Reagan

Pronunciation: [ r-AYG-uhn ]

Boy Name #1,573 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

An Irish 'little king' made iconic by the American presidency

Irish American

Strong Bold Classic Modern Traditional

Meaning & Origin

"impulsive, little king"

Origin: Irish Gaelic

Language: Irish

"descendant of Riagán"

Origin: Irish

Language: English

Things to Know About This Name

Strongly associated with President Ronald Reagan — parents with strongly negative views of Reagan-era politics may wish to consider this

The Story of Reagan

Reagan is an anglicization of the Irish surname Ó Ríagáin, derived from the Old Irish 'ríagán' meaning 'impulsive' or possibly from 'rí' (king) with a diminutive, giving 'little king.' It was primarily an Irish surname before transitioning to use as a given name. In the United States, its use as a given name accelerated after the presidency of Ronald Reagan, giving it a distinctly American political resonance.

Reagan as a given name surged in the United States in the 1990s and 2000s — initially more common for girls, but increasingly used for boys as well. Parents who admired Ronald Reagan's presidency popularized it, and it has since transcended its political origins to become a mainstream surname-style first name.

The 40th U.S. President Ronald Reagan remains one of the most culturally significant American presidents, and his name has been passed to thousands of children as a form of tribute. Reagan National Airport in Washington D.C. was named after him, as are schools and buildings across the country.

Fun Facts

Reagan is one of very few president's surnames (like Lincoln, Kennedy, and Grant) to become a common given name in America
In Shakespeare's King Lear, 'Regan' is the name of one of Lear's treacherous daughters — the classic literary connection predates the presidential one by 400 years

Reagan in Other Languages

Irish Ó Ríagáin

English Reagan/Regan

Famous People Named Reagan

Ronald Reagan

Politician

1911

40th President of the United States (1981-1989), former actor and Governor of California

Regan Fictional

Other

One of King Lear's treacherous daughters in Shakespeare's King Lear — a name with 400 years of literary history

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #1,573
Total SSA Count: 110
Cultural Origins: Irish American
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Common Nicknames

Ray

Pairs Well With

Reagan James Reagan Patrick Reagan Thomas Reagan Michael Reagan William Reagan Joseph

Sibling Names

Kennedy Finley Parker Lincoln Quinn Sullivan Carson

Also a Girl Name

Reagan is also used as a girl name, ranked #244.

View Reagan as a girl name →

Similar Names

Reason Brodie Hagan Regan Reagan Tegan Raegan Keegan

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Reagan

What does the name Reagan mean?

"impulsive, little king" (from Irish Gaelic). "descendant of Riagán" (from Irish). Reagan is an anglicization of the Irish surname Ó Ríagáin, derived from the Old Irish 'ríagán' meaning 'impulsive' or possibly from 'rí' (king) with a diminutive, giving 'little king.' It was primarily an Irish surname before transitioning to use as a given name. In the United States, its use as a given name accelerated after the presidency of Ronald Reagan, giving it a distinctly American political resonance.

What is the origin of the name Reagan?

Reagan has Irish Gaelic, Irish, and American origins. In Irish Gaelic, it means "impulsive, little king". In Irish, it means "descendant of Riagán".

Is Reagan a boy or girl name?

Reagan is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1573. As a girl name, it is ranked #244. Reagan is more commonly used as a girl name.

How do you pronounce Reagan?

Reagan is pronounced r-AYG-uhn.

How popular is the name Reagan?

Reagan is currently ranked #1573 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Reagan?

Common nicknames for Reagan include Ray.

What are good middle names for Reagan?

Popular middle name pairings include Reagan James, Reagan Patrick, Reagan Thomas, Reagan Michael, Reagan William, and Reagan Joseph.

What are good sibling names for Reagan?

Names that pair well with Reagan as siblings include Kennedy, Finley, Parker, Lincoln, Quinn, Sullivan, and Carson.

How many syllables does Reagan have?

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

Is Reagan a common or rare name?

Reagan is an uncommon name, ranked #1573 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Reagan

Reagan is a boy name with Irish and American origins . The name means "impulsive, little king" in Irish Gaelic .

Is Reagan a boy or girl name? Reagan is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,573 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #244. Reagan is more commonly used as a girl name.

Reagan is currently ranked #1,573 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

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

Common nicknames for Reagan include Ray. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.