Morgan
Morgan is a girl's name of Celtic origin.
Meaning
Sea-born, sea-circle, or sea-defender.
Origin and history
Morgan is derived from the Old Welsh name Morcant, composed of elements likely meaning sea and circle or completion. Traditionally used in Wales as a masculine name, it gained widespread popularity in the United States as a given name for girls in the late 20th century. It remains a well-established unisex choice, though currently ranking in the top 250 for U.S. females.
Popularity in the United States
223,626 babies in the United States have been named Morgan since 1880. It ranks #180 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #234.
States where it is most popular
- TX (7 %)
- CA (6.5 %)
- OH (5.5 %)
- PA (5 %)
- NY (4.4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 5 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 5 |
| 1940-1950 | 22 |
| 1950-1960 | 110 |
| 1960-1970 | 354 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,569 |
| 1980-1990 | 24,287 |
| 1990-2000 | 91,196 |
| 2000-2010 | 70,746 |
| 2010-2019 | 27,641 |
| 2020-2029 | 7,691 |
Famous people named Morgan
- Morgan Pressel: golfer, athlete
- Morgan Fairchild: actress
Fun facts
- The original Old Welsh form Morcant combines elements associated with the sea and completion or brightness.
- While historically masculine in Wales, Morgan became an exceptionally popular female name in the U.S. starting in the 1980s.