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Meg

Girl name · 80 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Meg: 80 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 11 births in 2002.

Meg is most often a short form of Margaret, which itself comes from the Greek margarites, meaning "pearl." In Scotland, Meg has been used as an independent given name for centuries, a friendly, no-fuss alternative to its longer parent. Famous bearers include American actress Meg Ryan, known for classic rom-coms, and British actress Meg Tilly. While no major places bear the name Meg directly, the root "margarita" appears in place names like Santa Margarita and the River Margaret in Scotland. A notable variant is Megan, the Welsh diminutive that became hugely popular in the 1980s. In Scottish folklore, Meg is also associated with the stock character of a strong-willed country woman, giving the name a down-to-earth, spirited feel.