Maegan is a unique and captivating female name of Irish origin. It is derived from the Irish surname Mageean, which itself comes from the Irish word "Mag Éan" meaning "the son of the bird". This name has a rich history dating back to ancient Ireland.
The earliest record of the name Mageean can be found in the "Book of Leinster", an ancient manuscript written in the 12th century. The book contains a list of families that were considered noble and prestigious in Irish society, including the O'Mageean clan.
Over time, the name Mageean evolved into Maegan, with the addition of an 'a' to make it sound more feminine. Despite its evolution, the meaning of the name has remained unchanged, continuing to signify a connection to birds or freedom.
Today, Maegan is often used as a given name for girls, though it remains relatively rare compared to other popular names. It offers parents a unique and meaningful option for their daughter's name, with a strong historical background and an appealing sound. In summary, Maegan is a beautiful and distinctive Irish name that carries a rich history and a compelling meaning.
The name Maegan experienced a notable rise and subsequent decline in popularity over time. It began with a slow start, with only 8 births recorded in 1970, but gained traction by the mid-70s, reaching a peak of 426 births in 1989. The following decade saw a steady decrease, dropping to 261 births by 2001. After the year 2000, Maegan became quite rare, with less than 50 births per year from 2003 onwards, and as few as 5 births in recent years like 2022. Overall, there were 9170 Maegans born between 1970 and 2023.