The name carries the beautiful meaning of “pearl,” suggesting something precious found after a bit of effort. While it may not be in the top 10 today, that is actually its current superpower. It is recognizable but no longer ubiquitous, allowing a child to have a name everyone can spell but few other classmates will share.
Verdict: Megan is a fantastic “sweet spot” choice for 2025. It offers the vintage appeal of a 90s classic (similar to how names like Alice or Eleanor felt to previous generations) while retaining a connection to modern royalty. It is the perfect choice for parents seeking a grounded, cheerful name with Celtic roots that doesn’t feel overly complicated.
Megan Overview
- Meaning: Megan comes from the Latin word that means “pearl.”
- Gender: Megan is a female name popular in Welsh, English, and American cultures.
- Origin: Megan originated from Margaret, which has its root in Latin and Welsh culture.
- Pronunciation: Megan can is pronounced “MEEG-an,” “MAY-gan,” or “MEG-an,” depending on the spelling and the region. “MEG-an” is the most common pronunciation.
- Popularity: Megan shot to the top 20 rankings of names about three decades ago but, at present, sits in the top 700 for girl names in the United States.
- Nicknames: Eggie, Meg, Meggie, Meggy, Megs, Megsy, Mugg.
- Variations: Maigen, Maigan, Maygen, Maygan, Meigan, Meigen, Meagan, Meagen, Meagyn, Megen, Meggan, Meggen, Meghan, Meghen, Megyn.
- Namesakes: Megan Fox (American actress), Megan Thee Stallion (American rapper), and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (American actress and royal).
What Does Megan Mean?
At its core, the name Megan means “pearl.”
While this definition is short and sweet, the etymology is fascinating. Megan is a diminutive (a pet form) of the name Margaret. Margaret comes from the Greek word margarítēs, which translates directly to pearl. In ancient times, pearls were seen as symbols of purity, wisdom, and wealth because they were the only gem widely known to come from a living creature.
There is a secondary, culturally specific meaning often attributed to the spelling “Meghan.” In Irish culture, you will often hear it associated with the Gaelic concept of a “strong warrior” or “brave.” While linguistically Megan is Welsh, this definition has been adopted by many parents who prefer the “H” spelling to give the name a fiercer, stronger edge.
Where Does the Name Megan Come From?
Megan is originally a Welsh name.
It began its life as a pet name for Margaret. In Wales, it was common practice to shorten Margaret to Meg or Meggie, and eventually, the diminutive suffix “-an” was added to create Megan. This is similar to how “Ann” became “Nan” or “Nancy.”
While Margaret has Biblical and Latin roots (Margarita), Megan is distinctly Celtic in its formation. It is one of the rare instances where a nickname became more popular than the original name in specific eras.
- First Recorded Use: While hard to pinpoint the exact moment it became a standalone name, “Megen” appears in Welsh parish records dating back to the 16th century (1).
- Migration: It remained largely a Welsh secret until the mid-20th century, when it crossed over into England and eventually surged across the Atlantic to the United States.
How Popular is the Name Megan?
If you grew up in the 1990s, you likely had three Megans in your homeroom class. Today, however, the name has transitioned from a chart-topping hit to a familiar classic.
Megan was a defining name of the Millennial generation. It entered the US Top 100 in the 1970s, skyrocketed in the 80s, and peaked in the 90s (reaching as high as #10 in 1994). It was the cool, sporty alternative to the more formal Elizabeth or Catherine.
In recent years, the name has cooled off significantly. According to Social Security Administration data, it has left the Top 500, currently sitting closer to the Top 700 (2).
What this means for you: Megan is now a “rare gem” choice. It is universally recognized and easy to spell, but your daughter is very unlikely to share her name with another child in her preschool class. It has moved into the category of “Mom Names” that are ready for a revival.
How Do I Pronounce Megan?
The most common American and English pronunciation is phonetic:
MEG-an (rhymes with “began”).
However, regional dialects drastically change how this name sounds:
- The “Long E”: In parts of the US South and the Midwest, as well as Australia, you will frequently hear MEE-gan.
- The “Long A”: Occasionally, especially with the spelling Meagan, it is pronounced MAY-gan (rhymes with “Reagan”).
Is Megan a Boy or Girl Name?
Megan is traditionally and strictly a girl’s name.
Unlike similar-sounding surnames like Reagan, Teagan, or Logan, which have become unisex favorites, Megan has retained its feminine status. This is largely due to its direct lineage from Margaret.
Variations of Megan
Because Megan traveled from Wales to the rest of the world, parents have found creative ways to spell it. The addition of the “h” is the most prominent variation, popularized significantly by the Duchess of Sussex.
Common Variations:
- Meghan (English/Irish influence)
- Meagan (Americanized)
- Maigan (Modern creative)
- Maygan (Phonetic spelling for “May-gan”)
- Megyn (Modern styling)
Nicknames for Megan
Megan is short enough to not require a nickname, but there are plenty of affectionate options available.
Common Nicknames:
- Meg: The standard, punchy short form.
- Meggie: A sweet, vintage option suitable for a baby.
- Megs: A friendly, sporty nickname often used by friends.
Creative & Rare Nicknames:
- Pearl: A “secret” nickname derived from the name’s meaning.
- Gem: Playing on the “precious stone” meaning of the name.
- May: Taking the first initial and sound for a vintage feel.
Names Similar to Megan
If you love the sound of Megan but want something with a slightly different vibe, consider these options.
Similar in Sound (The “Eg” and “An” sounds):
- Morgan: Also of Welsh origin, but unisex and slightly more modern.
- Teagan: An Irish surname-name that feels spunkier.
- Reagan: Has a presidential, unisex flair.
- Maren: Similar soft ending but with a nautical meaning (“star of the sea”).
Similar in Style (90s Classics & Celtic Roots):
- Erin: Another Celtic classic that hit big in the 90s.
- Molly: Like Megan, a diminutive (of Mary) that became a standalone favorite.
- Bridget: A strong Irish classic with a similar sturdy feel.
- Madison: Shares the “M” start and the surname style.
Middle Names for Megan
Megan is a two-syllable trochee (stressed-unstressed), which makes it incredibly versatile. It pairs well with almost anything, but style matters.
Classic & Timeless
These pairings ground the name, emphasizing its connection to Margaret and traditional roots.
Nature & Soft
To highlight the “Pearl” meaning, pair Megan with softer, nature-inspired names.
Modern & Punchy
Give Megan a contemporary update with a unisex or surname-style middle name.
Sibling Names for Megan
When building a sib-set around Megan, you usually want names that bridge the gap between “traditional” and “modern classic.”
For a Brother
- Ryan: The perfect Irish counterpart to the Welsh Megan; both are timeless.
- Dylan: Shares the Welsh heritage and the “an” ending without rhyming.
- Owen: A gentle, sturdy Welsh name that fits the era perfectly.
- Matthew: A classic Biblical name that was popular in the same decades as Megan.
- Connor: Energetic and Celtic, matching Megan’s friendly vibe.
For a Sister
- Emily: A soft, feminine classic that balances Megan’s strength.
- Hannah: Both names are palindromes (or close to it) of popularity; sweet and grounded.
- Lauren: Often paired with Megan as the quintessential “girl next door” names.
- Caitlin: Keeps the Celtic theme (Irish) but with a distinct sound.
- Sydney: If you view Megan as a 90s classic, Sydney is her cool, metropolitan sister.
Famous People Named Megan
The list of famous Megans proves the name’s versatility, ranging from royalty to rap superstars.
- Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (Meghan Markle): The American actress turned British royal who famously married Prince Harry.
- Megan Fox: American actress and model known for Transformers.
- Megan Thee Stallion: Grammy-winning American rapper who brought a bold, modern edge to the name.
- Megan Rapinoe: World Cup-winning American soccer legend and activist.
- Megyn Kelly: American journalist and news anchor.
- Megan Mullally: Emmy-winning actress famous for her role as Karen Walker on Will & Grace.
Megan in Pop Culture
- Meg Griffin: The daughter in the animated sitcom Family Guy (voiced by Mila Kunis).
- Megan Parker: The mischievous younger sister in the Nickelodeon show Drake & Josh.
- M3GAN: The titular AI doll in the hit sci-fi horror film, giving the name a robotic, spooky twist.
- Megan Draper: Don Draper’s wife in the critically acclaimed series Mad Men.
- Meg March: While formally “Margaret,” the eldest sister in Little Women goes by Meg, the root of Megan.
FAQs About the Name Megan
Is Megan an Irish Name?
Megan is technically Welsh in origin. However, the spelling “Meghan” is frequently associated with Irish culture. In Ireland, it is often treated as an anglicized version of names meaning “brave warrior,” though its etymological root remains the Welsh diminutive of Margaret (Pearl).
How Old Is the Name Megan?
The name Megan is centuries old. While it feels like a modern 20th-century hit, it was used in Wales as early as the 16th century. It appeared in parish records spelled as “Megen” during the Tudor era (3).
Why Is Megan Sometimes Spelled With an “H”?
The “H” in Meghan often denotes an Irish influence or simply a stylistic preference to make the name look fuller. It became widely recognized globally due to Meghan Markle. It does not change the pronunciation, though some believe it softens the appearance of the name.
Is There a Flower Associated With the Name Megan?
Yes, the daisy. The French version of Margaret is “Marguerite,” which is the French word for the Oxeye Daisy. Because Megan is derived from Margaret, it shares this floral connection. This makes “Daisy” another secret nickname option for Megan.
Is Megan Considered a Dated Name?
Megan is considered a “modern vintage” name. While it is no longer in the Top 10 like it was in the 1990s, it hasn’t disappeared. It has transitioned from a trendy name to a staple name, similar to how names like Laura or Julia function, recognizable, safe, and always acceptable.
Can Megan Be a Nickname for Other Names?
Historically, Megan was the nickname (for Margaret). However, today it is almost exclusively a standalone name. If you wanted to use it as a nickname, it could theoretically work for names like Magdalene or Magnolia, though “Maggie” is more common for those.
What Is the Most Common Spelling of Megan?
In the United States and the UK, “Megan” is the standard and most popular spelling. “Meghan” is the second most common, followed by “Meagan.” Creative spellings like “Maigan” or “Megyn” are significantly rarer.
Is Megan a Biblical Name?
No, Megan does not appear in the Bible. However, its root name, Margaret, is associated with Saint Margaret of Antioch, a famous saint in Christian history. So while the name Megan is not in scripture, it has deep ties to Christian naming traditions.
