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

Popularity of Meghan by gender

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

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 205 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Meghan.

The history of the first name Meghan

The name Meghan is derived from the Hebrew name Megan, which means "pearl" or "precious stone." It is a variant of the name Margaret, which also has Hebrew origins and means "pearl." The name Meghan likely emerged as a diminutive or pet form of Margaret in the Middle Ages.

The earliest recorded use of the name Meghan dates back to the late 16th century in England. One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Meghan Burtenhsaw, a seamstress who lived in London in the late 1500s.

In the 17th century, the name Meghan appeared in several religious texts and historical records. One notable example is Meghan Llewelyn, a Welsh poet and Baptist minister who lived from 1617 to 1689. Her collection of religious poems, titled "Hymns of Grace," was widely read in her time.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the name Meghan gained popularity among the upper classes in England and Ireland. One famous bearer of the name was Meghan Fitzwilliam, a British aristocrat and philanthropist who lived from 1760 to 1835. She was known for her charitable work and her support of various educational initiatives.

In the 20th century, the name Meghan became more widely used in various English-speaking countries. One notable individual with this name was Meghan Aguglia, an American actress and dancer who appeared in several Broadway productions in the 1940s and 1950s. Another was Meghan O'Rourke, an American writer and literary critic who was born in 1976 and is known for her memoir "The Long Goodbye," which explored her experience of grieving the loss of her mother.

Other notable individuals named Meghan throughout history include Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex and wife of Prince Harry (born 1981); Meghan Trainor, an American singer-songwriter known for hits like "All About That Bass" (born 1993); and Meghan McCain, an American television host and author who is the daughter of former US Senator John McCain (born 1984).

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

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

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