Regan

Pronunciation: [ r-EEG-uhn ]

Girl Name #2,346 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

An Irish royal name with Shakespeare's dramatic flair

Irish American British

Strong Classic Bold Literary Modern

Meaning & Origin

"little king, royal one"

Origin: Irish Gaelic

Language: English

"descendant of Riagán"

Origin: Irish Gaelic

Language: Irish

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.

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

Famous People Named Regan

Regan MacNeil Fictional

Other

The possessed 12-year-old protagonist of William Peter Blatty's 1971 novel and 1973 film The Exorcist

Regan (King Lear) Fictional

Other

One of King Lear's three daughters in Shakespeare's 1606 tragedy, known for her cruelty toward her father

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

Pairs Well With

Regan Grace Regan Claire Regan Marie Regan Jane Regan Elizabeth Regan Rose Regan Ann

Sibling Names

Declan Fiona Connell Maeve Cian Niamh Ronan Aoife

Also a Boy Name

Regan is also used as a boy name, ranked #4003.

View Regan as a boy name →

Similar Names

Reagan Hagan Locke Megan Meghan Lachlan Reagan Tegan

Playground Safety

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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.