Megan

Pronunciation: [ m-AYG-uhn ]

Girl Name #761 Most Popular Steady 2 Syllables

A Welsh pearl of a name with timeless appeal

Welsh English American Irish

Classic Friendly Traditional Gentle

Meaning & Origin

"pearl"

Origin: Greek via Welsh

Language: Welsh

"child of light"

Origin: Welsh diminutive tradition

Language: Welsh

The Story of Megan

Megan is a Welsh pet form of Margaret, which derives from the Greek 'margarites' meaning 'pearl.' Margaret traveled from Greek through Latin into medieval Europe, becoming one of the most popular names in Christian history through Saint Margaret of Antioch. In Welsh, the diminutive became Megan — a name with centuries of use in Wales before it spread to England and eventually the world.

Megan peaked in the US in the 1990s, when it was a top-10 name. It was carried by a generation of Millennials and has since declined as those children have grown up and the name is perceived as 'Mom's name.' The 2018 royal wedding of Meghan Markle (different spelling) brought fresh attention, though with a distinct spelling. Megan Fox kept the name in pop culture throughout the 2000s.

Megan is quintessentially Welsh — Wales is the only place where it evolved naturally from Margaret. It represents the Welsh diminutive tradition (like Sion from John, Dafydd from David) and carries a strong sense of Celtic heritage. In Wales, Megan ranks among the most beloved girl names of the 20th century.

Fun Facts

Megan is the Welsh diminutive of Margaret, making it one of the few English-speaking names with an unambiguously Welsh origin
Margaret/Megan has been borne by queens, saints, and a Duchess — the name's royal connections span from St. Margaret of Scotland to Meghan, Duchess of Sussex

Megan in Other Languages

Greek Margarita

Welsh Megan

French Marguerite

German Margarete

Italian Margherita

Spanish Margarita

Famous People Named Megan

Megan Thee Stallion

Musician

1995

American rapper and performer, multiple Grammy winner and cultural phenomenon of the early 2020s

Megan Fox

Actor

1986

American actress known for the Transformers franchise and her status as a major pop culture icon of the 2000s

Meg March Fictional

Other

Eldest of the four sisters in Louisa May Alcott's beloved novel 'Little Women' (1868)

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #761
Total SSA Count: 369
Cultural Origins: Welsh English American Irish
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Common Nicknames

Meg Meggie

Pairs Well With

Megan Rose Megan Anne Megan Lynn Megan Marie Megan Elizabeth Megan Grace Megan Jane

Sibling Names

Ryan Kevin Shannon Bridget Connor Erin Patrick

Also a Boy Name

Megan is also used as a boy name, ranked #16696.

View Megan as a boy name →

Similar Names

Norman Logan Imogen Regan Jordan Meghan Tegan Raegan

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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Frequently Asked Questions About Megan

What does the name Megan mean?

"pearl" (from Greek via Welsh). "child of light" (from Welsh diminutive tradition). Megan is a Welsh pet form of Margaret, which derives from the Greek 'margarites' meaning 'pearl.' Margaret traveled from Greek through Latin into medieval Europe, becoming one of the most popular names in Christian history through Saint Margaret of Antioch. In Welsh, the diminutive became Megan — a name with centuries of use in Wales before it spread to England and eventually the world.

What is the origin of the name Megan?

Megan has Greek via Welsh, Welsh diminutive tradition, Welsh, English, American, and Irish origins. In Greek via Welsh, it means "pearl". In Welsh diminutive tradition, it means "child of light".

Is Megan a boy or girl name?

Megan is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #761. As a boy name, it is ranked #16696. Megan is more commonly used as a girl name.

How do you pronounce Megan?

Megan is pronounced m-AYG-uhn.

How popular is the name Megan?

Megan is currently ranked #761 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Megan?

Common nicknames for Megan include Meg and Meggie.

What are good middle names for Megan?

Popular middle name pairings include Megan Rose, Megan Anne, Megan Lynn, Megan Marie, Megan Elizabeth, Megan Grace, and Megan Jane.

What are good sibling names for Megan?

Names that pair well with Megan as siblings include Ryan, Kevin, Shannon, Bridget, Connor, Erin, and Patrick.

How many syllables does Megan have?

Megan has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Megan a common or rare name?

Megan is moderately common, ranked #761 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.

About the Name Megan

Megan is a girl name with Welsh, English, American, and Irish origins . The name means "pearl" in Greek via Welsh .

Is Megan a boy or girl name? Megan is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #761 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #16,696. Megan is more commonly used as a girl name.

Megan is currently ranked #761 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Megan has 2 syllables and is pronounced m-AYG-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Megan include Meg and Meggie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.