name
Common
Megan
MEH-guhn
Megan (name) means a female given name, originally a Welsh short form of Margaret. Example: “Megan moved to Cardiff to study Welsh literature.”
name
1
A female given name, originally a Welsh short form of Margaret.
"Was it true that twenty-six years had passed, or had he dreamed and awakened to find Megan waiting for him by the big apple tree?"
— John Galsworthy (1916)
"Megan moved to Cardiff to study Welsh literature."
"It ended in the most excruciating way for Megan Rapinoe: a penalty kick skied over the crossbar, shock, disappointment, a rueful smile to herself."
— Jeré Longman, For Megan Rapinoe, an Ending Not Even She Could Have Imagined (2023)
How to use Megan
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA common female first name of Welsh origin.
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_____ moved to Cardiff to study Welsh literature.
Etymology
Borrowed from Welsh, as a pet form of Margaret, which ultimately traces back through Greek and Persian roots.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for Megan
See all rhymes for Megan →Frequently asked questions
What does “Megan” mean?
The word “Megan” means a female given name, originally a Welsh short form of Margaret. In plain terms, a common female first name of Welsh origin.
How do you pronounce “Megan”?
“Megan” is pronounced MEH-guhn (/ˈmɛɡən/ in IPA).
How do you use “Megan” in a sentence?
Here is “Megan” used in a sentence: “Megan moved to Cardiff to study Welsh literature.”
What part of speech is “Megan”?
“Megan” is a name.
Where does the word “Megan” come from?
The word “Megan” comes from Persian. Borrowed from Welsh, as a pet form of Margaret, which ultimately traces back through Greek and Persian roots.
Is “Megan” a common word?
“Megan” is a fairly common word in modern English.
Is Megan short for Margaret?
Yes, Megan began as a Welsh diminutive or short form of Margaret before becoming a popular given name in its own right. Over time it has been used independently, without necessarily implying a connection to someone named Margaret.
How do you spell Megan versus Meagan or Meghan?
Megan, Meagan, and Meghan are all accepted spelling variants of the same Welsh-derived given name. The choice between them is largely a matter of personal or family preference rather than differing meaning.
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