Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Morgan
GirlWelsh· “uncertain; possibly sea circle”
- Meaning
- uncertain; possibly sea circle (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Welsh
- Pronunciation
- MOR-guhn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #312
- US babies 2025
- 977
- Best rank
- #22 (1997)
- Peak year
- 1995
Meaning and origin of Morgan
Morgan is often said to mean “uncertain; possibly sea circle”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Welsh roots.
Morgan comes from the Welsh Morcant, a name whose meaning is uncertain. It is often said to mean sea circle or sea born, from Welsh mor, sea, but scholars disagree about the second element. In Arthurian legend, Morgan le Fay is a powerful enchantress and half-sister of King Arthur, which gives the name a mysterious aura. It was long a masculine name in Wales and survives as a common Welsh surname. In the United States it has been used mostly for girls in recent decades, while remaining available for boys. It is crisp and polished.
Other spellings with the same sound: Morgen.
Popularity over time
Morgan first appears in US Social Security records in 1918. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 50 different years, starting in 1976. Its best national rank was #22 in 1997, and the most babies received it in 1995, when 10,877 were named Morgan. In 2025, 977 babies were named Morgan, and it ranked #312 nationally. That is 64% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #244 in 1980, #25 in 2000, #63 in 2010, and #312 in 2025. Of the 223,626 US girls named Morgan since records began, 41% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 70,746 babies. Since 2010, 35,332 more have been named Morgan.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Allison, Brooke, Marissa, Miranda, and Mariah.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Morgan ranked highest in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Minnesota.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont | #95 | 5 |
| New Hampshire | #132 | 10 |
| Minnesota | #176 | 31 |
| Connecticut | #187 | 18 |
| Iowa | #216 | 16 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 85% of US babies named Morgan over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Morgan is usually pronounced MOR-guhn, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with M and ends in “-an”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Morgen.
Middle names for Morgan
A few middle names that flow with Morgan: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Morgan
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Lists that include Morgan
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Morgan mean?
Morgan is often said to mean “uncertain; possibly sea circle”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Welsh roots.
What is the origin of the name Morgan?
Morgan has Welsh roots. Morgan comes from the Welsh Morcant, a name whose meaning is uncertain.
Is Morgan a popular name?
Yes. Morgan ranked #312 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Morgan a boy or girl name?
Morgan is mainly a girl's name. About 85% of US babies named Morgan over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Morgan?
Morgan is usually pronounced MOR-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