Declining since 1986, #887 for girls today.
Popularity of Megan since 1922
Babies named Megan per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 39 |
| 1930s | 47 |
| 1940s | 191 |
| 1950s | 1,887 |
| 1960s | 5,916 |
| 1970s | 37,355 |
| 1980s | 153,500 |
| 1990s | 160,375 |
| 2000s | 66,833 |
| 2010s | 11,493 |
| 2020s | 2,429 |
Meaning & origin
Megan is a Welsh name with deep roots, derived from Margaret and meaning 'pearl'. It emerged as a given name in its own right and gained traction in the United States starting in the mid-20th century. The name first appeared in U.S. records in 1922, but its real surge came decades later. Megan peaked in 1985, when it was a top 20 name for girls, reflecting its widespread popularity during that era. Since 1986, however, usage has steadily declined, and by 2025, Megan ranked 887th, with approximately 1 in 5,340 baby girls receiving the name. Despite this fall, Megan retains a classic yet friendly feel, often associated with down-to-earth charm. Its current strongest states are Florida, Utah, and New Jersey, suggesting regional pockets of continued affection. The decline mirrors a broader shift away from names that were ubiquitous in the 1980s, but Megan remains recognizable and well-loved.
Megan originated as a Welsh pet form of Margaret, derived from the Greek margaritēs meaning 'pearl'. The name developed independently in Wales before spreading to English-speaking countries, where it gained significant popularity in the 20th century. It has been consistently used as a given name since at least the early 1900s and saw a dramatic rise in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s, peaking in 1985.
Where Megan is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Megan” around the world
Where Megan lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Ireland
11
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Meg, Meggie, Megs
Sibling names for Megan
Names that share Megan's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Lauren, Rachel, Amy, Jessica, Ashley, Alison, Allison, Amie, Angie, Ashlyn, Briana, Bridgette, Brittney, Carly, Cassie, Colleen, Crystal, Dana, Erika, Erin, Haley, Heather, Hillary, Jenna, Jillian, Kailey, Kaitlyn, Kelli, Kelly, Kelsey, Kendra, Krista, Kristen, Kristin, Lacey, Laurie, Lauryn, Leslie, Lindsay, Lindsey, Nikki, Shana, Shanna, Shelby, Shelly, Taryn, Tiffany, Trisha, Wendy, Whitney, Abbey, Alishia, Allyson, Alysha, Andra, Ashely, Ashli, Ashlie, Ashly, Breana, Breann, Breanne, Breeanna, Bridgett, Britany, Britney, Britny, Brittani, Britteny, Brittni, Brittnie, Bryana, Caitlin, Caitlyn, Carisa, Carleigh, Carley, Catrina, Cayla, Chelsey, Christen, Ciera, Cori, Cortney, Danni, Deidra, Eryn, Gwen, Gwyneth, Hailie, Hayley, Jackeline, Jacklyn, Jaclyn, Jaimee, Jaimie, Jammie, Janessa, Jasmyn, Jayme, Jena, Jenelle, Jenessa, Jessi, Jordin, Julianne, Kacie, Kaitlin, Kaley, Kalyn, Karie, Karly, Kasie, Kassie, Katelin, Katelyn, Katlin, Katlyn, Kayleen, Kayley, Kaytlyn, Keily, Keli, Kellee, Kelley, Kellie, Kelsi, Keri, Kerri, Kierra, Kimberli, Kirstin, Kori, Kourtney, Kristan, Kristyn, Krysta, Kyrsten, Leigh, Linsey, Lora, Loryn, Lyndsey, Lynette, Lynsey, Markie, Nicki, Nikole, Reanna, Rhiannon, Shaina, Shalyn, Shannan, Shanon, Shavon, Shawna, Shayla, Shelbi, Shyann, Stacie, Tayler, Tori, Tracie, Trista, Allissa, Allyn, Alyshia, Amberlee, Amberlynn, Amiee, Aryn, Ashlea, Ashlei, Audrea, Aundrea, Bethanne, Breeana, Breeann, Breyanna, Briann, Brianne, Briauna, Britani, Britnee, Britni, Brittan, Brittaney, Brittny, Brookelynn, Caitlynn, Carie, Carys, Casie, Cassey, Catelyn, Catlin, Chanell, Ciarra, Corie, Cristie, Deserae, Diedre, Ellyn, Erinn, Glynis, Gwenda, Gwenyth, Gwyn, Gwynne, Jaymee, Jaymi, Jaymie, Jenee, Jeni, Jenica, Jerrica, Jesika, Jessyca, Kaileigh, Kaily, Karena, Katelynne, Katilyn, Kaycie, Keanna, Keirsten, Kellyann, Kellyn, Kelsy, Kierstin, Kimberlie, Kimberlyn, Kirstyn, Krislyn, Krysten, Krystin, Kyley, Kyli, Kymberly, Kyrstin, Laurin, Leesa, Leighanne, Leisha, Lindsy, Lyndee, Lyndsay, Lyndsie, Macayla, Mackayla, Madysen, Magen, Makaela, Marti, Micki, Mindi, Morghan, Nicol, Raeanne, Rayann, Rayanne, Rheanna, Robynn, Shalynn, Shannah, Shannen, Shaunda, Shavonne, Shawnna, Shela, Shonna, Tashina, Tausha, Taylar, Teanna, Teegan, Terrica, Teryn, Tommi, Torrie, Trish, Vannessa, Whittney, Ailen, Alacia, Aleasha, Alisyn, Allicia, Allyse, Alyissa, Asheley, Ashle, Ashlye, Bevin, Breahna, Breianna, Briahna, Brianah, Brieanne, Brigett, Britanie, Brithany, Britnie, Brittainy, Brittanny, Brittini, Bronwen, Bryann, Caitlan, Catelynn, Catlyn, Caycee, Channell, Chavon, Chrislyn, Chrislynn, Cortni, Cortnie, Courtni, Courtny, Crissa, Dacey, Dereka, Elen, Emlyn, Errin, Glenys, Glynnis, Jaimy, Jamielynn, Jamy, Jamye, Jennilee, Jesslynn, Jessyka, Jilian, Jolissa, Kaaren, Kaetlyn, Kalene, Kamie, Karee, Karlynn, Karrigan, Karys, Karyssa, Kassondra, Katee, Kateland, Kathyleen, Kayleena, Kaylinn, Kayloni, Kaylynne, Kayte, Kealey, Kelcy, Kelliann, Kellianne, Kellyanne, Kelyn, Kendrea, Keriann, Kerra, Kerriann, Kerrianne, Kerrin, Kimberlin, Kimberlynn, Kimbley, Kirstan, Koree, Korri, Korrin, Kortni, Kortnie, Kourtni, Krystan, Krystie, Krystyn, Kurstin, Kyann, Kyleen, Kymberlee, Kymberli, Laren, Laury, Leandrea, Leeana, Lessly, Liann, Lindee, Lindsi, Linzi, Lorren, Lyndsi, Lyndsy, Lynnsey, Lynsi, Lynsie, Lynzee, Lynzi, Lynzie, Machaela, Maddisyn, Maeghan, Maghan, Mallary, Melenie, Meloney, Meloni, Michae, Mikenna, Morgyn, Nacole, Nikkie, Nikkita, Nikkole, Ragen, Ramie, Rashel, Reann, Rheannon, Rhian, Sallyann, Seren, Shaena, Shaney, Shanie, Sharday, Sharissa, Sharna, Shawndra, Shawnette, Shawnie, Sheana, Sheilla, Shelsy, Sherly, Sheyanne, Shyan, Siani, Stephaney, Tarryn, Tarynn, Teghan, Terin, Tiegan, Tiffney, Timberly, Toree, Tyann, Whitnie, Wynette, Allanna, Amberlie, Amye, Amylynn, Analyssa, Ashleyann, Ashleymarie, Ashleynicole, Bethanny, Betheny, Breanah, Breeanne, Breunna, Britne, Brittane, Brittiney, Brittne, Bryttani, Bryttany, Caitlen, Cariann, Carrin, Casee, Cathlyn, Caytlin, Chelise, Cortny, Courtlyn, Dashana, Deeana, Denea, Deryn, Destaney, Dreanna, Eilyn, Falen, Genae, Glynna, Gracemarie, Gweneth, Gwenneth, Gwynneth, Hallee, Hilari, Jacci, Jacklynn, Jamielyn, Jamilee, Jaquelynn, Jayni, Jeidy, Jenalee, Jenin, Jenisha, Jennae, Jeny, Jerika, Jesscia, Jeymi, Jilliann, Johnnae, Jonee, Jyllian, Kaitlen, Kaitlinn, Kaitlyne, Kaliann, Karrin, Karrina, Kassidie, Katelan, Katelynd, Kathelyn, Kathlynn, Katilynn, Katlyne, Katryn, Kayann, Kayti, Kaytie, Keitha, Kelie, Kellye, Kerilyn, Kerryn, Keryn, Keslie, Khrista, Kimela, Korissa, Kortnee, Korynn, Krisa, Kristell, Kristyl, Kylea, Kymberlie, Leslieann, Lindsee, Lindzey, Lorrin, Lynnett, Macaela, Madisun, Malloree, Maloree, Maryl, Maryssa, Mckaela, Mckaylah, Meagon, Meggin, Meghin, Melondy, Molley, Nickol, Nikie, Raeana, Raquell, Rickelle, Ryana, Samanthajo, Shallon, Shannin, Shauni, Shavaughn, Shawni, Sheala, Taffany, Tailer, Tamber, Teighan, Alishea, Briggette, Britiany, Chelesa, Jamilynn, Jessaca, Shavonn, Shellye, Staphany, Alisen, Allesha, Alysen, Amberlea, Ashey, Ashlley, Aylssa, Bekah, Bethannie, Brandilynn, Breean, Brentney, Brettany, Briane, Britainy, Britanee, Britaney, Brittony, Briunna, Brytney, Brytni, Caitlinn, Caree, Carely, Caytlyn, Chelcey, Chelci, Chellie, Chellsea, Chelsye, Cheridan, Chrisma, Christiann, Courtnei, Crickett, Crystalann, Crysten, Danniell, Danyle, Deamber, Deannah, Devanee, Devann, Erandy, Eryca, Erynne, Haly, Hilliary, Hollyanne, Jenesa, Jennfier, Jenyfer, Jessice, Jillyn, Jyssica, Kaityln, Karess, Karilynn, Karle, Karynn, Katelee, Kateline, Katilin, Kayline, Kelicia, Kelsha, Kenlyn, Kerensa, Kerrilyn, Kery, Keyshla, Khristen, Kimberlly, Kimblery, Kimbly, Korynne, Kourtnei, Krisi, Krystn, Kyleeann, Kyleigha, Kymberley, Lauralynn, Leslea, Linday, Linsie, Lorynn, Lynsay, Lynsee, Mackensey, Makaelah, Makayle, Makinna, Malonie, Meggen, Meigan, Mikhala, Nickola, Nicloe, Nikky, Rachelann, Reanne, Rhiann, Rhiannan, Samanth, Sarahlynn, Shaiann, Shainna, Shalae, Shannia, Shawneen, Shelaine, Sheray, Shoni, Stevey, Tagan, Tamberly, Tashianna, Taylormarie, Teandra, Ticia, Tiffanni, Tiffay, Toniya, Trachelle, Whittany
Brothers: Ryan, Justin, Jason, Matthew, Brian, Adam, Aidan, Allen, Barry, Brad, Brady, Branden, Brandon, Brenden, Chris, Colin, Conner, Corey, Cory, Craig, Darren, Devin, Devon, Dillon, Douglas, Dustin, Dwayne, Erick, Garrett, Jared, Jarrett, Johnathon, Kevin, Kyle, Lloyd, Mathew, Matt, Neal, Neil, Patrick, Randall, Ross, Scott, Shane, Shaun, Shawn, Travis, Trevor, Trey, Arron, Aydan, Bradly, Brandan, Brenton, Bret, Britt, Bryon, Collin, Cyle, Dallen, Danell, Daren, Darian, Darin, Daron, Davin, Dedric, Derik, Devan, Deven, Donnell, Dustan, Garett, Garren, Howell, Jarett, Jarod, Jaron, Jarred, Jarrod, Jerod, Jestin, Keaton, Kegan, Kelvin, Ken, Kenton, Keven, Kevon, Kirk, Kurtis, Mykel, Reece, Reggie, Rhys, Trace, Trever, Tristin, Zachery, Zackary, Zackery, Bradlee, Bradon, Brain, Brandin, Brannon, Brendon, Brendyn, Brien, Byran, Chadrick, Christan, Christon, Darick, Darrian, Darryn, Daryn, Daulton, Deegan, Derrek, Derric, Derrik, Dylon, Gareth, Glendon, Glyn, Griffith, Jarad, Jaret, Jarid, Jarrad, Jarren, Jarron, Jasen, Javin, Jaycen, Jaycob, Jerad, Jered, Jerrad, Jerron, Justen, Justyn, Kaydin, Kenney, Kennth, Kenrick, Kieth, Kollin, Llewellyn, Marquette, Mychael, Mychal, Mykal, Powell, Shan, Stefon, Terron, Trevis, Trystan, Tyrel, Vaughan, Aaren, Andrick, Bevan, Bradd, Brannan, Brenten, Briant, Calob, Carvin, Chaun, Chrishawn, Christion, Collen, Collyn, Correy, Dallan, Dallon, Damean, Damin, Daran, Dason, Davyn, Deaven, Degan, Derren, Derrin, Deryk, Deveon, Devron, Dillian, Duron, Duston, Dylen, Ehren, Erek, Gerren, Gerrod, Ivor, Jaeson, Jamien, Jarrid, Jarrin, Jaryd, Jeran, Jerek, Jerick, Jerin, Jerren, Jerret, Jerrid, Jerrin, Jevin, Jhony, Justan, Kaven, Keenen, Keevin, Keivon, Kenn, Keron, Khris, Kile, Koran, Makell, Merwyn, Mykael, Obrian, Owyn, Parry, Ravon, Rees, Roben, Seanmichael, Seann, Shann, Shaughn, Shaune, Shawne, Sion, Tarren, Teran, Terren, Thimothy, Trevian, Tylyn, Tyrie, Yostin, Alanmichael, Alwyn, Atthew, Berwyn, Braian, Brenon, Brentt, Brevan, Bryen, Cevin, Chaddrick, Chadwin, Chawn, Creg, Dairon, Dalin, Darran, Desmin, Devonn, Dreden, Dyron, Garreth, Gerod, Gerrad, Gwin, Jaisen, Jaremy, Jassen, Jasyn, Jeret, Jerett, Jerrion, Johsua, Jonan, Joshuan, Kandon, Kayron, Keagon, Keegen, Keil, Kendan, Kerron, Kevyn, Korry, Machael, Mardy, Markey, Mechel, Mickell, Mitchael, Mithcell, Pryce, Rhydian, Seanpaul, Seon, Shawan, Shawndale, Shelden, Shonn, Terris, Tevyn, Timathy, Timohty, Treg, Tryone, Wyn, Zackari, Bradrick, Ryun, Shanen, Shuan, Teren, Brandonn, Branndon, Briyan, Calvyn, Criag, Darrek, Darric, Datron, Derec, Deryck, Deshannon, Devinn, Emyr, Eryck, Garan, Jaysin, Jhordan, Johnryan, Jowan, Justun, Kalvyn, Kayren, Keland, Kelwin, Korrey, Lamarco, Lloyde, Marke, Mayjor, Miken, Morgon, Morrie, Mycheal, Owain, Rodgerick, Shawnn, Steaven, Tymel
Names like Megan
Names whose popularity has moved with Megan's over the last 50 years.

