Megan

Updated: October 10, 2023 by Olivia Mittak

Megan was a top 10 name in the 1980s and 1990s, but it's falling out of favor pretty quickly. While it started as a pet name for Margaret, it's developed into a given name in its own right. And while it's now on the opposite end of the list of the top 1,000 baby names in the United States, you can freshen it up with a cool middle name, like Luna or Evangeline.

Meaning and Origin of the Name Megan:

Megan is a Welsh nickname for Margaret. Margaret is derived from the Hebrew word for “pearl”. Margaret comes from the Greek “margarites”. In addition to pearl, this name can mean “great, mighty”. These alternative meanings are also connected to the name's Greek roots.

Symbolism of the Name Megan:

The name Megan means “pearl,” which, of course, is an object used frequently in jewelry. The pearl has many meanings to many groups of people. In the New Testament of the Bible, Jesus compares heaven to a pearl. The Quran mentions that people who go to paradise will be adorned with pearls. Pearls are often mentioned in a positive way throughout Hindu scriptures. The pearl is often a symbol of perfection and incorruptibility.

Nicknames for the Name Megan:

Megan is often shortened to just Meg, but there are a lot of other nicknames to choose from if that doesn't suit your fancy. Here's the complete list:

Meg
Meggie
Megs
Meggers
Ann
Annie
Anna
Maggie
Mags
Megsie
Megs-a-million
Eggie

Style of the Name Megan:

Modern

Gender of the Name Megan:

Megan is a girl's name.

Pronunciation of the Name Megan:

MEH-gan, MEE-gan or MAY-gan

Number of Syllables in the Name Megan:

Two

Emotion Evoked From the Name Megan:

Like the pearl, Megan evokes images of strength and perfection.

Alternative Spellings for the Name Megan:

Meghan
Meagan
Meaghan
Megyn
Maegan

Popularity of the Name Megan:

Megan first made the list of the top 1,000 baby names in the United States during the 1950s, but it skyrocketed to the top 10 during the 1980s. As of 2022, it ranked at number 729, according to the Social Security Administration.