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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Margaret or Margot?

39 replies

Nme8961 · 14/02/2021 20:25

Margaret is a family name that I would like to use somehow, it sounds quite old fashioned and a bit harsh to me for a baby so would definitely use a nn, my favourite is Margot. Do we go with Margaret as her formal name and just call her Margot...or do we just put Margot on the birth certificate?

My concern with Margot is that it is becoming very popular around me and I'm worried that by the time she starts school there will be loads of others in her class, so calling her Margaret gives her a choice to use other nns if Margot explodes.

But if we don't actually ever intend to call her Margaret, is it silly to make that her formal name? Will she hate having to constantly correct teachers and feel awkward because her proper name is a bit of an old lady name?

My name is a 2 syllable name that doesn't lend at all to nns so I feel like I've no insight into this...Blush

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Odile13 · 15/02/2021 19:44

I would call her Margot. It’s a nicer name, very pretty. I really wouldn’t worry about there possibly being others in the class with the same name - it’s most likely there won’t be.

JassyRadlett · 15/02/2021 19:43

I’m someone with a long (4 syllable) name on my BC and my parents used a shorter version from day 1.

As an adult I’ve been very grateful to have the choice. If there’s a family association I’d probably lean towards having Margaret on the BC.

Theworldisfullofgs · 15/02/2021 19:41

Margot and has the same nicknames as Margaret.

My teenager likes Margot too.

Serin · 15/02/2021 19:39

I like Margaret and Maggie/Mags

Margot is, (as a PP said) too close to Maggot.

Muskox · 15/02/2021 17:09

I prefer Margaret

Original poster
Nme8961 · 15/02/2021 17:07

Both seems a bit marmite but I suppose you can't please everyone!

OP posts:
VanillaAndOrange · 15/02/2021 13:44

I think I actually prefer Margaret, but Margot is a perfectly sensible "full name" if you like it.

Kokeshi123 · 15/02/2021 13:38

Margaret is growing on me. But if you don't like it, don't put it on the BC. Margot is fine. (Not "Margeaux" please, unless you want people to think her parents can't spell)

Bbq1 · 15/02/2021 12:50

Peggy is quite cute actually.

Bbq1 · 15/02/2021 12:49

Margot is a gorgeous name. Makes me think of someone sophisticated, classy and glam but also fun. I can't see the name exploding in popularity. Margaret will always be shortened to Mags, Maggie, Meg Peggy or worse, Marge! Margot is far less like likely to be shortened.

UsernameIsHarderThanBabyName · 15/02/2021 11:08

I love Margaret - seems like it’s due a revival and it has lots of nickname options

ZoyaTheDestroyer · 15/02/2021 10:59

I love Margot, and also Margit (mar-geet) which is very Scandi-cool.

VenusClapTrap · 15/02/2021 10:23

I love Marguerite and Magnolia. Margot was on my list for dd, but I’m glad I didn’t go with it in the end because although it’s beautiful and elegant, it is having a moment. I like Margaret too, but you don’t, so you shouldn’t call her that.

Firebird83 · 15/02/2021 00:45

Margaret! It definitely deserves a comeback.

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 14/02/2021 23:49

I think Margot as a given name is lovely.
Margaret gives more scope for nicknames but I always think it's a bit odd to choose a name to grow into.

So will you call her Madge, Maggie, Marg, Daisy, Meg, Meggie and so on when she's little. As long as you don't actually dislike the full moniker that's fine?

So will you take a leaf out of my husbands book, take the name that is insanely difficult to shorten and elongate it as a pet name.

If you prefer Margot, call her that. My children had 3x and 4x their names in nursery. Now, not a single other child in their year group (we did move admittedly but not due to that) . Don't obsess over whether it's popular right now, you will spend the rest of your life with your child, pick your favourite!

My brother has just christened his son with the same name as his nephew. diff spelling, slightly different intonation. A few raised eyebrows but my sister could hardly say "it's our name". Half the country was called John 40 years ago!

Nineinchnailfile · 14/02/2021 23:31

I’ve always liked Margaret. I’d go with that and see which nicknames emerge
(I like Margot and Meg best)

DeRigueurMortis · 14/02/2021 23:29

I much prefer Margaret or the french version Marguerite to Margot.

I think it's well due a revival and as pp's have said, with Margaret you have far more options with shorter versions.

partyatthepalace · 14/02/2021 23:25

Call her Margaret nn Margot, then as you say she has options.

I think Margaret is going to revive soon anyways - v elegant name actually.

coronafiona · 14/02/2021 22:26

I like Maggie and also Peggy? Isn't that a shortened version of margeret?

Witchlight · 14/02/2021 22:11

Marguerite is pretty, as is Magdalene.

littlemisslozza · 14/02/2021 22:03

I like both, but Margot more I think. I also like the spelling Margaux, and have seen that around more. Maggie is nice nickname too.

bourbonne · 14/02/2021 22:00

@Pemba

I hardly think Princess Margaret is someone that people will be naming their babies after. She was reportedly an awful person.
That's not how fashion works, though. The name Margaret has now been seen on a young, beautiful, glamorous woman (Vanessa Kirby's portrayal). It makes it possible to really imagine it on someone young, in love, growing up. Rather than your MIL or grandma or old headmistress, or Margaret Thatcher.

People don't really name babies after people*. They are inspired by fresh new ideas and perspectives (unaware that everyone else is subject to the same influences and having the same idea). As Princess Margaret was not a mass murderer, the fact of her having been a bit difficult is not going to put anyone off the name.

  • Even if they want to. How many threads do we get along the lines of "how can I honour my grandma Doreen without actually naming my daughter Doreen? Is Delilah close enough?"
Teakind · 14/02/2021 21:35

I really like Margot

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 14/02/2021 21:03

Of the 2 I'd definitely use Margaret on the BC- it may seem quite dated now but I think it will eventually make a comeback. As well as family relevance for you, it also has such a long history and I think names with less vowel sounds/stronger consonants will become popular again in time.

Margot is very trendy now - in the reverse of Margaret, I can see in 20/30 years it could sound dated (unless you have French heritage, where I think it is considered a more classic name).

The full Margaret also does seem to allow for more obvious nn choices if she ever wants something different to Margot- Greta, Maggie, Maisie, Meg, Mae, Daisy, even retro Peggy.

2021isalsorubbish · 14/02/2021 20:54

Neither