Reagan

Pronunciation: [ r-AYG-uhn ]

Girl Name #244 Most Popular Rising 2 Syllables

An Irish name meaning little ruler with big presence

Irish American English

Modern Strong Vintage Classic American

Meaning & Origin

"little ruler, impulsive one"

Origin: Irish Gaelic

Language: English

"descendant of Riagan"

Origin: Irish Gaelic

Language: Irish

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.

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

Famous People Named Reagan

Ronald Reagan

Politician

1911

40th US President (1981-1989), former actor, and conservative political icon

Regan Fictional

Other

One of King Lear's three daughters in Shakespeare's tragedy, known for her cruelty toward her father

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

Pairs Well With

Reagan Grace Reagan Mae Reagan Elizabeth Reagan Claire Reagan Ann Reagan Kate

Sibling Names

Riley Finley Kennedy Quinn Sloane Brady

Also a Boy Name

Reagan is also used as a boy name, ranked #1573.

View Reagan as a boy name →

Similar Names

Reason Hogan Reagan Hagan Egan Locke Regan Meghan

Playground Safety

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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.