The Welsh name Megan originated as a pet form of Margaret. The name Margaret can be traced back to the Latin word for pearl.

Megan is a common name not only in Wales, but in other countries as well. For instance, it became a very popular baby name in America during the last quarter of the 20th century, after entering the top 1,000 in only 1952. It became a top-100 name in 1975 and even reached the top 10 three times (in 1985, 1992 and 1994). By 2008, it had dropped back down to 100th place.

The most accurate way to say "Megan" is to pronounce it so that the first syllable rhymes with the word egg. As the name has traveled around the world, though, several alternative pronunciations (i.e. MAY-gan, MEE-gan) have evolved. Myriad spelling variations have popped up as well:

Meghan, Meggan, Meagan, Meaghan, Meaggan, Maegan, Maeghan, Maeggan, Meegan, Meeghan, Meeggan, Maygan, Mayghan, Mayggan

Famous people named Megan include:

• Meagan Good (born in 1981), American actress.


• Meaghan Jette Martin (born in 1992), American actress.


• Megan Fox (born in 1986), American actress.


• Megan Mullally (born in 1958), American actress.


• Meggin Cabot (born in 1967), American writer.