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 experienced significant growth in popularity over the course of a century. Starting with only 7 births per year from 1922 to 1936, it reached its peak between 1973 and 1983 with a high of 20,259 births in 1990. Since then, popularity has steadily declined, with only 414 births recorded in 2023. Overall, there have been a total of 439,386 births named Megan between 1922 and 2023.