Girl · 32nd of 35,406
Morgan
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
267,755
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1995
Peak Popularity Year
12,135
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Morgan 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
Morgan is a Welsh name meaning 'sea chief' or 'sea-born'. It has evolved from the Old Welsh form Morcant, through Middle Welsh Morgant, to its modern form. The name is associated with strength and creativity, and it does not have any biblical relevance. Morgan gained popularity as a given name in the 20th century and is widely recognized today.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈmɔːɡən/
Origin
Welsh
Etymology
The name Morgan is derived from the Welsh elements 'mor' meaning 'sea' and 'cant' meaning 'circle' or 'completion'. It has also been interpreted as 'sea-born' or 'sea chief'.
Meaning
sea, chief
Language Evolution
Morcant (Old Welsh), Morgant (Middle Welsh), Morgan (Modern Welsh)
Historical Usage
Morgan gained popularity in the 20th century as a unisex name, particularly in English-speaking countries. It was historically used as a surname before transitioning to a given name.
Variants & Derivatives
Morgana, Morgaine, Morrigan
Modern Popularity & Image
In contemporary society, Morgan is seen as a strong and versatile name, commonly used for both boys and girls. It carries a sense of intelligence and creativity.
Famous People
Morgan Freeman, Morgan Fairchild, Morgan Wallen
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Rising
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 12,135 peak births in 1995
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 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 9 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 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 468th of 7545 | 2,668 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 546th of 6773 | 2,176 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 557th of 7552 | 3,486 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 448th of 10718 | 5,329 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 283rd of 16616 | 13,693 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 376th of 24088 | 12,172 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 640th of 23106 | 5,048 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 9107th of 9107 | 5 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 7783rd of 9204 | 11 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 3123rd of 12526 | 269 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 792nd of 19264 | 2,847 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 63rd of 27321 | 84,257 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 32nd of 35406 | 112,063 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 145th of 30306 | 23,193 |