[name_f]Margaret[/name_f] is a name I would consider using for a future daughter IF I could find the right nickname. I really like the combo of [name_f]Margaret[/name_f] [name_f]Josephine[/name_f] (both are honor names). I would love to find something other than the typical [name_f]Maggie[/name_f], [name_f]Meg[/name_f], [name_f]Pearl[/name_f], [name_f]Daisy[/name_f], [name_f]Margo[/name_f] etc
Are the following nicknames usable or too much of a stretch?
[name_f]Gemma[/name_f] is probably most appealing to me. It’s gorgeous, it reflects SO’s Italian heritage, and it’s not super popular like [name_f]Mia[/name_f]. I know it’s not intuitive but if you mix up some letters in [name_f]Margaret[/name_f], the name is there (minus one M- so technically [name_f]Gema[/name_f] is there). But, is it too much of a stretch? Would I just be better off using [name_f]Gemma[/name_f] as the full name? ([name_f]Gemma[/name_f] [name_f]Margaret[/name_f] is nice after all)
Honestly, I think they are too much. Especially [name_f]Gemma[/name_f], since G in [name_f]Gemma[/name_f] is different from g in [name_f]Margaret[/name_f]. [name_f]Mila[/name_f] is a big stretch and [name_f]Mia[/name_f] is OK. Maybe [name_f]Molly[/name_f] or [name_f]Greta[/name_f]? [name_f]Rita[/name_f] is a typical Russian nickname for Russian form [name_f]Margarita[/name_f].
If you like [name_f]Gemma[/name_f], use it as a full name.
While I think anything can be a nickname, [name_f]Gemma[/name_f] for [name_f]Margaret[/name_f] just doesn’t work for me. As PP said, the G sound is totally different. [name_f]Mia[/name_f] and [name_f]Mila[/name_f] are stretches as well but maybe work a tiny bit better. [name_f]Margaret[/name_f] has more nicknames than almost any name I can think of (maybe excepting [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f]). I think if none of the nicknames appeal to you, maybe it’s better off as a middle. If you want to use [name_f]Gemma[/name_f], then I’d go with [name_f]Gemma[/name_f] [name_f]Margaret[/name_f]. [name_f]Margaret[/name_f] [name_f]Josephine[/name_f] is gorgeous but loses some appeal with an unconnected NN.
[name_f]Maisie[/name_f] and [name_f]Mamie[/name_f] are traditional [name_f]Margaret[/name_f] nicknames, as are [name_f]Madge[/name_f], [name_f]Mae[/name_f] and [name_f]Peggy[/name_f]. I found [name_f]Meta[/name_f] as a Scandinavian short form. [name_f]Rita[/name_f] can come from the Italian form, [name_f]Margherita[/name_f], so that might help bring in the Italian side of her heritage. Or maybe an international variation of [name_f]Margaret[/name_f] would lead you to a nickname you like. I bet you could get some lovely short forms out of [name_f]Margarita[/name_f], [name_f]Margita[/name_f], [name_f]Marketa[/name_f], [name_f]Marguerite[/name_f], [name_f]Margareta[/name_f], and [name_u]Maret[/name_u].
One thing is for sure - between [name_f]Margaret[/name_f], [name_f]Josephine[/name_f], and [name_f]Gemma[/name_f], you do have some great girl names to choose from!
Thanks for the honest opinions guys! I was thinking it was too much in the first place but just wanted some second opinions. I love that Margaret honors my great grandmother but I must admit that I find it a tad stiff in its full form so a nickname would be a must in order for me to use it. I do really like the suggestions of Maret and Maisie and I actually love Greta! I will keep those in mind if I ever do have a girl and decide on using Margaret as a first, but I think it may be best as a middle name. I’m starting to totally fall for Gemma Margaret and I also love Emilia Margaret
[name_m]Even[/name_m] if you are no longer considering the name, I just wanted to throw out that I know a little [name_f]Margaret[/name_f] nn Miep, and she is the cutest thing ever.
The only one I can see making sense is [name_f]Mia[/name_f].
However, nicknames come from lots of places. If it has meaning, it can work.
I read a novel once where the [name_f]Margaret[/name_f] was called [name_u]Pen[/name_u].
[name_m]How[/name_m] about [name_f]Maya[/name_f]? [name_f]Maya[/name_f] [name_f]Angelou[/name_f]'s real name was [name_f]Marguerite[/name_f] [name_f]Ann[/name_f]. I’m a big fan of slightly unexpected nicknames. [name_f]Mae[/name_f], [name_f]Mia[/name_f], and [name_f]Mila[/name_f] also work, I think.
