"little king, royal one"
Origin: Irish Gaelic
Language: English
Regan
Pronunciation: [ r-EEG-uhn ]
Does Regan flow with your last name?
An Irish royal name with Shakespeare's dramatic flair
Irish
American
British
Strong
Classic
Bold
Literary
Modern
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Meaning & Origin
"descendant of Riagán"
Origin: Irish Gaelic
Language: Irish
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Things to Know About This Name
- Associated with Regan MacNeil, the possessed child in The Exorcist (1973) — a horror classic but a notable association
- One of King Lear's villainous daughters in Shakespeare
The Story of Regan
Regan is the anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Riagáin, meaning 'descendant of Riagán' — from the Old Irish 'rí' (king) combined with a diminutive suffix, giving the sense of 'little king' or 'royal.' As a surname, it was common in County Meath and County Tipperary. Shakespeare borrowed Regan for one of King Lear's daughters in his 1606 tragedy, giving the name enduring literary fame — albeit as a villain who betrays her father.
Regan has circulated steadily as a first name in the US and Ireland since the mid-20th century, partly boosted by the political association with President Reagan (the alternate spelling) and partly by its strong, clean sound. In the 1990s-2000s, it gained ground as a surname-style given name for girls.
In Shakespeare's King Lear, Regan is one of two treacherous elder daughters who strip Lear of his power and dignity. Despite the villainous association, the name's Celtic royalty etymology and strong sound have kept it popular. In Irish tradition, Ó Riagáin was a powerful clan, giving the name genuine noble heritage.
Historical Record
Regan first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 16,184 babies have been named Regan in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Regan is past its peak , currently ranked #2,346 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Shakespeare's Regan in King Lear is often considered his most purely malevolent female character
- The Irish clan Ó Riagáin claimed descent from the ancient kings of Leinster
Regan in Other Languages
Irish
Riagán
Welsh
Regan
French
Régan
Spanish
Regan
Popularity Over Time
#2,346
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 2001
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Regan
R
Regan MacNeil Fictional
Other
The possessed 12-year-old protagonist of William Peter Blatty's 1971 novel and 1973 film The Exorcist
R
Regan (King Lear) Fictional
Other
One of King Lear's three daughters in Shakespeare's 1606 tragedy, known for her cruelty toward her father
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Compare Regan with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,346
- Total SSA Count
- 78
- Cultural Origins
- Irish American British
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Rege
Rea
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, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Regan
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Regan is also used as a boy name, ranked #4003.
View Regan as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Regan
What does the name Regan mean?
"little king, royal one" (from Irish Gaelic). "descendant of Riagán" (from Irish Gaelic). Regan is the anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Riagáin, meaning 'descendant of Riagán' — from the Old Irish 'rí' (king) combined with a diminutive suffix, giving the sense of 'little king' or 'royal.' As a surname, it was common in County Meath and County Tipperary. Shakespeare borrowed Regan for one of King Lear's daughters in his 1606 tragedy, giving the name enduring literary fame — albeit as a villain who betrays her father.
What is the origin of the name Regan?
Regan has Irish Gaelic, Irish, American, and British origins. In Irish Gaelic, it means "little king, royal one". In Irish Gaelic, it means "descendant of Riagán".
Is Regan a boy or girl name?
Regan is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #2346. As a boy name, it is ranked #4003. 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 #2346 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Regan?
Common nicknames for Regan include Rege and Rea.
What are good middle names for Regan?
Popular middle name pairings include Regan Grace, Regan Claire, Regan Marie, Regan Jane, Regan Elizabeth, Regan Rose, and Regan Ann.
What are good sibling names for Regan?
Names that pair well with Regan as siblings include Declan, Fiona, Connell, Maeve, Cian, Niamh, Ronan, and Aoife.
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 #2346 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Regan
Regan is a girl name with Irish, American, and British origins . The name means "little king, royal one" in Irish Gaelic .
Is Regan a boy or girl name? Regan is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,346 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #4,003. Regan is more commonly used as a girl name.
Regan is currently ranked #2,346 in popularity for girl 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 Rege 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