Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Megan
GirlWelsh, Greek· “pearl (Welsh pet form of Margaret)”
- Meaning
- pearl (Welsh pet form of Margaret)
- Origin
- Welsh, Greek
- Pronunciation
- MEH-guhn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #889
- US babies 2025
- 301
- Best rank
- #10 (1985)
- Peak year
- 1990
Meaning and origin of Megan
Megan is a Welsh and Greek name that means “pearl (Welsh pet form of Margaret)”.
Megan is a Welsh pet form of Margaret, built from Meg with the Welsh diminutive ending -an. Margaret goes back through Latin to the Greek word margarites, meaning pearl, so Megan quietly carries that meaning too. For a long time it was used mainly in Wales before spreading across the English-speaking world during the twentieth century. It became a defining name for a generation of American girls and now reads as friendly and familiar rather than trendy. Meg is the classic nickname, and spellings like Meghan and Meagan are common. In the United States it is usually said MEH-gun, while many Welsh and British speakers say MEG-an.
Other spellings with the same sound: Magan, Meighan.
Popularity over time
Megan first appears in US Social Security records in 1922. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 74 different years, starting in 1952. Its best national rank was #10 in 1985, and the most babies received it in 1990, when 20,259 were named Megan. In 2025, 301 babies were named Megan, and it ranked #889 nationally. That is 65% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,190 in 1950, #30 in 1980, #18 in 2000, #131 in 2010, and #889 in 2025. Of the 440,065 US girls named Megan since records began, 36% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 1980s come next, with 153,500 babies. Since 2010, 13,922 more have been named Megan.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Elizabeth, Lauren, Kayla, Stephanie, and Courtney.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Megan ranked highest in Florida, Utah, and New Jersey.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | #413 | 46 |
| Utah | #523 | 8 |
| New Jersey | #649 | 12 |
| Texas | #721 | 42 |
| Illinois | #778 | 12 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Megan is usually pronounced MEH-guhn, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with M and ends in “-an”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Magan and Meighan.
Middle names for Megan
A few middle names that flow with Megan: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Megan
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Lists that include Megan
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Megan mean?
Megan is a Welsh and Greek name that means “pearl (Welsh pet form of Margaret)”.
What is the origin of the name Megan?
Megan has Welsh and Greek roots. Megan is a Welsh pet form of Margaret, built from Meg with the Welsh diminutive ending -an.
Is Megan a popular name?
Yes. Megan ranked #889 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Megan a boy or girl name?
Megan is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Megan?
Megan is usually pronounced MEH-guhn. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings