Meaning & History
Meggy is a medieval English diminutive of Margaret. As a pet form, it emerged in the Middle Ages when nicknames and affectionate shortenings of popular saints' names were common. The name Margaret itself derives from Latin Margarita, which came from Greek μαργαρίτης (margarites) meaning "pearl", a word likely borrowed from an Indo-Iranian language.
Historical and Cultural Context
Meggy, like other diminutive forms such as Retha, was used in medieval England as an informal variant of Margaret. It reflects the common practice of creating affectionate nicknames by adding a -y or -ie suffix. Although Meggy never achieved widespread official usage, it appears in historical records and literary works of the period. The name faded after the Middle Ages but is remembered as a charming, period-specific variant.
Notable Bearers
A notable modern bearer is Anna Myrtle Meggy (1887–1959), an Australian pianist and pedagogue. Born in Sydney, she studied under Mathilde Verne in London and performed at venues like Aeolian Hall and Bechstein Hall. She also participated in the Proms under Sir Henry Wood. Myrtle Meggy's musical career demonstrates that Meggy, while rare, has been carried into the 20th century as a surname and given name.
Variants and Related Forms
Across languages, Margaret has many cognates and diminutive forms. For instance, Margarita is the Spanish form, while Megi is a Georgian diminutive. Armenian has Margarid and Margarit, and Ukrainian uses Marharyta. Meggy stands out as a specifically medieval English diminutive.
- Meaning: Pearl (via Margaret)
- Origin: Medieval English diminutive of Margaret
- Type: Given name (feminine)
- Usage: Medieval England, rare modern revival
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Myrtle Meggy