Girl · 12th of 27,321
Megan
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
440,869
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1990
Peak Popularity Year
20,303
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Megan 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
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 Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
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
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Gradually Declining
Explore popularity by location
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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
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 11 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |