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

Popularity of Tegan by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Tegan is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 73% of people named Tegan being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 110 female babies and 57 male babies born with the name Tegan.

The history of the first name Tegan

The name Tegan is of Welsh origin, deriving from the Old Welsh word "tegan," which means "toy" or "plaything." It is believed to have emerged as a given name during the medieval period in Wales, potentially reflecting a sense of endearment or playfulness associated with the name's meaning.

In the Welsh language, the name is pronounced "TEG-an," with the emphasis on the first syllable. It is a unisex name, used for both boys and girls, although it has become more commonly associated with females in modern times.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Tegan can be found in the Welsh Triads, a collection of medieval Welsh literature dating back to the 13th century. Here, the name is mentioned in reference to a character named Tegan Eurvron, who is described as a skilled warrior and companion of the legendary Welsh hero, Arthur.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Tegan. One such figure is Tegan, a 9th-century Bishop of Llandaff in Wales, who played a significant role in the religious and cultural life of the region during his time.

Another prominent Tegan was Tegan Brydydd (c. 1240-1300), a Welsh poet and bard renowned for his works praising the princes of Gwynedd, a former kingdom in northwest Wales.

In more recent times, the name Tegan has been carried by several influential figures, including Tegan and Sara, a Canadian indie pop duo consisting of twin sisters Tegan Rain Quin (born 1980) and Sara Keirsten Quin (born 1980), known for their critically acclaimed albums and performances.

Another notable Tegan is Tegan Moss (born 1985), an Australian professional soccer player who has represented her country in international competitions and played for various clubs in Australia and overseas.

Tegan Higginbotham (born 1994) is a Canadian actress and singer known for her roles in television series such as "Degrassi: The Next Generation" and "The Stanley Dynamic."

While the name Tegan may have originated from a Welsh word meaning "toy" or "plaything," its historical usage and association with notable individuals have imbued it with a sense of strength, creativity, and cultural significance, particularly within the Welsh and broader Celtic traditions.

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

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

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