Morgan first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Morgan has been for the last 50 years (from 1975 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Morgan

A unisex name of Celtic origin meaning "sea-born" or "great circle".

Popularity of Morgan by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Morgan is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 87% of people named Morgan being female.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 1,141 female babies and 560 male babies born with the name Morgan.

YearMale CountFemale Count
20245601,141
20235271,245
20225491,375
20214551,445
20203671,489
20193341,648
20183191,759
20173671,925
20164102,339
20153812,687
20144043,005
20133663,116
20124413,401
20114753,672
20104994,076
20095924,610
20087135,334
20077295,665
20068216,494
20059016,749
20041,0117,295
20037487,928
20027098,433
20017828,735
20008399,502
19998979,606
199895110,217
19971,06210,342
19961,21610,294
19951,25810,877
19941,02310,654
19938628,571
19929897,789
19919066,794
19909366,048
19898274,427
19888293,795
19877702,927
19866742,477
19856822,281
19847002,175
19836231,661
19826321,716
19817671,769
19807061,062
1979503443
1978389259
1977370211
1976304144
1975282114

The history of the first name Morgan

The name Morgan has its origins in the Welsh language and culture. It is derived from the Old Welsh word "morcant" or "morían," which means "sea-born" or "circling sea." The name was initially used to describe someone who lived near the sea or made a living from the sea.

In ancient Welsh mythology, Morgan was the name of a famous enchantress and a powerful figure associated with the realm of the fairies. She was often depicted as a healer and a protector of women, and her name carried connotations of wisdom, magic, and mystery.

The name Morgan first appeared in historical records in the 12th century, during the time of the Norman conquest of England. One of the earliest recorded individuals with this name was Morgan ap Caradog, a Welsh prince and military leader who lived in the late 12th century.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Morgan. One of the most famous was Morgan le Fay, a powerful enchantress and the half-sister of King Arthur in Arthurian legend. She was a complex figure, sometimes portrayed as a villain and other times as a benevolent healer and protector.

Another famous Morgan was Morgan Mwynfawr, a 6th-century Welsh prince and warrior who was renowned for his bravery and leadership in battles against the invading Saxons. His name, which means "Morgan the Gentle," suggests that he was respected for his chivalry and valor on the battlefield.

In the 16th century, Morgan Llwyd (1619-1659) was a Welsh poet and minister known for his religious and patriotic poetry. His works celebrated Welsh culture and language and played a significant role in preserving the nation's literary heritage.

During the American Revolutionary War, Morgan Morgan (1688-1766) was a prominent Welsh-American pioneer and military leader. He served as a colonel in the Continental Army and played a crucial role in several battles, including the Battle of Cowpens.

Another notable figure was Morgan Traherne (1636-1686), a Welsh poet and priest who wrote influential works on mysticism and spiritual enlightenment. His poems and writings explored themes of divine love, unity with nature, and the interconnectedness of all things.

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

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

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