Morgan Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MOR-gun //ˈmɔːrɡən//
Origin: Welsh; English
Meaning: Welsh: sea circle; English: bright, shining
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Morgan has its roots in the ancient Welsh language, derived from the elements "mor" meaning "sea" and "gan" meaning "born of" or "from." This etymology suggests a literal interpretation of Morgan as "born of the sea" or "sea-born." The name was originally used as a masculine given name in Wales, but over time, it has evolved into a unisex name, gaining popularity for girls particularly in the English-speaking world. The transition into English occurred through the Norman influence in the 11th century, as the Normans brought many Welsh names into wider usage following their conquest of England.
Historically, the name Morgan has been associated with notable figures, including the legendary Morgan le Fay, a powerful enchantress in Arthurian legend, who is often depicted as a complex character with both benevolent and malevolent traits. The popularity of Arthurian tales during the medieval period, particularly in the 12th century with works like Geoffrey of Monmouth's "Historia Regum Britanniae," helped to cement the name's place in cultural consciousness.
Additionally, the name appears in various forms in literature and folklore, contributing to its enduring legacy. Culturally, Morgan has been embraced in various traditions, often symbolizing strength and independence.
The name has been used in various contexts, from literature to modern media, reflecting a sense of versatility and adaptability. In some cases, the diminutive form "Morgie" has been affectionately employed, although it is less common in historical texts.
Overall, Morgan's rich linguistic roots and historical significance have contributed to its lasting resonance across cultures and eras.
Famous people named Morgan
In this section, you will find notable people named Morgan. 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 Morgan who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Morgan 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.
Morgan Freeman is an actor and narrator best known for The Shawshank Redemption, Million Dollar Baby, and Driving Miss Daisy.
Morgan Wallen is a country music singer and songwriter best known for his albums If I Know Me, Dangerous: The Double Album, and his hit singles like Whiskey Glasses.
Morgan Fairchild is an actress best known for her roles in Falcon Crest, Dallas, and the soap opera Days of Our Lives.
Morgan Spurlock is a documentary filmmaker best known for Super Size Me, Where in the World Is Osama Bin Laden?, and The Greatest Movie Ever Sold.
Morgan Saylor is an actress best known for her role in Homeland, as well as her work in the film White Girl.
Morgan Parker is a poet and author best known for her poetry collections There Are More Beautiful Things Than Beyoncé and Magical Negro.
Fictional characters named Morgan
The following list of fictional characters named Morgan is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Morgan le Fay is a fictional character from Arthurian legend and various adaptations. She is often portrayed as a powerful sorceress and antagonist to King Arthur and his knights.
Morgan Edge is a fictional character from DC Comics, particularly in Superman stories. He is a media mogul and often serves as an adversary to Superman, using his influence to manipulate public perception.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Morgan, 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 Morgan. 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 Morgan was first seen in the United States in 1918.
Morgan has ranked as high as #59 nationally, which occurred in 1995, and has been most popular in Texas, California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York.
In the past 5 years the name Morgan has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Morgan 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 Morgan was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Morgan (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 106 | |
| CA | 105 | |
| OH | 60 | |
| GA | 49 | |
| PA | 45 | |
| FL | 45 | |
| NY | 43 | |
| NC | 40 | |
| WA | 39 | |
| IL | 38 | |
| VA | 38 | |
| NJ | 34 | |
| IN | 30 | |
| CO | 30 | |
| MA | 30 |
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 Morgan.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 1,141 |
| 2023 | 1,247 |
| 2022 | 1,383 |
| 2021 | 1,447 |
| 2020 | 1,491 |
| 2019 | 1,649 |
| 2018 | 1,759 |
| 2017 | 1,927 |
| 2016 | 2,339 |
| 2015 | 2,688 |
| 2014 | 3,006 |
| 2013 | 3,116 |
| 2012 | 3,403 |
| 2011 | 3,672 |
| 2010 | 4,076 |
| 2009 | 4,611 |
| 2008 | 5,333 |
| 2007 | 5,665 |
| 2006 | 6,495 |
| 2005 | 6,749 |
| 2004 | 7,295 |
| 2003 | 7,928 |
| 2002 | 8,433 |
| 2001 | 8,735 |
| 2000 | 9,502 |
| 1999 | 9,607 |
| 1998 | 10,217 |
| 1997 | 10,342 |
| 1996 | 10,295 |
| 1995 | 10,877 |
| 1994 | 10,655 |
| 1993 | 8,573 |
| 1992 | 7,789 |
| 1991 | 6,794 |
| 1990 | 6,047 |
| 1989 | 4,426 |
| 1988 | 3,796 |
| 1987 | 2,928 |
| 1986 | 2,477 |
| 1985 | 2,283 |
| 1984 | 2,175 |
| 1983 | 1,658 |
| 1982 | 1,716 |
| 1981 | 1,768 |
| 1980 | 1,061 |
| 1979 | 443 |
| 1978 | 258 |
| 1977 | 211 |
| 1976 | 144 |
| 1975 | 114 |
| 1974 | 95 |
| 1973 | 91 |
| 1972 | 58 |
| 1971 | 80 |
| 1970 | 75 |
| 1969 | 62 |
| 1968 | 35 |
| 1967 | 42 |
| 1966 | 34 |
| 1965 | 44 |
| 1964 | 43 |
| 1963 | 21 |
| 1962 | 14 |
| 1961 | 33 |
| 1960 | 26 |
| 1959 | 15 |
| 1958 | 22 |
| 1957 | 10 |
| 1956 | 12 |
| 1955 | 16 |
| 1954 | 11 |
| 1953 | 7 |
| 1952 | 6 |
| 1951 | 12 |
| 1950 | 5 |
| 1949 | 5 |
| 1946 | 11 |
| 1944 | 6 |
| 1937 | 5 |
| 1918 | 5 |