Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Megan is a Welsh name derived from Margaret, which means 'pearl' in Greek. It has undergone linguistic evolution from Margaret to its current form. The name is viewed positively in modern contexts and has biblical relevance of 'N/A'.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈmɛɡən/
Origin
Welsh
Etymology
Megan is a diminutive form of the name Margaret, which comes from the Greek word 'margaritēs' meaning 'pearl'. In Welsh, it has evolved to become a standalone name.
Meaning
pearl
Language Evolution
Margaret, Margarita, Megan
Historical Usage
Megan gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly in Welsh-speaking areas, and has since become common in English-speaking countries.
Variants & Derivatives
Meg, Meggie, Meganai, Meganeth
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Megan is viewed as a modern and trendy name, often associated with friendliness and approachability.
Famous People
Megan Fox, Megan Markle, Megan Hilty
📊 Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 20,303 peak births in 1990
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Utah
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 11 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Alternative Spellings & Similar Sounds (13 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 13 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
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
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 3060th of 10718 | 176 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 1631st of 16616 | 752 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 6674th of 24088 | 170 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 21740th of 23106 | 6 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 5533rd of 9107 | 39 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 3432nd of 9204 | 129 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 649th of 12526 | 4,097 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 112th of 19264 | 50,310 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 12th of 27321 | 265,012 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 31st of 35406 | 112,443 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 493rd of 30306 | 7,735 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
60.98% 1791st/2937 |
- | - |
57.34% 2319th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
41.52% 1530th/3685 |
57.01% 2551st/4475 |
38.06% 1977th/5194 |
27.42% 1732nd/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - |
47.20% 3452nd/7313 |
- |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- |
95.76% 1490th/1556 |
- |
100.00% 1547th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
25.42% 566th/2227 |
20.37% 495th/2430 |
40.41% 1153rd/2853 |
18.52% 514th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
3.10% 91st/2937 |
2.64% 92nd/3483 |
5.23% 184th/3518 |
2.40% 97th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
0.19% 7th/3685 |
0.36% 16th/4475 |
0.29% 15th/5194 |
0.19% 12th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
0.48% 22nd/4582 |
0.66% 34th/5164 |
0.53% 39th/7313 |
0.46% 34th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
13.03% 519th/3984 |
10.12% 454th/4487 |
7.59% 518th/6822 |
7.25% 455th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in Utah across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Millennials (Gen Y) generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is declining in usage, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been gradually declining. From 2020-2022, usage has been stalled for male in MidWest, falling for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, falling for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, too falling for female in South, stalled for male in West, falling for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, too rising for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, too rising for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, too rising for female in South, stalled for male in West, too rising for female in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 3060th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1631st out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 6674th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 21740th out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 5533rd out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 3432nd out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 649th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 112th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 12th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 31st out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 493rd out of 30306 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.