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

Popularity of Megan by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Megan is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 100% of people named Megan being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 414 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Megan.

The history of the first name Megan

The name Megan is a Welsh feminine given name derived from the Welsh word "meg," meaning "pearl" or "precious stone." It is believed to have originated in the Middle Ages, possibly as a diminutive form of the name Margaret.

Megan has its roots in the Celtic languages and was initially popular in Wales and other parts of Britain. The name's earliest recorded use dates back to the 12th century, when it was found in Welsh genealogical records.

One of the earliest known historical figures with the name Megan was Megan ferch Dafydd, a Welsh noblewoman who lived in the 14th century. She was the daughter of Dafydd ap Gruffydd, a prominent Welsh leader during the Wars of Independence against the English.

Another notable Megan from history was Megan Gwynn, a 16th-century Welsh folk hero and outlaw. According to legend, she robbed from the wealthy and gave to the poor, earning her the nickname "Megan the Fair."

In the 17th century, Megan Lloyd (1627-1690) was a Welsh Baptist minister and one of the founders of the Baptist movement in Wales. She played a significant role in establishing Baptist churches and promoting religious freedom in the region.

During the 18th century, Megan Vaughan (1715-1768) was a Welsh botanist and naturalist who made significant contributions to the study of plants and their medicinal properties. She was known for her extensive knowledge of local flora and her efforts to preserve traditional Welsh plant remedies.

In more recent times, Megan Shaughnessy (1938-2006) was an American actress and director who appeared in numerous television shows and films throughout her career. She was best known for her role as Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan in the classic film "MAS*H."

These are just a few examples of the rich history and notable figures associated with the name Megan. Throughout the centuries, this name has maintained a strong connection to its Welsh origins while gaining popularity around the world.

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 Megan was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!