Morgan
Morgan is a boy's name of Celtic origin.
Meaning
Sea-born, sea-defender, or bright circle.
Origin and history
Morgan is derived from the Old Welsh name Morcant, composed of elements traditionally associated with the sea or circle and brightness. Historically a masculine name in Wales, it has been used for both boys and girls in the United States for over a century. It remains a steady, recognizable choice for boys in contemporary U.S. name data.
Popularity in the United States
45,643 babies in the United States have been named Morgan since 1880. It ranks #537 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #568.
States where it is most popular
- CA (13.6 %)
- TX (8.4 %)
- NY (5.5 %)
- FL (4.4 %)
- PA (4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 252 |
| 1890-1900 | 255 |
| 1900-1910 | 257 |
| 1910-1920 | 1,184 |
| 1920-1930 | 1,527 |
| 1930-1940 | 1,200 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,274 |
| 1950-1960 | 1,768 |
| 1960-1970 | 2,445 |
| 1970-1980 | 3,329 |
| 1980-1990 | 7,206 |
| 1990-2000 | 10,100 |
| 2000-2010 | 7,848 |
| 2010-2019 | 4,001 |
| 2020-2029 | 2,997 |
Famous people named Morgan
- Morgan Freeman: Actor, Narrator
- Morgan Spurlock: Documentarian, Filmmaker
- Morgan Enberg: Journalist, Broadcaster
Fun facts
- The name stems from the early Welsh masculine personal name Morcant, recorded as early as the 8th century.
- While historically masculine in Wales and Great Britain, Morgan became popular for both sexes in the 20th-century United States.