The nameMegan

Megan is a girl's name of Welsh origin, a pet form of Margaret meaning "pearl". It reached third place in England and Wales.

Meaning

Megan is a Welsh diminutive of Marged, Margaret, from the Greek margaritēs, "pearl".

Origin

Welsh.

History

Megan spread from Wales in the 1980s and 1990s, reaching third place in England and Wales and the American top 10 in 1985.

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Famous people named Megan

Popularity of the name Megan

Megan in the United States

762ndmost popular girls' name in the United States in 2024
1990peak year (20,303 births)
440,869babies named Megan in the United States since 1880
010,15220,303 18801900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in the United States. Source: Social Security Administration, names given at least 5 times a year.

Megan was most popular in the United States in the 1990s, with 160,640 births over the decade, 36% of all recorded babies named Megan. Its rise began around 1974, and it peaked in 1990. Half of all babies named Megan in the United States were born before 1991. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 425 births a year on average, against 660 in the five years before.

Megan in the United Kingdom

829thmost popular girls' name in the United Kingdom in 2025
1999peak year (7,249 births)
74,696babies named Megan in the United Kingdom since 1997
03,6257,249 200020052010201520202025
Births per year in the United Kingdom. Source: ONS, NRS and NISRA (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland), names given at least 3 times a year.

Megan was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 41,475 births over the decade, 56% of all recorded babies named Megan. Half of all babies named Megan in the United Kingdom were born before 2002. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 105 births a year on average, against 478 in the five years before.

Megan in Ireland

357thmost popular girls' name in Ireland in 2025
1997peak year (482 births)
7,630babies named Megan in Ireland since 1964
0241482 198020002020
Births per year in Ireland. Source: Central Statistics Office, names given at least 3 times a year.

Megan in France

4466thmost popular girls' name in France, latest official figures
1995peak year (245 births)
1,855babies named Megan in France since 1900
0123245 1900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in France. Source: Insee, French national statistics office, latest official figures. Rounded numbers.

Variants and related names

Sibling names for Megan

Names from the same generation as Megan, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.

For a sister

For a brother

How many people are named Megan? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz

Compare Megan with another name

Meaning, origin and popularity of Megan side by side with the name of your choice.

Megan in our baby name lists

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Megan mean?

Megan is a Welsh diminutive of Marged, Margaret, from the Greek margaritēs, "pearl".

What is the origin of the name Megan?

Welsh.

Is Megan a girl's or a boy's name?

Megan is a girl's name.

How popular is the name Megan?

In 2024, Megan was the 762nd most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 369 births.

What are the variants of the name Megan?

Variants and related names of Megan include Margaret, Meagan, Meagen, Meaghan and Meghan.

What are good sibling names for Megan?

Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Jessica, Amanda, Jennifer and Amber for a sister, Brendan, Dustin, Marc and Jakob for a brother.

Who are famous people named Megan?

Megan Rapinoe, footballer; Megan Fox, actress; Megan Thee Stallion, rapper.