Girl · 88th of 27,321
Meghan
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
96,625
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1985
Peak Popularity Year
4,683
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Meghan 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
The name Meghan has Welsh origins and is a diminutive of Margaret, meaning 'pearl' and associated with strength. It has evolved through forms like Margaret and Meg. It gained significant popularity in the late 20th century and is currently viewed as a modern and elegant name, with no direct biblical relevance.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈmɛɡən/
Origin
Welsh
Etymology
The name Meghan is a diminutive form of Margaret, which originates from the Greek word 'margaritēs' meaning 'pearl'. In Welsh, it is often associated with the word 'maegen' meaning 'strong' or 'great'.
Meaning
pearl, strong, great
Language Evolution
Margaret, Meg, Meghan
Historical Usage
Meghan gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries, and saw a significant rise in usage during the 1980s and 1990s.
Variants & Derivatives
Meg, Megan, Meghann
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Meghan is perceived as a modern and trendy name, often associated with elegance and strength, especially following the popularity of public figures bearing the name.
Famous People
Meghan Markle (actress and Duchess of Sussex), Meghan Trainor (singer-songwriter)
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 4,683 peak births in 1985
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in New Hampshire
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 8 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 2 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 8 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 5593rd of 10718 | 51 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 4624th of 16616 | 162 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 19137th of 24088 | 14 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 2549th of 12526 | 374 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 317th of 19264 | 12,737 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 88th of 27321 | 56,873 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 224th of 35406 | 23,421 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 1054th of 30306 | 2,993 |