Meaghann

Meaning & origin

Meaghann is a modern spelling variant of Megan, a name that gained popularity in the United States during the late 20th century. The earliest recorded use of this particular spelling in Social Security data dates to 1978. While the standard form Megan has remained common, Meaghann has always been far less frequent and has never appeared in the national top 1000 rankings. Its usage peaked in 1988, reflecting the general popularity of Megan and its variants during that decade. Since then, the trajectory of Meaghann has been stable, with very few births each year. The name is firmly associated with girls and is predominantly found in English-speaking countries. Its creative spelling reflects a broader trend of phonetic respellings that emerged in the late 1900s, often influenced by Irish or Gaelic styling. Meaghann remains a rare choice, with no recorded births in many years, and has not been linked to any top states or significant regional concentration.

Meaghann is a modern respelling of Megan, itself a Welsh diminutive of Margaret, which derives from the Greek margarites, meaning 'pearl'. The name Megan became widespread in English-speaking countries in the mid-20th century, and creative spellings like Meaghann emerged later, particularly in the United States. The variant saw its peak usage in 1988, but remained relatively uncommon.