"little king, of royal descent"
Origin: Irish Gaelic
Language: Irish
Regan
Pronunciation: [ r-EEG-uhn ]
Does Regan flow with your last name?
An Irish royal name with Shakespearean history
Irish
English
American
Classic
Strong
Traditional
Royal
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"impulsive, wrathful"
Origin: Old Irish
Language: Irish
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Things to Know About This Name
- Associated with King Lear's villainous daughter Regan in Shakespeare
The Story of Regan
Regan is an Anglicization of the Irish surname Ó Riagáin, meaning 'descendant of Riagán.' The personal name Riagán derives from the Old Irish 'ríge,' meaning kingship or royal rule, giving Regan the approximate meaning of 'little king' or 'one of royal descent.' As an Irish clan name, the Ó Riagáins were historically a significant family in County Meath and County Clare. The name crossed into English use as a given name during the general fashion for Irish surnames as first names in America.
Regan as a first name gained traction in the 20th century as Irish surnames became fashionable given names. Its association with the sound of Reagan — linked to Ronald Reagan's presidency (1981-1989) — helped boost the broader Regan/Reagan name family in America. As a boy's name, Regan offers an Irish alternative to the more common Reagan.
In Irish culture, the Ó Riagáin clan held lands in County Meath for centuries. Shakespeare used 'Regan' as the name of one of King Lear's three daughters — a character known for her cruelty — which gives the name a complex literary legacy in English culture.
Historical Record
Regan first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 3,652 babies have been named Regan in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Regan is past its peak , currently ranked #4,003 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Regan is one of King Lear's three daughters in Shakespeare's tragedy, known for her cruelty toward her father
- The Ó Riagáin clan were among the ancient noble families of County Meath in Ireland
- Regan and Reagan are the same name etymologically — Reagan is just the English phonetic spelling of the Irish surname
Regan in Other Languages
French
Régan
Italian
Regan
Spanish
Reagan
Irish Gaelic
Ó Riagáin
Popularity Over Time
#4,003
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1964
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Regan
R
Regan (King Lear) Fictional
Other
One of King Lear's three daughters in Shakespeare's tragedy, a character known for cruelty and ruthless ambition toward ...
One of King Lear's three daughters in Shakespeare's tragedy, a character known for cruelty and ruthless ambition toward her father
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Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #4,003
- Total SSA Count
- 27
- Cultural Origins
- Irish English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Nicknames
Reg
Rey
Reie
Regkins
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English 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
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Regan
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Regan is also used as a girl name, ranked #2346.
View Regan as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Regan
What does the name Regan mean?
"little king, of royal descent" (from Irish Gaelic). "impulsive, wrathful" (from Old Irish). Regan is an Anglicization of the Irish surname Ó Riagáin, meaning 'descendant of Riagán.' The personal name Riagán derives from the Old Irish 'ríge,' meaning kingship or royal rule, giving Regan the approximate meaning of 'little king' or 'one of royal descent.' As an Irish clan name, the Ó Riagáins were historically a significant family in County Meath and County Clare. The name crossed into English use as a given name during the general fashion for Irish surnames as first names in America.
What is the origin of the name Regan?
Regan has Irish Gaelic, Old Irish, Irish, English, and American origins. In Irish Gaelic, it means "little king, of royal descent". In Old Irish, it means "impulsive, wrathful".
Is Regan a boy or girl name?
Regan is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #4003. As a girl name, it is ranked #2346. Regan is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Regan?
Regan is pronounced r-EEG-uhn.
How popular is the name Regan?
Regan is currently ranked #4003 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Regan?
Common nicknames for Regan include Reg, Rey, Reie, and Regkins.
What are good middle names for Regan?
Popular middle name pairings include Regan James, Regan Michael, Regan Patrick, Regan Thomas, Regan Joseph, and Regan William.
What are good sibling names for Regan?
Names that pair well with Regan as siblings include Declan, Finnegan, Caitlin, Siobhan, Kieran, and Brynn.
How many syllables does Regan have?
Regan has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Regan a common or rare name?
Regan is an uncommon name, ranked #4003 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Regan
Regan is a boy name with Irish, English, and American origins . The name means "little king, of royal descent" in Irish Gaelic .
Is Regan a boy or girl name? Regan is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #4,003 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #2,346. Regan is more commonly used as a girl name.
Regan is currently ranked #4,003 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Regan has 2 syllables and is pronounced r-EEG-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Regan include Reg, Rey, Reie, and Regkins. 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