Meaning: Its source is margaron, a Greek name meaning "Pearl."

Languages: This girl's name is used in English.

Nickname For: Margaret and Margery

Alternative Spellings: Margy and Marjie

Popularity: The name Margie ranked 267th in popularity for females of all ages in a sample of the 1990 US Census.

This name is highly rated in the 1990 U.S. Census popularity survey of all ages, but after 1960 does not appear in the state data listing the most popular baby names.

Narrative: This name came into use among English speakers by way of Latin (as Margarita) and Old French (as Marguerite). It has been closely identified with Scotland, to the point that one commentator has pronounced it ''the national Scottish female name.''

However, in the late 20th century it has been most prominently borne by Englishwoman Margaret Thatcher, the United Kingdom's first female Prime Minister.