Girl · 426th of 27,321
Meaghan
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
14,043
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1986
Peak Popularity Year
744
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Meaghan stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Meaghan is an Irish name meaning 'servant of Mary.' It has evolved from 'Maolmhuire' and 'Muirgheal' to its current form. The name embodies traits of cultural significance and femininity. There is no direct biblical relevance, and it has seen a rise in popularity in the 20th century. Variants include Megan and Meghan.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈmeɪɡən/
Origin
Irish
Etymology
Meaghan is derived from the Irish name 'Maolmhuire,' which means 'servant of Mary.' It is a feminine form of the name 'Moe,' which is a diminutive of Muirgheal.
Meaning
servant of Mary
Language Evolution
Maolmhuire, Muirgheal, Meaghan
Historical Usage
Meaghan gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries, as a modern variation of traditional Irish names.
Variants & Derivatives
Megan, Meghan, Maegan
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Meaghan is perceived as a contemporary and feminine name that carries a sense of cultural heritage. It is often associated with strength and independence.
Famous People
Meaghan Jette Martin, Meaghan Rath, Meaghan Mooney
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Moderately Popular name with 744 peak births in 1986
Geographic Spread
Popular across 41 US states, with strongest presence in Massachusetts
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 6 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 13 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 6 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 15172nd of 16616 | 7 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 6870th of 12526 | 53 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1197th of 19264 | 1,548 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 426th of 27321 | 9,200 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 1185th of 35406 | 3,113 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 9797th of 30306 | 122 |