Maegan is a unique and captivating female name of Irish origin. It is derived from the Irish surname Mageean, which itself comes from the Irish word "Mag Éan" meaning "the son of the bird". This name has a rich history dating back to ancient Ireland.
The earliest record of the name Mageean can be found in the "Book of Leinster", an ancient manuscript written in the 12th century. The book contains a list of families that were considered noble and prestigious in Irish society, including the O'Mageean clan.
Over time, the name Mageean evolved into Maegan, with the addition of an 'a' to make it sound more feminine. Despite its evolution, the meaning of the name has remained unchanged, continuing to signify a connection to birds or freedom.
Today, Maegan is often used as a given name for girls, though it remains relatively rare compared to other popular names. It offers parents a unique and meaningful option for their daughter's name, with a strong historical background and an appealing sound. In summary, Maegan is a beautiful and distinctive Irish name that carries a rich history and a compelling meaning.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Maegan has seen a significant rise and fall in popularity over the years in the United States.
In the early 1970s, the name was quite uncommon with only 8 births recorded in 1970. However, it began to gain traction in the late 1970s with a notable increase from 9 births in 1977 to 123 births in 1979.
The popularity of Maegan peaked between the mid-1980s and early 1990s. In 1985, there were 387 babies named Maegan, which doubled to 764 by 1989. This trend continued into the early 1990s with a peak of 1231 births in 1992.
However, like many names, Maegan's popularity began to decline after reaching its zenith. By the late 1990s and early 2000s, the number of babies named Maegan significantly decreased from 647 births in 1995 to just 261 births in 2001.
In recent years, Maegan has become quite uncommon again with only a handful of births recorded each year. In 2022, there were only 5 babies named Maegan, and in 2023, that number rose slightly to 7 births.
Overall, while the name Maegan has seen periods of popularity, it appears that it is no longer commonly used today. However, one could argue that its rise and fall reflect broader trends in naming practices over the past few decades.