Reagan is a unisex given name of Irish origin. It is derived from the Irish surname Ó Raghallaigh, which comes from the Old Irish word "Ragallach," meaning "little bright-headed." This nickname was likely given to someone with light hair or a cheerful temperament.
The name Reagan has been used as both a boy's and girl's name throughout history. In Ireland, it has traditionally been more common for boys, but in recent years, its usage has become more gender-neutral in other countries such as the United States.
One famous bearer of this name is Ronald Reagan, who served as the 40th President of the United States from 1981 to 1989. However, his first name was actually Ronald, not Reagan, which he used professionally. The name Reagan gained popularity for baby girls in particular after it was chosen by actress Charisma Carpenter and her husband Evan Longoria in 2015.
Overall, the name Reagan has a strong Irish heritage and a unique meaning that makes it appealing to parents looking for an uncommon yet meaningful name choice for their child.
The name Reagan experienced significant growth in popularity from the mid-1970s onwards, with a notable spike starting around 1994. It reached its peak in 2005 and maintained high levels of usage until around 2018, after which it began to decline slightly.