Megan
Megan is a girls' name of Welsh origin meaning “pearl.” It ranked #887 in the United States in 2025.
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how do you pronounce Megan?
MEG-un
where does the name Megan come from?
A Welsh pet form of Margaret, which goes back through the Latin margarīta and Greek margarités to an Indo-Iranian source, pearl.
A Welsh diminutive of Margaret meaning pearl, Megan was one of the most popular names in the English-speaking world in the 1990s and 2000s. Though many forget its Welsh origins, it began as a distinctly Welsh pet form. The name is friendly, warm, and universally accessible.
how popular is this name?
Megan has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 74 years since 1952. It peaked at #10 in 1985, and ranked #887 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #887 |
| 2024 | #762 |
| 2023 | #694 |
| 2022 | #730 |
| 2021 | #609 |
| 2020 | #640 |
| 2019 | #608 |
| 2018 | #547 |
| 2017 | #496 |
| 2016 | #432 |
| 2010 | #131 |
| 2000 | #18 |
| 1990 | #11 |
| 1985 | #10 |
| 1980 | #30 |
| 1970 | #246 |
| 1960 | #506 |
| 1952 | #842 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Megan fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Megan
Megan is one of the most popular Welsh-language names for women in Wales and England, often shortened to Meg.
who are famous people named Megan?
- Megan Rapinoe (US soccer player)
- Megan Fox (American actress)
what are the nicknames and variants of Megan?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Megan?
what names go well with Megan?
Sibling names that share Megan's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Megan
What does the name Megan mean?
Megan means “pearl”.
What is the origin of the name Megan?
Megan comes from the Welsh naming tradition. Related forms include Meghan and Meagan.
How popular is the name Megan?
Megan ranked #887 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 1985, at #10, and it has spent 74 years in the top 1,000 since 1952.
Is Megan a boy or girl name?
Megan is primarily a girls' name.
How do you pronounce Megan?
Megan is pronounced MEG-un, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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