Meaghan Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MAY-gun //ˈmeɪɡən//
Origin: Irish; English
Meaning: Irish: pearl; English: variation of Megan
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Meaghan is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "Maolmhuire," which translates to "servant of Mary." The name is a combination of the elements "maolm," meaning "servant" or "disciple," and "Muire," a variant of "Mary," which has significant religious connotations. The transition of the name into English occurred through the anglicization of Gaelic names during the 19th century, leading to various spellings, including Meaghan, Megan, and Meghan.
Historically, the name has been associated with various figures in Irish folklore and history. One notable milestone is the use of the name in the context of the Christianization of Ireland, where names honoring saints, particularly Mary, became prevalent.
The name Maolmhuire was common among early Irish Christians, reflecting the deep-rooted cultural significance of Mary in Irish Catholicism. The name gained further recognition through its use in literature and historical texts throughout the Middle Ages, as the Irish language and its names were documented and translated.
Culturally, Meaghan and its variants have been embraced in various forms of art and literature, often symbolizing devotion and loyalty. The name's association with Mary, the mother of Jesus, imbues it with a sense of reverence and maternal qualities.
Additionally, the diminutive form "Megan" has been widely used, further illustrating the name's adaptability and enduring presence in both Irish and English-speaking cultures. Overall, Meaghan reflects a rich tapestry of linguistic evolution, historical significance, and cultural resonance that has allowed it to persist through the centuries.
Famous people named Meaghan
In this section, you will find notable people named Meaghan. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Meaghan who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Meaghan who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Meaghan Martin is an actress best known for Camp Rock, Mean Girls 2, and the TV series Awkward.
Meaghan Trainor is a singer-songwriter best known for All About That Bass, Lips Are Movin, and Like I'm Gonna Lose You.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Meaghan, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Meaghan. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Meaghan was first seen in the United States in 1955.
Meaghan has ranked as high as #670 nationally, which occurred in 1989, and has been most popular in Massachusetts, New York, California, Texas, and Illinois.
In the past 5 years the name Meaghan has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Meaghan is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Meaghan was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Meaghan.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 13 | 0 | 13 |
| 2019 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| 2018 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| 2017 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| 2016 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| 2015 | 18 | 0 | 18 |
| 2014 | 24 | 0 | 24 |
| 2013 | 23 | 0 | 23 |
| 2012 | 30 | 0 | 30 |
| 2011 | 47 | 0 | 47 |
| 2010 | 54 | 0 | 54 |
| 2009 | 68 | 0 | 68 |
| 2008 | 92 | 0 | 92 |
| 2007 | 110 | 0 | 110 |
| 2006 | 111 | 0 | 111 |
| 2005 | 140 | 0 | 140 |
| 2004 | 155 | 0 | 155 |
| 2003 | 203 | 0 | 203 |
| 2002 | 242 | 0 | 242 |
| 2001 | 293 | 0 | 293 |
| 2000 | 342 | 0 | 342 |
| 1999 | 364 | 0 | 364 |
| 1998 | 414 | 0 | 414 |
| 1997 | 448 | 0 | 448 |
| 1996 | 452 | 0 | 452 |
| 1995 | 520 | 0 | 520 |
| 1994 | 634 | 0 | 634 |
| 1993 | 564 | 0 | 564 |
| 1992 | 628 | 0 | 628 |
| 1991 | 679 | 0 | 679 |
| 1990 | 722 | 0 | 722 |
| 1989 | 744 | 7 | 737 |
| 1988 | 643 | 0 | 643 |
| 1987 | 652 | 0 | 652 |
| 1986 | 744 | 0 | 744 |
| 1985 | 633 | 0 | 633 |
| 1984 | 514 | 0 | 514 |
| 1983 | 462 | 0 | 462 |
| 1982 | 276 | 0 | 276 |
| 1981 | 340 | 0 | 340 |
| 1980 | 341 | 0 | 341 |
| 1979 | 302 | 0 | 302 |
| 1978 | 251 | 0 | 251 |
| 1977 | 112 | 0 | 112 |
| 1976 | 88 | 0 | 88 |
| 1975 | 93 | 0 | 93 |
| 1974 | 58 | 0 | 58 |
| 1973 | 62 | 0 | 62 |
| 1972 | 44 | 0 | 44 |
| 1971 | 43 | 0 | 43 |
| 1970 | 50 | 0 | 50 |
| 1969 | 34 | 0 | 34 |
| 1968 | 22 | 0 | 22 |
| 1967 | 20 | 0 | 20 |
| 1966 | 13 | 0 | 13 |
| 1965 | 15 | 0 | 15 |
| 1964 | 15 | 0 | 15 |
| 1963 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 1962 | 13 | 0 | 13 |
| 1960 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1959 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| 1955 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
Top States for Meaghan (2020)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| FL | 5 |