"impulsive, little king"
Origin: Irish Gaelic
Language: Irish
Reagan
Pronunciation: [ r-AYG-uhn ]
Does Reagan flow with your last name?
An Irish 'little king' made iconic by the American presidency
Irish
American
Strong
Bold
Classic
Modern
Traditional
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Reagan
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Reagan
1 shorthand option for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"descendant of Riagán"
Origin: Irish
Language: English
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Reagan
See all →What the Reagan report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Reagan the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Reagan
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Reagan head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Reagan actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
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.
Historical Record
Reagan first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 7,493 babies have been named Reagan in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Reagan is past its peak , currently ranked #1,573 for boy names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
#1,573
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 2004
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Jaxtyn
Boy
"God has been gracious"
#1,466
Rush
Boy
"to move swiftly, energetic forward movement"
#1,496
Chester
Boy
"from Chester (place name)"
#1,657
Sire
Boy
"lord, father, sovereign"
#1,681
Kairos
Boy
"qualitative time, the fullness of time"
#1,632
Compare Reagan with:
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
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, Irish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Reagan
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Reagan fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
Reagan is also used as a girl name, ranked #244.
View Reagan as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Reagan →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Reagan with...
Same Origin Names (Irish)
See all Irish names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Reagan
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Reagan and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Reagan sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Jaxtyn
Boy
Hebrew origin
"God has been gracious"
#1,466 in US
Rush
Boy
Old French origin
"to move swiftly, energetic forward mo..."
#1,496 in US
Chester
Boy
Old English origin
"from Chester (place name)"
#1,657 in US
Sire
Boy
Old French origin
"lord, father, sovereign"
#1,681 in US
Kairos
Boy
Greek theological origin
"qualitative time, the fullness of time"
#1,632 in US
Eydan
Boy
Hebrew-influenced interpretation origin
"fire of God"
#1,620 in US
Clarence
Boy
Latin origin
"bright, clear, famous"
#1,563 in US
Zabdiel
Boy
Hebrew origin
"God has given"
#1,505 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Reagan's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
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.
Keep Exploring
Irish Gaelic Names
Browse all names with this origin
R
Names Starting with R
More boy names like Reagan
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
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