The name Peg is of Irish origin and it has a rich history and meaning behind it. It is a diminutive form of the name Margaret, which itself comes from the Latin word "margarita," meaning "pearl." Therefore, the name Peg means "pearl."
Peg was once a popular name in Ireland, particularly among the Catholic population during the Middle Ages. It was often used as a pet name or nickname for girls named Margaret. Over time, however, Peg has evolved into a given name in its own right and is now used independently of Margaret.
One notable figure associated with the name Peg is Saint Peggy (also known as Saint Margaret of Scotland). Born in Hungary in the 11th century, she was the daughter of King Edward the Exile and later became the queen consort of Malcolm III of Scotland. Saint Peggy is revered for her piety and her influence on the religious life of Scotland during her time.
In literature, Peggoty is a character from Charles Dickens' novel "David Copperfield." Although not the main protagonist, Peggoty plays an important role in the story as David's aunt and protector. This character may have contributed to the name Peg gaining further popularity in Victorian England.
Today, Peg remains a unique and charming name with a strong connection to its Irish roots and historical significance. It is often chosen by parents who want their daughter to have a classic yet distinctive name with a touch of Irish heritage. Despite its diminutive origins, Peg has proven itself capable of standing on its own as a beautiful and meaningful given name.
Based on the statistics provided, we can observe the trends and patterns of babies named Peg born annually in the United States from 1913 to 1968.
The popularity of the name Peg reached its peak during the late 1940s and early 1950s. In 1946, there were 32 births with the name Peg, making it the highest number recorded within this timeframe. This trend continued into the following years, with 26 births in 1947 and 31 births in 1948.
The late 1950s also saw a resurgence in popularity for the name Peg. In 1957, there were 43 births with this name, followed by 41 births in 1958 and 36 births in 1959.
However, towards the end of this period, we see a decline in the number of babies named Peg. Starting from 1960, the numbers gradually decrease, reaching as low as 6 births in both 1966 and 1967.
In total, over the course of these 56 years (from 1913 to 1968), there were 840 babies named Peg born in the United States. This information can provide valuable insights into the historical trends of baby naming habits during this period.