Reagan Overview
- Meaning: Reagan is Irish for “Kingly” and Gaelic for “Little King.”
- Gender: Reagan is traditionally a female name but is gaining popularity as a boy’s name.
- Origin: Reagan is an Anglicized form of the surname Ó Ríagáin which means “descendent of Riagán.” The O’Riagain family was very influential in Ireland during the sixth century.
- Pronunciation: “ray-gen” or “ree-gen”
- Popularity: Reagan is a popular name in the United States.
- Nicknames: Rae, Regs, Rae Rae, Reags, Oreagano.
- Variations: Raegan (Irish), Regan (Irish), Ragan (Gaelic), Reghan (Gaelic).
- Namesakes: Ronald Reagan, Reagan Jones, Reagan Howard.
What Does Reagan Mean?
Reagan means “Kingly” in Irish and “Little King” in Gaelic. Other meanings given to Reagan are “regal” and “royal.” No matter which meaning you take, they all mean a child born to a king or whose parents are royalty.
What is the Origin of the Name Reagan?
Reagan was traditionally a surname with its origin coming from an Anglicized form of the surname Ó Ríagáin which means “descendent of Riagán.” This surname originates from a sixth-century family who played an important part in Irish history. O’Riagain turned into O’Regan when the British colonized Ireland during the 17th century. O’Regan then came to America when people immigrated to the United States during the Great Famine in Ireland.
How Popular is the Name Reagan?
Reagan is the 887th most popular baby name since its use began in 1879. There have been almost 65,000 newborns named Reagan in the United States. Reagan is a popular girl’s name in the United States. It has been on the Social Security Administration’s top list for over 30 years (1).
Currently, Reagan is a popular girl’s name in the United States. The name currently ranks 126 in the United States, compared to a rank of 286 in the year 2000. Currently, Reagan is a pretty popular boy’s name in the United States. The name currently ranks 970 in the United States (2).
How Do I Pronounce Reagan?
The two most popular ways to pronounce Reagan are “ray-gen” or “ree-gen.” “Ray-gen” is the traditional and most popular pronunciation for its use as a surname. “Ree-gen” became a popular alternative pronunciation for parents who wanted their kids to stand out a bit more.
Is Reagan a Boy or Girl Name?
Reagan started as a surname but has been increasingly popular as a first name as well. While Reagan is traditionally a girl’s name, its use as a boy’s name has recently gained popularity, likely influenced by the cultural impact of Ronald Reagan. Ultimately it’s a flexible name that can be used for a child of any gender.
Variations of Reagan
Reagan has several name variations modernized by parents since its Irish inception as a surname. Some of the most common include:
- Raegan (Irish)
- Ragan (Gaelic)
- Regan (Irish)
- Reghan (Gaelic)
Nicknames for Reagan
Reagan is already a short name, and there isn’t a traditional nickname. Here are ideas you can use as a nickname for Reagan:
- Rae
- Regs
- Rae Rae
- Reags
- Oreagano
Similar Names to Reagan
If you like the sound of the name Reagan but want something a little different, you might like these other similar names that we put together. Below is a list of Irish and Gaelic names with similar origins to Reagan:
- Meagan
- Raelynn
- Morgan
- Kennedy
- Teagan
- Addison
Middle Names for Reagan
Reagan is a flexible name that can work for any gender, and as such, you have a lot of options when it comes to picking a middle name. Here’s a list of some that we thought worked especially well:
Girls’ Names:
- Nicole
- Elizabeth
- Ann
- Jane
Boys’ Names:
- Lee
- James
- Alexander
- Edward
- Allen
Sibling Names for Reagan
Parents with kids named Reagan also have kids with the following names:
Girls’ Names:
- Isabelle
- Claire
- Serena
- Noelle
- Clara
Boys’ Names:
- Benjamin
- Luke
- Jack
- Nicholas
- Sebastian
Famous People Named Reagan
Reagan has been a trendy name in America since 1975. The most famous citizen named Reagan was Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the United States and an actor.
- Reagan Campbell-Gillard: Australian Rugby player.
- Reagan Dunn: American politician.
- Reagan Gomez-Preston: American actress.
- Reagan Howard: American businesswoman.
- Reagan Jones: American singer.
- Reagan Kastner: American model.
- Reagan Louie: American photographer.
- Reagan Maui’a: American NFL player.
- Reagan Michelle: American stunt woman.
- Reagan Pasternak: Canadian actress.
- Reagan Wickens: Australian swimmer.
- Ronald Reagan: 40th President of the United States
Reagan in Popular Culture
Authors have used the name Reagan for television characters and songs in the United Kingdom and the United States. Here are some of the common uses in popular culture:
- Regan Abbott: Main protagonist from “A Quiet Place” and “A Quiet Place: Part II.”
- Regan MacNeil: The main character from William Peter Blatty’s horror novel, “The Exorcist.”
- Regan O’Neill: The narrator of the novel “Luna” by Julie Ann Peters.
- Regan: Character of William Shakespeare’s play “King Lear.”
Reagan FAQs
Here are the most commonly asked questions about the name Reagan.
Is Reagan A Unisex Name?
Yes, you can use Reagan as a girl’s or boy’s name. It is a mighty name for either a boy or a girl, meaning someone from a royal family.
Does The Name Reagan Have A Biblical Meaning?
Reagan does not have a biblical meaning. In fact, there are no references to Reagan in the bible at all. Its origin dates to an influential Irish family during the sixth century. We initially used the name as a surname and only began as a first name in recent times.
What’s The Most Popular Way To Spell Reagan?
Parents use the traditional spelling of the surname Reagan over 65% of the time for a first name. They then use Ragan as the most popular way to spell the first name for their child. A recent Americanized version spelled Raegan has gained recent popularity.
What Landmarks Share The Name Reagan?
Because of Ronald Reagan’s popularity, there are many landmarks named Reagan. These include institutions, roads, schools, sea ships, and a public holiday. Your kid will have fun finding all the places in the United States that match their name!
