For all the inquisitive minds who want to know Megan name meaning or related information about the name, this post is what you’re searching for! Megan is both pretty and feminine at the same time, making it a fantastic choice for a baby girl.
Nevertheless, naming a little human being is such a significant task that it’s better not to rush. Check out Megan’s meanings, roots, histories, and other facts before choosing it for your new arrival!
An Overview Of The Name Megan
You shouldn’t skip this section if you want to take a glance at the name Megan before getting to know it from the inside out!
Meaning | “Pearl” or “strong and capable”. |
Origin | Welsh, Hebrew |
Pronunciation | /meeg-an/ /may-gan/ /meg-an/ |
Gender | Megan goes as a predominantly girl name across cultures. |
Popularity | Megan enjoyed a long run of popularity from the mid-80s to the end of the 90s. The name is still common these days, though it was pushed back to 612nd in 2021. |
Variations | Maigan, Maygan, Maygen, Meigan, Meigen, Meagan, Meagyn, Megen, Meggan, Meggen, Meghan, Megyn, etc. |
Nicknames | Meg, Mae, Eggie, Mega, Meggie, Meggy, Megs, Megsy, Mugg, Peggy, MeeMee, etc. |
Similar Names | Keagan, Madison, Maggie, Mags, Maison, Margaret, Maysen, Reagan, etc. |
Sibling Names | For Boys: Evan, Brendan, Dennis, Dylan, Logan, etc. For Girls: Emily, Bethany, Katie, Sydney, Vivienne, etc. |
Middle Names | Brooke, Isabelle, Jacqueline, Penelope, Victoria, etc. |
What Does The Name Megan Mean?
Megan is a familiar name for American parents. Yet, the name was a Welsh invention as a variation of “Margaret”.
Margaret is a name connected to various cultures. It’s a derivative of the French “Marguerite”, which, in turn, is from the Latin “Margarita” and the ancient Greek “margarítēs”. Its ultimate meaning is “pearl”.
Megan previously went as a popular pet name for “Margaret”. Yet, with time, people prefer to adopt it as a stand-alone given name. Welsh is considered the first culture to adopt Megan as an independent given name before other nations followed suit.
Besides, Megan is sometimes associated with the Hebrew word מגן (Magen), which translates to “shield”. Therefore, Megan can be interpreted as “strong and capable”.
Is Megan An Exclusively Girl Name?
Since it’s a version of the feminine name “Margaret”, Megan is widely used for baby girls. According to the Social Security Association (SSA) data, Megan rarely goes with boys. Newborn boys named Megan are too scarce to earn the name a spot in the top 1000 boy name chart.
Popularity Trends Of Megan In The US
Like many Welsh names, Megan has seen its rise and fall in the States. Before the 1950s, Megan was well under the radar of American parents. It was not until 1952 did Megan appear in the top 1000 most-chosen girl names, debuting at 844th place.
Since then, the name has been on a constant rise in popularity, entering the top 50 in 1978 and the top 20 most common names in 1984. Megan’s golden era spanned until the end of the 20th century, with its highest ranking at 10, recorded in 1994.
From 2000 onwards, its popularity started to wane. The latest statistics (recorded in 2021) show that this Welsh name was the 612th most common name for girls in America (1).
Though this ranking is an improvement compared to the previous year, it’s hard to tell that Megan will get back on its feet soon (at least for now).
Different Spelling Alternatives To Megan
With an extra “h”, Meghan is a stylish variant of Megan commonly used in Wales and England. Rachel Meghan Markle, better known as Meghan – the Duchess of Sussex – is the most famous bearer of this variation. Besides Meghan, there are also numerous spelling alternatives to Megan:
Similar Names And Nicknames For Megan
Megan once functioned as a nickname in the past. Therefore, it’s up to you to use it at home or pick out one or two nicknames from the pack below to call your little one:
For some similar options to Megan, take a look at these feminine monikers below. Whether you love the ending “-gan” or fancy M-starting name, these options might surprise you!
Sibling Names For Your Little Megan
There’s no steadfast rule when naming Megan’s siblings. You can go with the flow and choose what strikes you most at the moment. However, why not intentionally have matching names for those kids behind Megan?
For Sons
Still have no ideas for boy names that complement Megan? Here are some wonderful options to consider!
For Daughters
When naming a daughter after Megan, there are various ways to narrow down your choices. But instead of doing thorough research once or twice again, here are some solid recommendations for Megan’s sisters!
Yet, the real momentum for the name must be credited to Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, who used it for their twin daughter.
Middle Names To Go With Megan
A middle name can serve many purposes. It can be a way to honor a family’s heritage, add extra character to the first name, or help round out the sound of the whole name. Whatever your intention, you’ll find these middle names a perfect match for Megan!
How Common Is Megan In Pop Culture?
Once very common in the mid-80s throughout the 90s, Megan has made appearances in many works of art. If you’re familiar with pop culture, you might know some of these fictional Megans:
Famous People Bearing The Name Megan
People bearing the name Megan, or any of its several forms, are talented individuals. Here are some noteworthy examples of successful Megans that you might know:
FAQs
Finally, if you’re interested in Megan, here are some useful questions related to this Welsh name that you shouldn’t miss:
Megan – A Welsh Name Traveled Around The World!
Megan is undoubtedly a highly recognizable Welsh name worldwide. It’s pretty and feminine and comes with flattering interpretations. Although the use of this name has waned lately, it still packs many appealing factors to make it a strong contender on your roster.
So, what do you think about Megan? Share your thoughts with me by writing a comment. If you’re still looking for more options, browse this site for other analyses of name meanings. Last but not least, please share this article if you love it!
References
- ssa.gov. 2022. The Popularity Of A Name.
- en.wikipedia.org. 2022. Dionysus.
- britannica.com. 2022. Bethany, village, West Bank.
Helen Doanna
Editor in Chief, Educational Specialist, and Senior Content Creator
Expertise
Child Development Specialist, Child-care Coordinator, Family Support Specialist, Content Writer, Communications Specialist, Educational Consultant, STEAM Teacher
Education
1. University of Social Science and Humanity, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
2. University of Social Science and Humanity, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
3. Oregon State University, Oregan, US
Helen is an experienced educational specialist and content creator, known for her innovative approach to children’s learning. With a background in literature and child development, she composes engaging educational content for SimpleKids.net. Her work emphasizes creativity, engagement, and simplicity, aiming to make learning enjoyable and accessible for children and their families.