Megan
Megan is a girl's name of Welsh origin.
Meaning
Pearl.
Origin and history
Megan originated as a Welsh diminutive of Margaret, which ultimately derives from Greek margarites meaning 'pearl'. It gained widespread popularity across English-speaking countries in the mid-to-late 20th century. In the United States, it became a massive hit in the 1980s and 1990s and remains a classic modern standard.
Popularity in the United States
440,065 babies in the United States have been named Megan since 1880. It ranks #80 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #689.
States where it is most popular
- CA (9.6 %)
- TX (6 %)
- OH (5.9 %)
- PA (5.8 %)
- IL (5.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 39 |
| 1930-1940 | 47 |
| 1940-1950 | 191 |
| 1950-1960 | 1,887 |
| 1960-1970 | 5,916 |
| 1970-1980 | 37,355 |
| 1980-1990 | 153,500 |
| 1990-2000 | 160,375 |
| 2000-2010 | 66,833 |
| 2010-2019 | 11,493 |
| 2020-2029 | 2,429 |
Famous people named Megan
- Megan Fox: Actress, Model
- Megan Rapinoe: Athlete, Soccer Player
- Megan Hilty: Actress, Singer
Nicknames
Meg, Meggie
Fun facts
- Megan began as a traditional Welsh diminutive of Margaret before becoming a immensely popular independent name worldwide.
- Megan ranked among the top 10 most popular girl names in the United States throughout the late 1980s and 1990s.