"little ruler, impulsive one"
Origin: Irish Gaelic
Language: English
Reagan
Pronunciation: [ r-AYG-uhn ]
Does Reagan flow with your last name?
An Irish name meaning little ruler with big presence
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English
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Meaning & Origin
"descendant of Riagan"
Origin: Irish Gaelic
Language: Irish
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Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with President Ronald Reagan — a political name choice for some families
The Story of Reagan
Reagan is an Anglicization of the Irish surname O Riagain, meaning 'descendant of Riagan,' where Riagan means 'little ruler' or 'impulsive one.' Originally a purely Irish family name, Reagan transitioned to a given name in the US in the late 20th century. Its rise as a girl's name accelerated in the 1990s and 2000s, fueled by the surname-as-first-name trend and admiration for the Reagan presidency era.
Reagan entered the US girl's name top 100 in the early 2000s, likely influenced by renewed affection for the Reagan presidential era and the broader trend of surname-style names like McKenzie and Kennedy. It has remained popular with parents who appreciate its Celtic roots and strong sound.
In Ireland, Reagan is a distinguished surname associated with County Tipperary and Meath. In America, the name carries strong associations with President Ronald Reagan, making it a name with political resonance that different families view differently.
Historical Record
Reagan first appeared in US Social Security records in 1956.
Over 64,484 babies have been named Reagan in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Reagan is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #244 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Reagan is one of the few Irish surnames more popular for girls than boys as a first name in the US
- The name Regan appears in Shakespeare's King Lear as one of the king's daughters
- Reagan entered the US top 100 girls' names around 2002-2003
Reagan in Other Languages
Irish
O Riagain
English
Reagan
Spanish
Reagan
Popularity Over Time
#244
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Reagan
R
Ronald Reagan
Politician
1911
40th US President (1981-1989), former actor, and conservative political icon
R
Regan Fictional
Other
One of King Lear's three daughters in Shakespeare's tragedy, known for her cruelty toward her father
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Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #244
- Total SSA Count
- 1,292
- Cultural Origins
- Irish American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Rae
Rea
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, American 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, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 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, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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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
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Also a Boy Name
Reagan is also used as a boy name, ranked #1573.
View Reagan as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Irish)
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Greek origin
"maiden"
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Old English Germanic origin
"free man, feminine form of Charles"
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"heavenly, of the sky"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Reagan
What does the name Reagan mean?
"little ruler, impulsive one" (from Irish Gaelic). "descendant of Riagan" (from Irish Gaelic). Reagan is an Anglicization of the Irish surname O Riagain, meaning 'descendant of Riagan,' where Riagan means 'little ruler' or 'impulsive one.' Originally a purely Irish family name, Reagan transitioned to a given name in the US in the late 20th century. Its rise as a girl's name accelerated in the 1990s and 2000s, fueled by the surname-as-first-name trend and admiration for the Reagan presidency era.
What is the origin of the name Reagan?
Reagan has Irish Gaelic, Irish, American, and English origins. In Irish Gaelic, it means "little ruler, impulsive one". In Irish Gaelic, it means "descendant of Riagan".
Is Reagan a boy or girl name?
Reagan is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #244. As a boy name, it is ranked #1573. 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 #244 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Reagan?
Common nicknames for Reagan include Rae and Rea.
What are good middle names for Reagan?
Popular middle name pairings include Reagan Grace, Reagan Mae, Reagan Elizabeth, Reagan Claire, Reagan Ann, and Reagan Kate.
What are good sibling names for Reagan?
Names that pair well with Reagan as siblings include Riley, Finley, Kennedy, Quinn, Sloane, and Brady.
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 a popular name, ranked #244 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
About the Name Reagan
Reagan is a girl name with Irish, American, and English origins . The name means "little ruler, impulsive one" in Irish Gaelic .
Is Reagan a boy or girl name? Reagan is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #244 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #1,573. Reagan is more commonly used as a girl name.
Reagan is currently ranked #244 in popularity for girl 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 Rae and Rea. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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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