Names with the nickname Maggie range from the obvious Margaret to the well-why-not Marigold, with plenty of options in between.
As nicknames go, Maggie feels like a classic. It’s heard in nearly every era. It’s a little like Kate.
There’s Dame Maggie Smith and Rod Stewart’s “Maggie May.” More recently, Maggie Q and Maggie Gyllenhaal are among many actors with the name. And that’s not counting fictional Maggies, like the youngest character on The Simpsons.
Of course, Margaret might also be Daisy or Peggy or Peg or Meg or Gretchen or Gretel or – speaking of The Simpsons – even Marge.
It might work independently, of course. Since 1880, the US popularity charts list just the nickname Maggie as a top baby name, appearing in the US Top 1000 annually.
But chances are that most Maggies have a formal name waiting. With so many options, it’s tempting to pair friendly, accessible Maggie with a surprising longer version.
If that idea appeals to you, this list of Maggie names is your starting point!
MARGARET
As as Elizabeth and Katherine, timeless Margaret is the obvious formal name for Maggie. And Maggie? It’s the go-to nickname.
Originally from the Greek word for pearl – margarites – Margaret has been worn by saints and queens, writers and politicians. In any field of endeavor, there’s an accomplished Margaret, and a surprising number of them answered to Maggie – at least at some point in their lives.
MADRIGAL
Move over Harmony and Cadence! Madrigal makes for another musical name, this one from sixteenth century Italy. The term originally referred to a type of secular music. The connection to Encanto – it’s the magical family’s surname – helps, too.
MAGALI and MAGALIE
Originally an Occitan form of Magdalena, Magali/e seems like the most obvious of the names with the nickname Maggie on this list – and yet both spellings are very rare in the US.
MAGDA
Another Magdalena nickname, Magda is heard mostly in German, Polish, and other parts of eastern Europe. But in English, Magda might be the full name and Maggie the short form.
MAGDALA
A place name from the ancient world, Magdala stood on the shores of the sea of Galilee. Mary Magdalene called it home – hence her name. Magdalene has been whispered down the alley into Madeline and Madelyn, but the original place name belongs with the Maggie names. It comes from a Hebrew word meaning tower.
MAGDALENA and MAGDALENE
Heard in Poland and Spain, Sweden and Croatia, this pan-European name borrowed from Magdala is an another appealing possibility.
MAGNOLIA
A fast-rising floral, Magnolia benefits from that -lia ending and lots of nicknames, including, of course, Maggie.
MAGNILDA, MAGNHILD, and MAGNHILDE
Like your names nearly extinct? Crushed that Matilda feels mainstream? Magnilda and Magnhilde come from Germanic elements meaning “mighty” and “battle.” It has history in Scandinavia, thanks to a nineteenth century Norwegian novel by the name. While they qualify as names with the nickname Maggie, they’re probably a little hard to wear in the US today.
MAGUIRE
If girls can answer to Mackenzie and Madison, why not Maguire?
MARGARETA and MARGARITA
The pizza and the drink make Margarita challenging in English, but it is the version of the name most common in Spanish, as well as several Slavic languages.
MARGALIT
Hebrew Margalit also comes from the Greek “pearl,” making it a cousin to Margaret and a possible formal name for Maggie.
MARGANITA
In Israel, Marganita refers to a flowering plant, and so fits right in with so many botanical favorites.
MARGERY
In medieval English, most feminine names ended with a Y. Maria became Mary, Lucia transformed to Lucy, and Margaret? Margery, of course. The spelling changed to Marjorie, thanks to the herb marjoram. Now it looks like a separate name, but it could be a source for Maggie – though Margie follows more logically.
MARGOLIS
Like Maguire, Margolis is a surname name that ultimately traces its roots to margarites – pearl, just like Margaret.
MARGOT and MARGO
Ends-with-o names for girls are among the most vibrant choices in use today, and Margot is the grande dame – for many years, the only familiar choice ending with o for a daughter. Today Margot feels traditional, slightly bohemian, and terribly appealing. Few parents choose Margot to shorten it to Maggie, but the Margots themselves may choose to do so.
MARGUERITE
The French form of Margaret, elegant and rare.
MARIGOLD
Another name that’s just as vivacious and blooming as Magnolia, but even rarer, Marigold could shorten to Maggie – though Goldie and Mari might seem more obvious.
MARY AGNES and MARY AGATHA
Here’s an unexpected entry on the Maggie names list: any double name that includes a strong M and G sound, with an ‘a’ in there, too. Mary Agnes and Mary Agatha spring to mind, but possibilities abound. Mary Greta or Mae Gabrielle, maybe?
What are your favorite names with the nickname Maggie?
First published on May 24, 2013, this post was revised substantially and re-published on May 27, 2021; March 13, 2023; and May 8, 2025.
Why isnt Mahogany on this list?