"pearl"
Origin: Greek via Welsh
Language: English
Meghan
Pronunciation: [ m-EHG-uhn ]
Does Meghan flow with your last name?
A Celtic pearl polished to royal shine
Welsh
Irish
English
American
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Modern
Royal
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex since 2016; some may see as a polarizing celebrity association
The Story of Meghan
Meghan is a Welsh and Irish variant of Megan, itself a Welsh pet form of Margaret, from the Greek margarites meaning pearl. The journey from Greek to Welsh is a long one: Margaret traveled from Greek to Latin to Old French (Marguerite) and then developed unique Celtic forms. Megan has been used in Wales for centuries, and Meghan is the Irish-influenced variant that became popular in America.
Meghan peaked in the United States in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The name received renewed global attention when Meghan Markle married Prince Harry in 2018, a wedding watched by an estimated 29 million people in the US alone.
The name is firmly rooted in Celtic tradition. Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, became the first American to marry into the British Royal Family in over 80 years and brought the name to unprecedented global recognition, for better or worse.
Historical Record
Meghan first appeared in US Social Security records in 1952.
Over 96,398 babies have been named Meghan in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Meghan is past its peak , currently ranked #1,444 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The name Margaret, from which Megan/Meghan derives, has been borne by more saints than almost any other name in Catholic tradition
- Meghan Markle became the first American-born member of the British Royal Family in over 80 years when she married Prince Harry in 2018
Meghan in Other Languages
Irish
Meaghan
Welsh
Megan
French
Megan
Spanish
Megan
Popularity Over Time
#1,444
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1985
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Meghan
M
M
Meghan Markle
Royalty
1981
American actress turned Duchess of Sussex, wife of Prince Harry, known for advocacy on mental health, racial equity, and...
American actress turned Duchess of Sussex, wife of Prince Harry, known for advocacy on mental health, racial equity, and women's issues
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Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,444
- Total SSA Count
- 152
- Cultural Origins
- Welsh Irish English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Meg
Meggie
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Meghan
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Meghan is also used as a boy name, ranked #11650.
View Meghan as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Welsh)
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Old English origin
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Sanskrit origin
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Hebrew via Greek Anna origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Meghan
What does the name Meghan mean?
"pearl" (from Greek via Welsh). Meghan is a Welsh and Irish variant of Megan, itself a Welsh pet form of Margaret, from the Greek margarites meaning pearl. The journey from Greek to Welsh is a long one: Margaret traveled from Greek to Latin to Old French (Marguerite) and then developed unique Celtic forms. Megan has been used in Wales for centuries, and Meghan is the Irish-influenced variant that became popular in America.
What is the origin of the name Meghan?
Meghan has Greek via Welsh, Welsh, Irish, English, and American origins. In Greek via Welsh, it means "pearl".
Is Meghan a boy or girl name?
Meghan is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1444. As a boy name, it is ranked #11650. Meghan is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Meghan?
Meghan is pronounced m-EHG-uhn.
How popular is the name Meghan?
Meghan is currently ranked #1444 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Meghan?
Common nicknames for Meghan include Meg and Meggie.
What are good middle names for Meghan?
Popular middle name pairings include Meghan Rose, Meghan Grace, Meghan Anne, Meghan Louise, Meghan Kate, Meghan Claire, and Meghan Elizabeth.
What are good sibling names for Meghan?
Names that pair well with Meghan as siblings include Deirdre, Bridget, Caitlin, Rowan, Declan, Aiden, and Siobhan.
How many syllables does Meghan have?
Meghan has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Meghan a common or rare name?
Meghan is an uncommon name, ranked #1444 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Meghan?
Are there other spellings for Meghan?
Related spellings include Meghaan.
About the Name Meghan
Meghan is a girl name with Welsh, Irish, English, and American origins . The name means "pearl" in Greek via Welsh .
Is Meghan a boy or girl name? Meghan is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,444 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #11,650. Meghan is more commonly used as a girl name.
Meghan is currently ranked #1,444 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Meghan has 2 syllables and is pronounced m-EHG-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Meghan include Meg and Meggie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Meghan include Meghaan . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis