, the emphasis is on the first syllable and the g is hard, as in “go”. The difference is worth hearing if the exact rhythm matters to you: Margaret can have either a clipped middle or a small extra beat.

Etymology: An English form transmitted through Old French Margaret and Latin Margarita, from Greek margarites, “pearl”. The Greek word’s more remote origin is uncertain.