Dagmar is a female given name of Old Norse origin. It is composed of the elements 'dag', which means "day", and 'marr', meaning "famous" or "glorious". Therefore, Dagmar can be translated as "famous in daylight" or "brilliant day".
The name Dagmar has its roots in Scandinavia, where it was popular during the Middle Ages. It is believed to have been brought to Europe by the Vikings who invaded and settled in various regions of the continent.
One of the most famous bearers of this name is Dagmar of Bohemia (1890-1971), also known as Princess Daisy of Wales after she married King Edward VIII. She was born into royalty, being a daughter of the King of Bohemia and Empress Zita of Austria-Hungary. Despite her noble background, she chose to marry a commoner, Prince George VI, and became his devoted wife until his death in 1952.
Today, Dagmar remains a relatively uncommon but nonetheless charming name for girls, especially among families with Scandinavian heritage or those who appreciate unique, historic names. Its meaning "famous in daylight" could be seen as an inspiration for individuals who wish to shine brightly and make their mark on the world like Princess Daisy of Wales did throughout her life.
The name Dagmar experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over time, with its peak occurring around the late 1800s to early 1900s. During this period, it was quite popular, with totals ranging from 13 to 45 births per year between 1883 and 1923. However, beginning in the mid-1920s, there was a notable decline in its usage, with fewer than 20 births recorded annually until the late 1960s. Since then, Dagmar has remained quite uncommon, with totals consistently below 10 births per year, and often just 5 or fewer each year from the 1970s to the present day (2019).