Deegan is a name of Irish origin and it means "little fern". It is believed to have been derived from the Irish surname Ó Dúbhthaigh, which was anglicized to Deegan. The surname is thought to have originated from the Gaelic word "dubthach", meaning dark or black-haired. Over time, the name has been adopted as a given name for boys and girls alike.
The first recorded instance of the name Deegan appears in Ireland in the mid-16th century. It was likely brought over by Irish immigrants who settled in other parts of the world, such as England and America. Today, Deegan is still most commonly found in Ireland, but it has also gained popularity in other English-speaking countries.
Despite its relatively recent use as a given name, Deegan has a long history as a surname. It is believed to have been carried by a prominent family from County Galway, who were known for their musical talents and were said to be descended from the ancient Irish bardic family of the O'Dubhthaighs.
Overall, Deegan is a unique and interesting name with a rich history behind it. Its meaning, "little fern", gives it a connection to nature and the outdoors, while its Irish origins give it a sense of cultural heritage. Whether used as a given name or surname, Deegan is sure to stand out and make an impression.
The name Deegan has seen a significant rise in popularity over the past two decades in the United States. Between 1997 and 2023, there have been a total of 3279 babies born with this name.
In terms of annual trends, the number of births with the name Deegan began to increase steadily after the year 2000. From just 6 births in 1997, the figure rose to 10 in 1998 and 13 in 1999. However, it was not until 2001 that we saw a significant jump, with 35 babies named Deegan born that year.
The years 2002 to 2007 marked a period of rapid growth for this name's popularity. The number of births increased from 52 in 2002 to 177 in 2007, representing a more than threefold increase over this six-year span.
This trend continued into the next decade, with peaks in popularity occurring between 2008 and 2011. During these years, there were an average of around 230 births per year. The highest number recorded during this period was 259 births in 2011.
However, after reaching its peak, the popularity of the name Deegan began to decline gradually. From 2012 onwards, we saw a steady decrease in the number of annual births with this name. For instance, there were 164 births in 2014 and 151 births in 2017.
More recently, between 2018 and 2023, the popularity of the name Deegan has stabilized at a lower level compared to its peak years. There have been approximately 90-120 births per year during this period.
Overall, while the name Deegan experienced a significant surge in popularity during the early 2000s, it appears that its usage has since leveled off and remains relatively steady.