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 experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the years, with a notable increase starting around 1967 and peaking in 1980. From 1980 to around 2010, there was a steady decline in its popularity, after which it stabilized at lower numbers. The most recent data shows a slight uptick since 2020.