Egan first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Egan has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Egan

A modern English name of uncertain meaning, possibly originating from Old Irish.

Popularity of Egan by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Egan is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 96% of people named Egan being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 28 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Egan.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 28 0
2022 27 0
2021 28 0
2020 30 0
2019 49 0
2018 33 0
2017 34 0
2016 22 0
2015 29 0
2014 27 0
2013 35 0
2012 29 0
2011 37 0
2010 30 0
2009 41 0
2008 40 0
2007 48 0
2006 41 0
2005 48 0
2004 34 0
2003 45 0
2002 40 5
2001 36 0
2000 25 0
1999 19 0
1998 24 0
1997 21 0
1996 9 0
1995 12 0
1994 14 0
1993 12 0
1992 15 0
1991 15 0
1990 15 0
1989 10 8
1988 8 6
1987 8 7
1986 8 7
1985 10 9
1984 5 7
1983 6 0
1982 6 0
1981 6 0
1980 13 0
1979 16 0
1977 7 0
1975 6 0
1974 6 0

The history of the first name Egan

The given name Egan has its origins in the Irish language and culture, dating back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Gaelic word "éigean," which means "force" or "compulsion." This suggests that the name may have originally been bestowed upon someone who was perceived as possessing a strong-willed or determined character.

In ancient Irish mythology, the name Egan is associated with the legendary figure Éigean, a powerful warrior and chieftain known for his bravery and leadership skills. The name is also mentioned in several ancient Irish texts, including the Lebor Gabála Érenn (The Book of the Taking of Ireland), which is a medieval Christian pseudo-historical account of the ancient settlement of Ireland.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Egan can be traced back to the 11th century, when it appeared in the Annals of Inisfallen, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. The annals mention an individual named Egan Ua Cathalain, who was a prominent member of the Uí Cathalain dynasty in County Clare, Ireland.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Egan. One of the most famous was Egan the Wise (c. 1100-1172), an Irish monk and scholar renowned for his knowledge of ancient Irish law and literature. He was a prominent figure in the monastic community of Clonmacnoise, which was a renowned center of learning during the Middle Ages.

Another prominent figure was Egan O'Rahilly (1670-1726), an Irish Jacobite and military leader who played a significant role in the Williamite War in Ireland (1689-1691). He led the Irish forces at the Battle of Aughrim in 1691, one of the decisive engagements of the conflict.

In more recent times, Egan Inoue (1904-1977) was a Japanese writer and literary critic who made significant contributions to the development of modern Japanese literature. His works explored themes of existentialism and the human condition, and he is regarded as one of the most influential Japanese intellectuals of the 20th century.

Another notable individual with the name Egan was Egan Richardson (1911-1983), an Australian actor and director who had a successful career in both theater and film. He was renowned for his performances in classic plays by writers such as Shakespeare and Chekhov.

Finally, Egan Budge (1857-1943) was a respected British Egyptologist and linguist who made significant contributions to the study of ancient Egyptian language and culture. He is best known for his translations of ancient Egyptian texts, including the Book of the Dead.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Egan was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Egan, please contact us.

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