Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Reagan
GirlIrish· “possibly little king”
- Meaning
- possibly little king
- Origin
- Irish
- Pronunciation
- RAY-guhn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #248
- US babies 2025
- 1,244
- Best rank
- #97 (2012)
- Peak year
- 2016
Meaning and origin of Reagan
Reagan is an Irish name that is usually said to mean “possibly little king”.
Reagan comes from the Irish surname Ó Riagáin, meaning "descendant of Riagán". The given name Riagán is often linked to rí, "king", and so the name is frequently rendered "little king", though this reading is not certain. The surname became widely known through Ronald Reagan, the fortieth president of the United States. As a first name Reagan is now used mainly for girls in the United States, though it began with boys. It has a crisp, confident sound and fits among other Irish surname names such as Riley and Kennedy. Rae is a gentle short form.
Other spellings with the same sound: Ragan.
Popularity over time
Reagan first appears in US Social Security records in 1956. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 37 different years, starting in 1975. Its best national rank was #97 in 2012, and the most babies received it in 2016, when 3,097 were named Reagan. In 2025, 1,244 babies were named Reagan, and it ranked #248 nationally. That is 59% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #932 in 1980, #286 in 2000, #127 in 2010, and #248 in 2025. Of the 65,739 US girls named Reagan since records began, 44% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 19,975 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Ximena, Adalyn, Norah, Kinsley, and Adeline.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Reagan ranked highest in Oklahoma, Montana, and New Hampshire.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | #140 | 27 |
| Montana | #163 | 7 |
| New Hampshire | #169 | 8 |
| Wisconsin | #170 | 32 |
| Idaho | #170 | 13 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 93% of US babies named Reagan over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Reagan is usually pronounced RAY-guhn, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with R and ends in “-an”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Ragan.
Middle names for Reagan
A few middle names that flow with Reagan: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Reagan
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Lists that include Reagan
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Reagan mean?
Reagan is an Irish name that is usually said to mean “possibly little king”.
What is the origin of the name Reagan?
Reagan has Irish roots. Reagan comes from the Irish surname Ó Riagáin, meaning "descendant of Riagán".
Is Reagan a popular name?
Yes. Reagan ranked #248 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Reagan a boy or girl name?
Reagan is mainly a girl's name. About 93% of US babies named Reagan over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Reagan?
Reagan is usually pronounced RAY-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