Megan
Megan Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
MAY-guhn
Meaning of Megan: Megan is the Welsh diminutive of Margaret, which derives from the ancient Greek name Margarites, meaning "pearl." According to Online Etymology Dictionary, the Greek word came from Old Persian margarita (pearl), reflecting the trade in Persian Gulf pearls that reached the Mediterranean world through ancient commercial networks. The name entered Western Europe through Saint Margaret of Antioch (3rd century), whose veneration made Margaret one of the most widespread names in medieval Christian Europe.
The Welsh form Megan developed through the phonological evolution of Welsh, where the sound shifts from the English Margaret to the Welsh Marged and then to the diminutive Megan followed the distinctive patterns of the Welsh language. In Wales, Megan was a common name throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in rural Welsh-speaking communities where it carried clear national cultural identity as a distinctly Welsh form of a universal Christian name.
Megan entered American naming culture through Welsh immigration to Pennsylvania, Ohio, and other states where Welsh miners and industrial workers settled in the 19th century. The name grew in popularity through the 20th century, reaching peak American popularity in the 1980s and 1990s when it consistently ranked in the top 20 for girls. This generation of Megans is now in their 30s-40s, constituting one of the largest cohorts of any American female name from that period.
What Does Megan Mean? Origin & Etymology
According to SSA records, Megan ranked #761 for girl names in the 2024 annual count, with 369 births recorded. The name's current ranking represents a dramatic decline from its 1980s-1990s peak, when it frequently ranked in the top 10. This trajectory - from top 10 to near 800 in two decades - is among the sharper popularity curves of any American name, reflecting both the size of the peak cohort and the tendency for common generational names to be actively avoided by the next generation of parents.
Spelling variants include Meghan (the most common alternative, associated with Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex), Meagan, Meaghan (Irish spelling), and Meghann. These variants add flexibility to the name family without changing the pronunciation. Meghan Markle's marriage to Prince Harry in 2018 temporarily boosted all Megan spellings in US rankings, demonstrating the continued influence of royal naming events on American name choices.
How Popular Is Megan?
Numerology & Symbolism of Megan
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Megan – Similar Names & Alternatives
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Frequently Asked Questions about Megan
What does the name Megan mean?
The name Megan derives from Old English roots, reflecting the Anglo-Saxon naming tradition that predates the Norman Conquest. Names of this origin typically referenced personal qualities, natural features, or family lineage meaningful to early English-speaking communities.
How popular is the name Megan in the United States?
According to SSA records, Megan ranked #761 for girl names in the United States, with 369 births recorded in the most recent annual count. The name hit its highest SSA rank in 2024. It has held a consistent place in US naming statistics across multiple decades.
Where does the name Megan come from?
The name Megan comes from English. It entered English use through the linguistic and cultural channels typical of English-origin names—whether through religious texts, migration, or the prestige associated with classical learning. Today it is recognized as a girl’s name across the English-speaking world.