Megan
MAY-guhn
Megan is a Welsh diminutive of Margaret, itself from the Greek margarites meaning “pearl.” In Welsh, the pet form Megan became an independent name by the 19th century.
The name remained largely confined to Wales until the mid-20th century. British and American parents discovered it in the 1970s, and its rise was swift and dramatic.
At its 1985 peak, Megan reached an extraordinary No. 10 with 20,012 births. By 2024 it has settled to No. 761 with 369 births, a steep but common decline for mega-popular names.
What the name Megan means
Actress Megan Fox, royals like Meghan Markle, and sitcom characters kept the name visible well past its statistical peak. The Meghan spelling gained its own following.
Two syllables—MEG-un—sound brisk and friendly. The hard G in the middle gives the name a crispness that softer alternatives like Meagan lack.
Though no longer a top-100 fixture, Megan retains a loyal base of parents who value its simplicity and Welsh heritage over trendiness.
International variants include Meghan (Irish-influenced), Mégane (French), and the original Welsh Megan. All share the same pearl-related meaning from Margaret.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Megan
Megan - similar names
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