The name Meaghan is a feminine given name of Irish origin, derived from the ancient Irish Gaelic name Medhbh or Meadhbh. In Irish mythology, Medhbh was a powerful warrior queen who ruled over the western province of Connacht. The name is believed to have originated sometime around the 5th or 6th century AD.

The name Medhbh is thought to be derived from the Old Irish words "med" meaning "intoxicating" and "bh" meaning "she" or "woman." The name was originally spelled with the older Gaelic form "Meadhbh" or "Medhbh," but over time, it evolved into various Anglicized spellings like Meaghan, Megan, Meagan, and Meghan.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Medhbh can be found in the ancient Irish epic "Táin Bó Cúailnge" (The Cattle Raid of Cooley), which dates back to the 8th or 9th century AD. In this epic, Medhbh is portrayed as a formidable and assertive queen who leads her army into battle against the legendary hero Cú Chulainn.

Throughout history, there have been several notable women named Meaghan or variations of the name. One of the earliest was Medhbh, the semi-legendary Queen of Connacht, who is believed to have lived in the 1st century AD. Another notable bearer of the name was Medhbh Ní Mhordha, an Irish noblewoman and landowner from the 16th century.

In more recent times, Meaghan Oppenheimer (born 1968) is an American writer and co-founder of the non-profit organization "The Babybox Company." Meaghan Rath (born 1986) is a Canadian actress known for her roles in the TV shows "Hawaii Five-0" and "New Girl." Meaghan Penlington (born 1989) is a former Australian rules football player who played for the Adelaide Crows in the AFL Women's competition.

Meaghan Morin (born 1989) is a Canadian professional wrestler and former Olympic weightlifter. Meaghan Martin (born 1992) is an American actress best known for her role in the Disney Channel series "Camp Rock."