Regan Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: REE-gan //ˈriːɡən//
Origin: Irish; English
Meaning: Irish: 'little ruler'; English: 'descendant of Riagán'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Regan has its roots in the Old Irish name "Ríoghan," which translates to "little king" or "descendant of the king." This name is derived from the elements "rí," meaning "king," and the diminutive suffix "-an." The transition of Regan into English can be traced through the influence of the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, where many Irish names were adapted into Anglo-Norman forms, eventually leading to the modern English usage of Regan. Historically, the name Regan is associated with various figures in Irish mythology and literature.
One notable reference is in Shakespeare's play "King Lear," written in the early 17th century, where Regan is one of King Lear's daughters. This portrayal has contributed to the name's literary significance and its association with themes of power and betrayal.
The name also appears in historical texts, reflecting its use among nobility and its connection to leadership. Culturally, Regan has been linked to notions of strength and authority due to its meaning and historical associations.
The name has been embraced in various forms across different cultures, often symbolizing resilience and nobility. Additionally, the diminutive form "Ríoghan" remains popular in Irish contexts, preserving the name's heritage and connection to its royal connotations.
Overall, Regan embodies a rich linguistic and cultural history that reflects its noble origins and enduring significance.
Famous people named Regan
In this section, you will find notable people named Regan. 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 Regan who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Regan 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.
Regan Smith is a professional swimmer best known for competing in the Olympics and winning multiple national championships.
Regan R. McCook is a notable author best known for his works in the field of literature and fiction.
Fictional characters named Regan
The following list of fictional characters named Regan 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.
Regan MacNeil is a fictional character from the novel and film The Exorcist. She is a young girl who becomes possessed by a demonic entity, leading to a harrowing battle between good and evil.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Regan, 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 Regan. 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 Regan was first seen in the United States in 1946.
Regan has ranked as high as #667 nationally, which occurred in 2001, and has been most popular in Texas, California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Illinois.
In the past 5 years the name Regan has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Regan 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 Regan was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Regan (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 |
|---|---|---|
| OH | 7 | |
| TX | 7 | |
| FL | 5 |
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 Regan.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 78 |
| 2023 | 77 |
| 2022 | 121 |
| 2021 | 118 |
| 2020 | 117 |
| 2019 | 147 |
| 2018 | 160 |
| 2017 | 189 |
| 2016 | 216 |
| 2015 | 262 |
| 2014 | 238 |
| 2013 | 294 |
| 2012 | 327 |
| 2011 | 277 |
| 2010 | 390 |
| 2009 | 401 |
| 2008 | 441 |
| 2007 | 558 |
| 2006 | 518 |
| 2005 | 653 |
| 2004 | 726 |
| 2003 | 669 |
| 2002 | 737 |
| 2001 | 747 |
| 2000 | 592 |
| 1999 | 611 |
| 1998 | 615 |
| 1997 | 564 |
| 1996 | 487 |
| 1995 | 397 |
| 1994 | 365 |
| 1993 | 285 |
| 1992 | 220 |
| 1991 | 206 |
| 1990 | 162 |
| 1989 | 137 |
| 1988 | 116 |
| 1987 | 97 |
| 1986 | 101 |
| 1985 | 104 |
| 1984 | 120 |
| 1983 | 88 |
| 1982 | 82 |
| 1981 | 147 |
| 1980 | 281 |
| 1979 | 212 |
| 1978 | 189 |
| 1977 | 195 |
| 1976 | 169 |
| 1975 | 220 |
| 1974 | 188 |
| 1973 | 109 |
| 1972 | 72 |
| 1971 | 35 |
| 1970 | 35 |
| 1969 | 39 |
| 1968 | 30 |
| 1967 | 42 |
| 1966 | 47 |
| 1965 | 46 |
| 1964 | 50 |
| 1963 | 44 |
| 1962 | 31 |
| 1961 | 17 |
| 1960 | 13 |
| 1959 | 19 |
| 1958 | 16 |
| 1957 | 16 |
| 1956 | 24 |
| 1955 | 20 |
| 1954 | 15 |
| 1953 | 13 |
| 1952 | 17 |
| 1951 | 10 |
| 1950 | 13 |
| 1949 | 13 |
| 1948 | 13 |
| 1947 | 10 |
| 1946 | 6 |