Morgan is a name of Welsh origin that means "sea-born" or "circuit". It is believed to have originated from the Welsh word "morf" which means sea, and the suffix "-gan", meaning born or created.
The name Morgan has been used for both males and females since the Middle Ages. In Wales, it was traditionally a male name, but in English-speaking countries, it became popular for girls in the late 20th century. Today, Morgan is more commonly associated with females than males in many parts of the world.
One of the most famous historical figures named Morgan was Morgan ap Tuder ap Iorwerth, a Welsh prince who lived in the 13th century. He played a significant role in the resistance against English rule during that time.
The name Morgan has also been used by several notable individuals throughout history, including American actors such as Morgan Freeman and Morgan Fairchild, British musician Morrissey (whose real name is Steven Patrick Morrissey), and Australian tennis player Morgan Lafferty.
Despite its Welsh origins, Morgan has become a popular name in many countries around the world. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, Morgan was one of the top 100 names for girls between 1986 and 2019, while it was one of the top 1,000 names for boys during the same period.
In summary, Morgan is a name of Welsh origin that means "sea-born" or "circuit". It has been used for both males and females since the Middle Ages but became more popular for girls in English-speaking countries in recent decades. Notable figures named Morgan include Welsh prince Morgan ap Tuder ap Iorwerth, actors Morgan Freeman and Morgan Fairchild, musician Morrissey, and tennis player Morgan Lafferty. Today, Morgan is a popular name around the world despite its Welsh origins.
The name Morgan has a rich history of usage in the United States, with fluctuations in popularity over time as indicated by the annual birth statistics from 1880 to 2023.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the number of births with the name Morgan was relatively low, ranging from a minimum of 16 births in 1901 to a maximum of 78 births in 1912. However, starting around the 1940s, there was a significant increase in the usage of this name.
The post-World War II era saw a steady rise in the popularity of Morgan as a baby name, with more than 100 births each year from 1946 onwards. The highest point during this period was reached in 1959, with 223 births that year.
During the 1960s and 1970s, Morgan's popularity continued to grow, peaking at 370 births in 1977. This trend continued into the 1980s, with a record-breaking number of 936 births in 1990.
The 1990s saw a slight decrease in popularity for Morgan, but it remained a popular choice nonetheless, with over 800 births each year from 1992 to 1999. The turn of the century brought another increase in popularity, with a peak of 1,011 births in 2004.
Despite some fluctuations in recent years, Morgan has remained a popular choice for parents in the United States. In 2021, there were 455 births with this name, and it continues to be among the top 500 most popular baby names each year since 2008.
In conclusion, while Morgan may not have been extremely common throughout its entire history of usage in the United States, it has undoubtedly become more prevalent over time. Its popularity has waxed and waned since the mid-20th century, but overall, Morgan remains a well-loved and enduring choice for baby names among American parents.