Megan is a name of Welsh origin, meaning "gentle maiden." It is believed to have been derived from the ancient Welsh word "meg" which meant "maiden," and was often used in combination with other names to create compound names such as Megan Rhys or Megan ferch Owain.
The name Megan gained popularity during the 20th century, particularly in the United States. According to data from the Social Security Administration, it was among the top 1,000 most popular girl's names in every year between 1978 and 2018, reaching its peak popularity in 1997 when it ranked as the 34th most popular name for newborn girls.
While Megan is typically considered a female name, it can also be used as a boy's name. The name has been borne by several notable individuals throughout history, including Meg Ryan, an American actress known for her roles in films such as "When Harry Met Sally" and "Sleepless in Seattle," and Megan Fox, an American actress and model who rose to fame after being cast in the Transformers film series.
Overall, the name Megan is of Welsh origin and has a simple yet meaningful meaning. It gained significant popularity during the latter half of the 20th century and continues to be used today for both girls and boys. Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried this name, further contributing to its recognition and appeal.
The name Megan has had an interesting journey in terms of popularity over the years in the United States. Initially, it was not very common, with only 7 births recorded in 1922 and similar numbers in the following years until the late 1940s.
However, things started to change significantly from the 1950s onwards. In 1950, there were 61 births, which grew to 86 in 1951, 119 in 1952, and reached a peak of 364 births in 1960. This trend continued into the 1960s, with over 400 Megan babies born each year.
The name's popularity soared in the 1970s and 1980s. In 1975, there were 4192 births, which climbed to 9134 in 1980 and peaked at 20259 in 1990. This made Megan one of the most popular names during this period.
However, like many other names that become extremely popular, Megan's popularity started to decline from the mid-1990s onwards. By 2000, there were only 11436 births recorded, and this number continued to decrease steadily over the years.
Despite its fluctuation in popularity, the name Megan has remained relatively common in the United States. As of 2021, it had a total of 439386 births recorded since 1922, making it a well-known and loved name among American families.