Home › Baby Names Directory › Morgan

Morgan

♂ Boy

Pronounced MOR-gun /ˈmɔːr.ɡən/High

Meaning: From Welsh Morgan, composed of mor ('sea') and cant ('circle') or gen ('bright, shining'), giving meanings of 'sea circle,' 'sea brightness,' or 'great brightness'; a name of Brittonic Celtic origin used across Wales and in Arthurian legendHigh

In 30 seconds: Morgan is a strong Welsh name meaning 'sea brightness' — borne by Arthurian sorceresses and Welsh kings alike. Listed here for boys, it is one of the quintessential unisex names of modern naming.
💕 Browse more names
Origin HighWelsh
MeaningFrom Welsh Morgan, composed of mor ('sea') and cant ('circle') or gen ('bright, shining'), giving meanings of 'sea circle,' 'sea brightness,' or 'great brightness'; a name of Brittonic Celtic origin used across Wales and in Arthurian legend
U.S. rank (2025)#559 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births532 boys (0.03% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1995
Total births (all-time)≈ 45,642

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199518802025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Morgan is a Welsh name from Brittonic Celtic roots, composed of mor (sea) and either cant (circle) or gen (bright), with the most common interpretation being 'sea brightness.' It was a name of Welsh princes and appears in Arthurian legend in the form of Morgan le Fay. It entered English use through Welsh and Cornish cultural contact.

Morgan has been used for both males and females in the United States since at least the mid-20th century. For boys it climbed to the top 100 in the 1980s and 1990s. Actress Morgan Fairchild and the growing use for girls shifted the gender balance, and in the early 21st century it has trended more female. However, it remains in the top 200 for boys and continues to be used across genders. Actor Morgan Freeman has maintained the name's male stature.

Did you know? Morgan le Fay, the enchantress of Arthurian legend who is sometimes the keeper of Avalon and sometimes Arthur's nemesis, made this Welsh name one of the most evocative in medieval literature — blending sea-magic with feminine power.
Overall data confidence 88%
Behind the Name — Morgan — etymology and Welsh historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

MorganneMorghan

Nicknames

Morg

Famous Bearers

  • ★Morgan Freeman (1937–present)
    American actor and Academy Award winner for Million Dollar Baby, one of the most recognized voices in film.

If you like Morgan…

Trevor— shares the Welsh Celtic origin and the same confident two-syllable surname-name feel
Griffin— Welsh mythological name with the same Celtic heritage and rugged, strong character
Emrys— deeply Welsh Arthurian boys' name with the same ancient Celtic legendary resonance
Rhys— short Welsh boys' name with the same Celtic identity and the same cross-gender possibility

Frequently Asked

What does the name Morgan mean?

Morgan comes from Welsh mor (sea) and gen (bright), meaning 'sea brightness' or 'sea circle.' It is a Celtic name with Arthurian legendary roots.

How do you pronounce Morgan?

It is said MOR-gun — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Morgan a boy or girl name?

Morgan is genuinely unisex. It trends slightly female in the U.S. but remains widely used for boys, especially in Welsh, British, and Celtic heritage communities.

How popular is Morgan?

Morgan ranks in the U.S. top 200 for boys and is also common for girls, making it one of the most balanced genuinely unisex names in the top charts.