Megyn
A feminine name derived from the Celtic word "mugen" meaning "vigorous".
Name Census estimates that about 453 living Americans carry the first name Megyn. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Megyn today is around 20 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Megyn births was 2009 (52 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Megyn. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
453
~ 1 in 756,632 Americans
Peak year
2009
52 babies that year
Average age
20
years old
2020 SSA rank
#14,517
Tracked since 1984
Popularity
Megyn: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Megyn from the 1980s through to the 2020s, spanning 5 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2000s, with 203 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 2000s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Megyn by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Megyn during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Megyns live
The SSA's state-level files cover 3 states and territories. California, Texas, Indiana recorded the most babies named Megyn, while Indiana, Texas, California recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 6 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Megyn
The name Megyn is a modern variation of the ancient Greek name Megaina, which means "great" or "mighty." This name has its roots in the word "megas," which translates to "great" or "large" in Greek. The earliest recorded use of the name Megaina dates back to the 5th century BCE, where it was mentioned in ancient Greek texts and inscriptions.
During the Byzantine era, the name Megaina was popular among the Greek-speaking population of the Eastern Roman Empire. It was often given to girls born into noble or wealthy families, as the name symbolized strength, power, and grandeur. In the 10th century CE, a Greek noblewoman named Megaina was recorded as the wife of a prominent Byzantine general.
As the name spread across Europe during the Middle Ages, it underwent various spelling changes and adaptations. In England, it emerged as the name Megan, which was derived from the Welsh form of the name, Meg. This form of the name was popularized by the legendary Welsh princess Megan, who lived in the 5th century CE and was known for her bravery and leadership.
In the 16th century, a notable figure named Megan Byles was born in England. She was a renowned herbalist and midwife who dedicated her life to helping women during childbirth. Her contributions to the field of herbal medicine and midwifery were widely recognized, and she is remembered as a pioneer in her field.
Another historical figure with the name Megan was Megan Llewelyn, a Welsh noblewoman who lived in the 13th century. She was known for her defiance against English rule and her efforts to preserve Welsh culture and traditions. Megan Llewelyn played a significant role in the Welsh resistance against the English monarchy.
In the 20th century, the name Megyn emerged as a modern variation of Megan. One notable person with this name is Megyn Kelly, an American journalist and former news anchor born in 1970. She gained widespread recognition for her work at Fox News and NBC News, where she hosted various high-profile shows and interviews.
While the name Megyn is a relatively recent variation, it carries a rich history and symbolism rooted in the ancient Greek concept of greatness and strength. From noble Byzantine women to pioneering herbalists and Welsh resistance fighters, the name has been borne by remarkable individuals throughout history, reflecting its enduring appeal and cultural significance.
People
Megyn + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Megyn as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with M
Other first names starting with M with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Megyn: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Megyn?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 453 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Megyn going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 756,632 US residents.
Is Megyn a common name?
We classify Megyn as "Very Rare". It ranks above 83.6% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 460 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Megyn most popular?
The single biggest year for Megyn was 2009, when 52 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Megyn is about 20 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Megyn a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Megyn in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.