Reagan is a name of Irish origin, meaning "little king" or "king of the sea." It is derived from the Irish surname Ó Raghallaigh, which was originally O'Reilly, meaning "descendant of Raghalach," a personal name that means "four-sided," possibly referring to someone who was brave and strong-willed.
The name Reagan has a long history in Ireland. The O'Reilly clan were one of the most powerful families in medieval Ireland, with their territory centered around Breffni, now known as County Cavan. They were known for their military prowess and political influence, and their chiefs held the title "Lord of East Breffni."
The name Reagan first became popular in the United States during the 20th century. It was used by several notable individuals, including Ronald Reagan, who served as the 40th President of the United States from 1981 to 1989. However, it is important to note that Reagan's popularity as a given name is not solely due to his presidency, but also because it has been used as a personal name in Ireland for centuries.
Reagan has continued to gain popularity in recent years and is now considered a unisex name. According to the Social Security Administration, it was one of the top 1000 names given to babies born in the United States in both 2019 and 2020. It is also popular in other English-speaking countries such as Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
In summary, Reagan is an Irish name with a rich history that means "little king" or "king of the sea." Its popularity has grown in recent years, particularly in English-speaking countries, and it is now considered a unisex name. Despite its association with former US President Ronald Reagan, the name has been used as a personal name for centuries and has many other notable bearers throughout history.
The name Reagan has seen a varied trend in popularity over the years in the United States, with significant fluctuations from one decade to another.
In the early 20th century, the name Reagan was fairly uncommon, with fewer than ten births per year between 1913 and 1941. However, starting in the mid-1940s, there was a notable increase in the number of babies named Reagan, with over 10 births recorded each year until the late 1950s.
The 1960s saw a decline in the popularity of the name Reagan, with fewer than ten births per year for much of the decade. However, this trend reversed in the early 1970s, and by the end of the decade, there were over 30 births each year.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the name Reagan remained quite popular, with an average of around 50 births per year. The peak popularity of the name came in the late 1990s and early 2000s, during which there were over 200 births each year.
In recent years, however, the popularity of the name Reagan has declined somewhat. Between 2013 and 2023, there have been an average of around 150 births per year with the name Reagan, a notable decrease from the peak popularity of the early 2000s.
Overall, while the name Reagan has seen periods of both high and low popularity over the years in the United States, it remains a widely recognized and occasionally popular choice for parents.