Meighan

Meaning & origin

Meighan is a respelled variant of Megan that first entered U.S. birth records in 1965, during a period when creative spellings of traditional names were gaining appeal. Its peak year came in 1988, when the name reached its highest recorded usage. Since then, Meighan has experienced a stable trajectory, never becoming extremely common but persisting as an alternative spelling choice. The name's meaning ties back to the Greek word for 'pearl' through its root Margaret, and its Welsh origin is reflected in the original form Megan. While no top states are noted for Meighan, its parent name Megan has been historically popular across the United States. Parents choosing Meighan today often value its distinctive spelling while retaining a familiar sound.

Meighan is a respelled variant of Megan, itself a Welsh pet form of Margaret. Margaret derives from the Greek margarites, meaning 'pearl', and was introduced to Britain by the Normans. Megan became popular in Wales and later throughout the English-speaking world, with spelling variations like Meighan emerging in the mid-20th century as parents sought distinctive forms.