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Margrethe as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Margrethe

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The baby name Margrethe is a Female name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced Danish IPA: /mɑˈɡʁeːdə/ — approximate English respelling: MAR-greh-tuh.

Margrethe is Danish, Norwegian in Origin.

Gender: Female
Syllables: 3.0
Origin: Danish, Norwegian
Pronunciation: Danish IPA: /mɑˈɡʁeːdə/ — approximate English respelling: MAR-greh-tuh

What is the meaning of the name Margrethe ?

The baby name Margrethe is a Female name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced Danish IPA: /mɑˈɡʁeːdə/ — approximate English respelling: MAR-greh-tuh.

Margrethe is Danish, Norwegian in Origin.

Margrethe is the Danish and Norwegian form of Margaret, from Greek Margarítēs “pearl,” ultimately of Persian origin. The name entered Scandinavia via Latin and Old French in the Middle Ages with Christian saints, especially the cult of Saint Margaret of Antioch. It has deep royal resonance: Queen Margrete I (r. 1387–1412) forged the Kalmar Union, and the modern monarch Queen Margrethe II has kept it prominent in Denmark. In Danish, the -th- reflects older spelling and is pronounced with a soft d-like sound.

Variants and cognates include Margrete (Norwegian/Danish), Margarethe (German), Margareta (Nordic/Slavic), Margarita (Spanish), Margaret (English), and Margherita (Italian). Diminutives and short forms range from Grethe, Grete, and Greta to Marit, Margit, Rita, Maggie, Meg, and Peggy. The enduring “pearl” meaning lends Margrethe a classic, luminous character with both medieval heritage and contemporary royal polish.

Margrethe has the following similar or variant Names

Famous people with the name Margrethe

Margrethe II of Denmark Royal · Born 1940 · Kingdom of Denmark Margrethe II of Denmark is the Queen of Denmark, having ascended to the throne in 1972. She is known for her artistic talents and has illustrated books, including the Danish edition of 'The Lord of the Rings'. Her reign is marked by a modernizing influence on the Danish monarchy.

Celebrity babies named Margrethe

Name Last Name(s) Mother Mother famous for Fame Level Father Father famous for Fame Level
Margrethe II of Denmark Frederik IX of Denmark musician

Margrethe – Popularity by country

Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.

Country Gender Year Rank Born of
PH 0 #110 1 5,607
Norway Girls 2025 #119 8 453
DK 0 #189 15 5,198
DK Girls 0 #207 114 7,429
NA Boys 0 #253 1 6,830
PL Girls 0 #364 1 5,096
PA Girls 0 #518 1 9,861
RU Girls 0 #522 2 11,913
CL Girls 0 #914 2 14,098
NL Girls 0 #940 16 5,933
PE Girls 0 #1,008 3 14,861
ZA Girls 0 #1,236 1 25,928

Margrethe is popular in 11 countries — most recent births per country:

Norway
CL
DK
NA
NL

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People also ask about Margrethe

Margrethe is predominantly a girl's name.
Margrethe is a 3 syllable name, pronounced Danish IPA: /mɑˈɡʁeːdə/ — approximate English respelling: MAR-greh-tuh.
Common nicknames and spelling variations include Margrete, Margarethe, Margareta, Margarita, Margaret and Marguerite.
Across languages, Margrethe has these equivalents: Margaret (English), Marguerite (French), Margarita (Spanish), Margareta (Swedish), Greta (German/Scandinavian).
Yes — Margrethe ranked #119 in Norway in 2025.
Margrethe's popularity is holding steady. It moved from #117 in 2015 to #119 in 2025 in Norway.
Yes — 1 notable people named Margrethe are in our database, including Margrethe II of Denmark (Royal).
Yes — at least 1 celebrity couple has chosen Margrethe for their child, including Frederik IX of Denmark.