Margaret in Chinese
Margaret in Chinese is 玛格丽特 (Mǎ Gé Lì Tè).
- Origin
- Greek
- Meaning
- pearl
Etymologically, Margaret is Greek and is commonly glossed as "pearl". It has been in continuous US use since Social Security records begin in 1880, peaking in the 1920s. Names sharing the same root meaning include Megan, Meghan.
3 ways to write Margaret
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
玛格丽特
Mǎ Gé Lì Tè
The standard transliteration of Margaret: 玛 (mǎ, "agate"), 格 (gé, "pattern, standard"), 丽 (lì, "beautiful, elegant"), 特 (tè, "special, particular"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
Mandarin has no consonant clusters, so the 3-syllable English name is spread over 4 characters: 玛 mǎ + 格 gé + 丽 lì + 特 tè. The tone contour is 3-2-4-4 (dipping, rising, falling, falling).
Character breakdown
35 strokes total (simplified)- 玛
mǎ
Tone 3 · 7 strokes (simplified)
agate
- 格
gé
Tone 2 · 10 strokes (simplified)
pattern, standard
- 丽
lì
Tone 4 · 8 strokes (simplified)
beautiful, elegant
- 特
tè
Tone 4 · 10 strokes (simplified)
special, particular
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
Loading stroke guides…
meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
玉洁
Yù Jié
Inspired by "pearl": 玉 (yù, "jade") + 洁 (jié, "clean, pure"), expressing precious stones and steadfastness.
Why these characters?
Because Margaret is linked to "pearl", the name leads with 玉 (jade); 洁 (clean, pure) gives it a natural given-name finish.
Character breakdown
14 strokes total (simplified)- 玉
yù
Tone 4 · 5 strokes (simplified)
jade
- 洁
jié
Tone 2 · 9 strokes (simplified)
clean, pure
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
Loading stroke guides…
balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
蔓璐
Màn Lù
蔓 (màn, "creeping vine") + 璐 (lù, "beautiful jade"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
Instead of the purely phonetic 玛, this uses 蔓 (màn, "creeping vine") for the "mar" sound, then 璐 ("beautiful jade") for meaning.
Character breakdown
31 strokes total (simplified)- 蔓
màn
Tone 4 · 14 strokes (simplified)
creeping vine
- 璐
lù
Tone 4 · 17 strokes (simplified)
beautiful jade
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
Loading stroke guides…
Recent US usage of Margaret
In the Social Security Administration’s 2020–2025 snapshot, Margaret ranked 126 among names recorded for girls, with 13,477 registrations in that group across the period. These are US birth-name records, rather than search counts or a ranking of Chinese names. The period covers part of a decade; it is not a final ranking for the whole 2020s.
Compare the dated figures in the SSA’s official 2020s name table. This snapshot was checked on 2026-10-15; any historical figures on this page describe their own stated period.
Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 1,246,649 girls named Margaret since 1880, with the high point in 1921 (28,466 births) and the busiest decade being the 1920s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #102 to #132 among girls.
- Peak year
- 1921
- Peak decade
- 1920s
- First year
- 1880
- Total since 1880
- 1,246,649
More About Margaret in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Margaret offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Margaret, you'll find options that work for you.
Names with the same root meaning include Megan in Chinese, and Meghan in Chinese, which share similar origins or meanings.
If you're exploring Chinese names for girls, you might also be interested in Megan in Chinese, Meghan in Chinese, and Kylie in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Kristin in Chinese, Julie in Chinese, Mariah in Chinese, Faith in Chinese, and Makayla in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Margaret, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Margaret to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
How do you write Margaret in Chinese?
玛格丽特 (Mǎ Gé Lì Tè), or 瑪格麗特 in traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
How popular is the name Margaret?
US Social Security records show 1,246,649 girls named Margaret since 1880, with the high point in 1921 (28,466 births) and the busiest decade being the 1920s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #102 to #132 among girls.
How many strokes does 玛格丽特 have?
35 strokes in simplified form and 53 in traditional; per character: 玛 7, 格 10, 丽 8, 特 10.