girls' name · peaked 1986

Meaghan

A female given name from Welsh, a pseudo-Irish spelling of the Welsh Megan.

Every Meaghan since 1955 — 14,043 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.130.250.380.518801900192019401960198020002020GirlsBoys
GirlsBoys
Rank 2025
among girls
Babies in 2025
<5
named Meaghan
Peak year
1986
744 babies
All-time total
14,043
since 1955

The story of Meaghan

Meaghan is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.

Since 1955, 14,043 American babies have been named Meaghan. Its peak came in 1986, when 744 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1980s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Meaghan stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Meaghan year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Girls Girls rank Boys Boys rank
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020 13 #8,262
2019 10 #10,228
2018 10 #10,308
2017 10 #10,466
2016 14 #8,262
2015 18 #6,896
2014 24 #5,572
2013 23 #5,772
2012 30 #4,794
2011 47 #3,442
2010 54 #3,107
2009 68 #2,698
2008 92 #2,181
2007 110 #1,891
2006 111 #1,841
2005 140 #1,498
2004 155 #1,361
2003 203 #1,089
2002 242 #926
2001 293 #807
2000 342 #690
1995 520 #475
1990 722 #367
1985 633 #368
1980 341 #546
1975 93 #1,237
1970 50 #1,794
1965 15 #3,366
1960 5 #6,992
1955 5 #6,415
1950
1945
1940
1935
1930
1925
1920
1915
1910
1905
1900
1895
1890
1885
1880

Famous people named Meaghan

  1. Meaghan Martin Actor · b. 1992
  2. Meaghan Rath Actor · b. 1986
  3. Meaghan Benfeito Athlete · b. 1989

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Meaghan mean?

A female given name from Welsh, a pseudo-Irish spelling of the Welsh Megan.

How popular is the name Meaghan in 2025?

Meaghan did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.

How many people are named Meaghan?

14,043 babies have been named Meaghan in the United States since 1955, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Meaghan most popular?

Meaghan peaked in 1986, when 744 newborns received the name.

Is Meaghan a boy or girl name?

Meaghan is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Meaghan rising or falling?

Meaghan is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Meaghan?

Well-known people named Meaghan include Meaghan Martin (actor), Meaghan Rath (actor), Meaghan Benfeito (athlete).

Names like Meaghan

Compare Meaghan with similar names →