Marigold (given name)

Marigold is an English name taken from the common name used for flowers from different genera such as Calendula or Tagetes, among others.

The flower name is derived from Mary’s gold and was used in reference to the Virgin Mary. Marigolds are often incorporated into “Mary gardens” that are planted with flowers associated with Mary.

The name came into use along with other flower and plant names that became popular for girls in English-speaking countries in the 1800s and early 1900s. It has recently increased in usage in part due to a child character on the popular TV series Downton Abbey. In 2021, 247 newborn American girls were given the name in the United States. Some 335 newborn American girls were given the name in 2022, the year it first ranked among the top 1,000 names given to girls born that year. It debuted on the popularity chart that year in 833rd position. It also ranked among the 1,000 most popular names for newborn girls in Canada, where it ranked in 948th position, with 28 births, in 2021.

Notable people

 * Marigold Churchill (1918–1921), daughter of Winston Churchill
 * Marigold Linton (born 1936), American cognitive psychologist and member of the Morongo Band of Cahuilla Mission Indians
 * Marigold Santos (born 1981), Filipino-Canadian artist
 * Marigold “Goldie” Semple (1952–2009), Canadian actress
 * Marigold Southey, (born 1928), Australian philanthropist who served as Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria from 2001 to 2006.