Margo

♀ Girl

Pronounced MAR-goh /ˈmɑːr.ɡoʊ/High

Meaning: French short form of Margot, itself from Marguerite, the French form of Margaret, from Latin Margarita, from Greek margarites meaning 'pearl'; Margo is the modern English spelling of the French diminutiveHigh

In 30 seconds: Margo is a sleek French short form of Margaret meaning 'pearl.' Two crisp syllables, a Wes Anderson heroine, and a vintage revival that feels genuinely chic rather than retro.

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Origin HighFrench, Greek

MeaningFrench short form of Margot, itself from Marguerite, the French form of Margaret, from Latin Margarita, from Greek margarites meaning 'pearl'; Margo is the modern English spelling of the French diminutive

U.S. rank (2025)#559 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births540 girls (0.03% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1954

Total births (all-time)≈ 27,205

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Margo is the anglicized spelling of French Margot, a diminutive of Marguerite, the French form of Margaret. Margaret derives from Latin Margarita, from Greek margarites meaning 'pearl.' The pearl has been a symbol of purity, rarity, and feminine grace across cultures for millennia. Margot/Margo was a common French name from the medieval period onward.

Margo and Margot have been rising strongly in the United States since the 2000s, fueled by indie film associations and the broader vintage-revival movement. The Margot spelling is slightly more common but Margo is gaining ground. Both spellings together rank in the top 200 for girls. The name occupies a perfect space between old-Hollywood glamour and modern minimalism.

Did you know? Margot Tenenbaum, the enigmatic adopted daughter in Wes Anderson's The Royal Tenenbaums (2001), gave Margo/Margot an instant cool-intellectual reputation that has been driving the name's rise for over two decades.

Overall data confidence 95%

Behind the Name — Margot — etymology and French historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

MargotMargaux

Nicknames

MarMarg

Famous Bearers

★Margot Fonteyn (1919–1991)
British prima ballerina considered one of the greatest ballet dancers of the 20th century.

If you like Margo…

Margot— the French spelling of the identical name with the same pearl meaning and Wes Anderson association

Flora— shares the two-syllable vintage-revival femininity and the same bright, slightly bohemian appeal

Cleo— two-syllable vintage name with the same confident, retro-chic energy and literary associations

Inez— two-syllable vintage girls' name with the same understated French-influenced elegance

Frequently Asked

What does the name Margo mean?

Margo is a French short form of Margaret, ultimately from Greek margarites meaning 'pearl.' It carries all the elegance and purity associated with the precious gem.

How do you pronounce Margo?

It is said MAR-goh — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Margo a boy or girl name?

Margo is used almost exclusively as a girls' name.

How popular is Margo?

Margo ranks in the U.S. top 200 for girls and is rising strongly as part of the vintage-revival trend, boosted by indie film associations.