MallowbyNames

Maghan

MEG-an · Variant spelling of Megan, typically meaning 'pearl'.

Peak popularity
1985
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Holding steady

Holding steady.

Popularity of Maghan since 1975

Babies named Maghan per year in U.S. Social Security records.

132639198020002020Most births 1985Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1970s40
1980s244
1990s187
2000s25
2010s0
2020s0

Meaning & origin

Maghan is a rare variant spelling of the well-established name Megan, which itself is a Welsh diminutive of Margaret, ultimately from the Greek word for 'pearl'. First recorded in the United States in 1975, Maghan experienced modest use during the 1980s, reaching its peak year of 1985. However, it has never entered the top 1,000 names and remains a low-frequency choice, with stable usage in recent decades. The variant spelling reflects the broader American trend of adapting traditional names with phonetic or simplified spellings, particularly popular in the late 20th century. While not widely used, Maghan offers a distinctive alternative for those drawn to the sound of Megan but seeking a less common form.

Maghan is a phonetic variant of Megan, which originated as a Welsh diminutive of Margaret. Margaret derives from the Greek 'margarites' meaning 'pearl'. The variant spelling Maghan emerged in the United States in the late 20th century, reflecting a trend of simplified or phonetic spellings of traditional names.

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Meg, Maggie, Mags

Variants: Megan, Meghan, Megan

Sibling names for Maghan

Names that share Maghan's style, for a brother or sister.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

M is for Maghan, our favorite little girl.

M is for Maghan…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Maghan's letter becomes Maghan's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Maghan's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Maghan mean?
Maghan is a variant of Megan, which is a Welsh diminutive of Margaret, meaning 'pearl'.
How popular is the name Maghan?
Maghan first appeared in U.S. records in 1975, but it has never ranked in the top 1,000 names. It peaked in popularity in 1985 and remains rare.
Is Maghan a boy or girl name?
Maghan is almost exclusively used for girls.