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She’s a medieval short form derived from a name made famous by a fourth century saint – and yet, she sounds completely at home in the 21st century.
Thanks to Heather for suggesting Margot as our Baby Name of the Day.
English speakers might find the silent t at the end of Margot confusing.
Lady Gwyn says
August 7, 2011 at 7:51 PMI really like Margot. As a great Francophile, I adore that particular spelling. I am ambivalent about Margaret, and I don’t mind Maggie, but I am not fond of a lot of the other Marg-names and nicknames. Marguerite always makes me think of the mean sister on Ever After. I have Margot on my long list.
Lauren says
August 6, 2011 at 8:08 PMI love Margot, especially as a way to honor my mom Margaret, as well as several aunts and cousins. However, Margo coupled with the boyfriend’s last name ends up sounding very much like merry-go-round. Sadly, it’s out of the question!
Charlotte Vera says
August 5, 2011 at 11:27 PMLove, love, LOVE Margot! I’ve loved her ever since I had a dream that featured a Margot while a preteen. She’s basically the only ends-in-o name that I like. If the choice was entirely up to me I’d have a little girl named Margaret nicknamed Margot. Sadly, the DH does NOT like Margaret, so that option’s out.
Christina Fonseca says
August 5, 2011 at 10:31 PMLove Margot – she and Marjorie are my favorite Margaret names. I think of Margot as definitely feminine without any frills. Works great at any age.
Claire says
August 5, 2011 at 4:07 PMI’m not a fan of any of the “Marg” names, but I prefer Margaux. Call me pretentious, but there it is. And it’s awful, but whenever I hear Marguerite, I always think of this silly poem that was in a book I had when I was kid that went “Marguerite/Go wash your feet/The Board of Health’s across the street.”
appellationmountain says
August 6, 2011 at 11:09 AMI’ve never heard the wash-your-feet rhyme before, but now I can’t get it out of my head! Margaux was one of the first name I fell in love with … it isn’t nearly as outlandish as some re-spellings I’ve seen.
Sarah A says
August 5, 2011 at 1:24 PMI’m not really a fan of Margot/Margery names. I know it’s juvenile, but I can’t get the taunt “large Marge” out of my head with Marjorie/Margery. And Margot just reminds me of escargot. Now I do like Marguerite and Margrethe is lovely and breathy 🙂
Panya says
August 5, 2011 at 2:13 PMOh yeah, add Marge to my dislike list too…
appellationmountain says
August 5, 2011 at 12:39 PMThe “Go With Margot” picture is on my Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/AppMtn – I’ll have to see if I can pull it over here! Joy, it is a GREAT snapshot!
Panya says
August 5, 2011 at 11:56 AMI highly dislike Margot/Margo/Margaux. The sound is just unappealing to me. I don’t like Marg [*shudder*], Margery/Marjory, or Margie either.
Oddly though, I adore Margaret.
caroline says
August 5, 2011 at 11:44 AMOne of my favorites! We strongly considered it for Phoebe. The main problem for me is the spelling-Margo is incomplete, Margot makes me think escargot and maggot, Margaux is too pretentious. I think ultimately I would go with Margo.
Julie says
August 5, 2011 at 11:05 AMI’m not very original, but it reminds me of Maggot. I prefer Marguerite.
appellationmountain says
August 6, 2011 at 11:10 AMI think that’s why I had Margo instead of Margot on my lists for so many years – but as I was writing this, I realized that Margot had an awful lot of history. Wouldn’t help in middle school, but it appealed to me!
Sharalyn says
August 5, 2011 at 11:01 AMAll I can think of is snooty Margaux (same pronunciation) from Punky Brewster. Negative association for me!
Virginia says
August 5, 2011 at 1:04 PMHaha, me too. I also think of Margo Pike from The Baby-Sitters Club. I tend to like girls names that end in an O sound, but not Margot (or any Marg- name, really).
katybug says
August 5, 2011 at 10:12 AMJoy, I’m glad you got a picture of the billboard! I drive past it quite often and always think “I need to get a pic of that to send to Abby like I said I would” but it’s in an awkward spot.
Joy says
August 5, 2011 at 9:57 AMI really like Margot. The Margo spelling reminds me of “embargo”; it looks incomplete.
Abby, do you remember the photo I sent you of the billboard? It said “Pick Margot.”
Lola says
August 5, 2011 at 7:45 AMI like Margot, but I have to admit it reminds me of escargot. It’s just a fleeting thing but there it is!
Margery’s still my favorite Margaret form but Margot’s got verve! She feels modern and has a pretty look (despite my snail association!) I see nothing wrong with Margot (just leave me Margery)!
Lucy says
August 5, 2011 at 7:44 AMI’ve always much preferred Margot to Margaret, despite it being the name of the Margot Leadbetter from The Good Life. I think that the t does confuse with the pronunciation, but at the same time I think the name looks incomplete with out it.
Cleeeo says
August 5, 2011 at 7:10 AMMargo was the first name I loved! I was reading ‘My Family and Other Animals’ when I was about 9. She’s the sister of the main character and not exactly someone you’d name a child after but I just loved her name! I also love girls names ending in O, but I’m a bit biased 🙂