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Home › Baby Names Directory › Meghan

Meghan

♀ Girl

Pronounced MEG-an /ˈmɛɡ.ən/Low

Meaning: Pearl, precious gemLow

In 30 seconds: Meghan is the Welsh spelling of Megan, itself a Welsh form of Margaret meaning pearl. This spelling became globally associated with Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, whose high-profile marriage to Prince Harry brought the name international attention.
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Origin LowWelsh, Greek
MeaningPearl, precious gem
U.S. rank (2024)#1446 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births152 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1985
Total births (all-time)≈ 96,398

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 198519522024

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Meghan is a Welsh diminutive of Margaret, ultimately from the Greek margarites meaning pearl. The Meg- form is distinctly Welsh and has been used in Wales for many generations. The -han spelling is the more elaborate variant.

Meghan gained particular prominence through the Duchess of Sussex. It sits alongside Megan, Meagan, and Meaghan as one of several spelling variants of this Welsh name family.

Did you know? Meghan Markle became Meghan, Duchess of Sussex in 2018 when she married Prince Harry. Her use of this specific Welsh spelling of the name gave it renewed cultural prominence and distinguished it from the more common Megan.
Overall data confidence 90%
Behind the Name: Megan

Variations

MeganMeaganMeaghanMegyn

Nicknames

MegMeggie

Famous Bearers

  • ★Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (b. 1981)
    American actress (Suits) and member of the British royal family as the wife of Prince Harry

If you like Meghan…

Megan— Standard spelling of same Welsh name
Morgan— Welsh name of same Celtic heritage
Paige— Two-syllable feminine name of same modern appeal
Maeve— Short Celtic name of same Welsh/Irish tradition

Explore names like Meghan

By themeclassictwo-syllablewelshroyalpearlcelebrity
By meaningJewel / Gem

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does Meghan mean?

Meghan means pearl as a Welsh form of Margaret, from the Greek margarites meaning pearl.

Why is Meghan spelled with an h?

Meghan with an h is the more elaborate Welsh spelling, distinguished from the simpler Megan. This spelling became globally associated with Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex.

How do you pronounce Meghan?

Meghan is pronounced MEG-an with two syllables.

What are nicknames for Meghan?

Nicknames for Meghan include Meg and Meggie.

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