Welsh pet form of Margaret, meaning 'pearl.'
Megan is a Welsh name with a long and surprisingly layered history. It began as a pet form of Margaret, which ultimately comes from the Greek margarites, meaning "pearl." In Welsh usage, forms like Meg, Megan, and related diminutives developed naturally through speech and affection until Megan became established in its own right.
What started as a nickname gradually acquired full-name status, especially in Wales, where its sound felt both native and warmly familiar. The result is a name that combines a humble Welsh domestic history with a classical jewel-like meaning inherited from Margaret. Megan spread far beyond Wales in the 20th century, becoming especially popular in the English-speaking world from the 1970s through the 1990s.
For a time it was one of the defining names of its generation, helped by its simplicity, friendliness, and balance between softness and clarity. Notable bearers in entertainment, sports, and public life have kept it visible, and in recent years the name has also been associated with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, whose alternate spelling revived attention to the wider name family. In literature and film, Megan has often been used for characters meant to feel relatable, bright, and contemporary.
Its perception has evolved from regional diminutive to mainstream favorite, and now, as fashions cycle, it carries a slight vintage note for younger generations. That gives it a new charm: recognizable, grounded, and less flashy than many trend-driven names. Because its root meaning is "pearl," Megan quietly carries an old symbol of beauty formed over time. It is a name that has traveled from Welsh hearths to global popularity without losing its sense of warmth and steadiness.