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Morrigan

♀ Girl

Morrigan Pronunciation

Morrigan is pronounced MOR-ih-gən /ˈmɔr.ɪ.ɡən/High

Meaning: From Irish Mór-Ríoghain, 'great queen' or 'phantom queen' — the shape-shifting goddess of war and fateMedium

In 30 seconds: The phantom queen herself: Morrigan is the shape-shifting Irish goddess of war and fate, who flew over battlefields as a crow. Dark, regal, and magnificently mythic.

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Origin MediumIrish

MeaningFrom Irish Mór-Ríoghain, 'great queen' or 'phantom queen' — the shape-shifting goddess of war and fate

U.S. rank (2024)#3788 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births40 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2023

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,075

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

History & Origin

Morrigan comes from Irish Mór-Ríoghain — read as 'great queen' or 'phantom queen' (scholars debate the first element) — the goddess of war, fate, and sovereignty who haunts the Ulster Cycle. A bold mythological choice in the dark-academia naming wave.

In the U.S. it is rare, chosen for its mythic gravitas. Great-queen at the root, crow-winged, and striking.

Did you know? The Morrígan could become a crow, an eel, a wolf, or a maiden — and her appearance over a battlefield foretold its outcome; even the hero Cú Chulainn couldn't escape her.

Overall data confidence 72%

Behind the Name — Morrigan — etymology debated

Variations

MorríganMorganMorrighan

Nicknames

MoriRigan

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Morrigan…

Morgan— the everyday name sharing its aura

Maeve— a fellow fierce Irish queen-name

Rhiannon— the Welsh goddess companion

Freya— another goddess name in modern favor

→ See all names like Morrigan

Browse the whole category: All Irish names → · All origins →

Frequently Asked

How do you pronounce Morrigan?

Morrigan is pronounced MOR-ih-gən (/ˈmɔr.ɪ.ɡən/). Press play above to hear Morrigan said aloud.

How do you say Morrigan?

Morrigan is said MOR-ih-gən (/ˈmɔr.ɪ.ɡən/). Press play above to hear Morrigan said aloud.

What does the name Morrigan mean?

Morrigan is from Irish Mór-Ríoghain, 'great queen' or 'phantom queen', the war goddess; the first element is debated.

Is Morrigan a boy or girl name?

Morrigan is a girl's name.

How popular is Morrigan?

Morrigan is a rare name in the U.S.