Introduction (engaging hook about Meghan)
There are baby names that feel like they come with their own soundtrack—like you can already hear the movie trailer voiceover: “In a world where she’s destined to shine…” And then there’s Meghan, a name that somehow manages to be both polished and approachable, like the friend who can pull off a sleek blazer and knows the best late-night taco spot.
I’ll be honest: the first time I clocked the name Meghan as “more than just a name,” it was in the swirl of pop culture moments that made it impossible to ignore. Between red carpet flashbulbs, royal headlines, and the kind of celebrity-name recognition that makes you go, “Oh, I know exactly who you mean,” Meghan has become one of those names that lives rent-free in our collective brain. Not in an overexposed way—more like a classic that keeps getting reintroduced to new generations with fresh styling.
And if you’re considering it for a baby, I get the appeal. Meghan feels soft but not fragile, familiar but not boring, and modern without sounding like it was invented by an influencer during a matcha-fueled naming brainstorm. Let’s get into why this name has lasted, what it means, where it comes from, and what kind of vibe it carries in today’s celebrity-saturated world.
What Does Meghan Mean? (meaning, etymology)
Let’s start with the kind of meaning that makes me want to dramatically clutch my chest: Meghan means “pearl.” Yes—pearl, as in the luminous gem that’s literally formed through time, pressure, and patience. If you’re the kind of person who likes a baby name with a meaning that feels elegant but grounded, Meghan is serving exactly that.
Pearls have a particular energy, don’t they? They’re not loud. They’re not trying too hard. They’re quietly expensive-looking. They’re also timeless—pearls cycle in and out of trend cycles the same way ballet flats and glossy lips do. One year they’re “classic,” the next they’re “cool girl,” and somehow they’re always wearable. That’s what the meaning of Meghan gives me: a name that doesn’t need to scream to be memorable.
Etymology-wise, Meghan is commonly understood as a form connected to Welsh naming traditions (more on that in a second), and the meaning “pearl” is the headline. If you’re naming a baby, “pearl” is one of those meanings that feels like a little blessing baked into the birth certificate—pretty, precious, and quietly strong.
Origin and History (where the name comes from)
Meghan is Welsh in origin, and that alone gives it a romantic, lyrical edge. Welsh names often have this musicality—soft consonants, flowing cadence, and a sense of old-world storybook charm. Even if you’re not someone who’s deep into name origins, “Welsh” instantly makes the name feel rooted, like it has history behind it rather than being plucked from thin air.
What I love about Meghan is that it’s one of those names that can travel. It’s Welsh at the core, but it’s been embraced far beyond Wales, crossing borders and eras with ease. Some names get stuck in one very specific time capsule (you hear them and immediately picture a yearbook photo from one decade). Meghan, though? This name has been popular across different eras, which tells me it has that rare staying power.
And staying power is the real flex in baby naming. Trends move so fast now—thanks, TikTok baby-name discourse—that choosing something with multi-era appeal can feel like a little insurance policy against “Why did you name me that?” conversations in 15 years. Meghan has proven it can age up beautifully. It works for a toddler, a CEO, an artist, a senator, a stylist—whatever your kid grows into.
Famous Historical Figures Named Meghan
When we talk about “historical figures” with the name Meghan, we’re not going back to medieval manuscripts here—but we are talking about modern history in real time. The kind of history that’s documented in headlines, cultural shifts, and public conversations that everyone has an opinion about.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (1981–Present) — Actress
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (born 1981) is absolutely the biggest “history-in-the-making” Meghan. She’s widely known as an actress and became one of the most talked-about women on the planet when she entered the royal sphere. Even if you don’t follow royal news (or you actively avoid it like it’s your ex’s Instagram), you can’t deny that her presence changed the way people talk about royalty, celebrity, media, and identity.
And here’s the thing: names pick up cultural texture based on who wears them in public. Meghan as a name now carries a sense of global recognition. It’s not just “a pretty name”—it’s a name that has sat at the center of conversations about fame, tradition, reinvention, and what happens when your life becomes a headline.
From a baby-name perspective, that can feel powerful. It means the name has a certain gravitas and visibility. Whether you personally love the royal connection or prefer to focus on the name’s meaning and sound, it’s undeniably part of the modern “Meghan” story.
Megan Follows (1968–Present) — Anne Shirley Icon
Okay, let me get a little nostalgic for a second, because Megan Follows (born 1968) is a name that feels like a warm mug of tea and a rainy-day binge watch. She’s known for her role as Anne Shirley in Anne of Green Gables, which is basically comfort viewing royalty for a lot of people.
Now, yes—her first name is spelled Megan, not Meghan, but in the real world of naming, these names live in the same neighborhood. They share sound, vibe, and cultural familiarity. And Megan Follows is one of those performers whose work becomes part of people’s emotional memory. If you grew up watching Anne of Green Gables, the name Megan/Meghan might instantly feel like imagination, heart, and that soft-but-stubborn determination Anne is famous for.
I love when a name has multiple pop-culture touchpoints across different generations: one that feels like prestige nostalgia (Anne of Green Gables) and one that feels like modern global headline-making (the Duchess of Sussex). That range is a gift.
Celebrity Namesakes
If you’re naming a baby in 2026, you’re not just naming them for your family tree—you’re naming them for the world they’ll live in. And in that world, celebrity associations matter more than we like to admit. You hear a name and immediately picture a face, a vibe, a red carpet moment, or a song that got you through a breakup.
Meghan Trainor — Singer-Songwriter, Pop Hitmaker
Meghan Trainor is one of the most recognizable Meghans in music, and she’s the kind of celebrity association that feels fun, upbeat, and unapologetically pop. She’s a singer-songwriter best known for her hit single “All About That Bass.” That song was a full-on cultural moment—catchy, confident, and instantly identifiable from the first few seconds.
If you’re thinking about the “energy” a celebrity gives a name, Meghan Trainor brings a bold, mainstream, radio-ready sparkle. The name Meghan, through her, feels like someone who isn’t afraid to take up space—someone with a big personality, a sense of humor, and a willingness to be a little extra (in the best way).
And honestly? I love a baby name that can carry both elegance (remember: “pearl”) and pop punch. Meghan does both.
Meghan Markle — Actress, Duchess, *Suits* Star
Yes, we’re talking about her again because she appears here as a celebrity namesake too—and it makes sense. Meghan Markle is a celebrity figure as well as a royal figure, and before Duchess life, she was known as an actress—specifically for portraying Rachel Zane in Suits.
If you watched Suits, you already know the vibe: sharp outfits, fast dialogue, ambition, chemistry, and that glossy “I have my life together” energy we all pretend to have on Monday mornings. Meghan Markle’s Rachel Zane is part of why the name Meghan has a sleek, modern professional association for so many people. It’s not just soft and pretty—it can be sharp, capable, and polished.
And because she’s both “Meghan Markle” and “Meghan, Duchess of Sussex,” the name has a unique double identity in the public imagination: Hollywood and history, entertainment and institution, scripted drama and real-life headlines.
Popularity Trends
Here’s what the data tells us clearly: Meghan has been popular across different eras. That’s not a small thing. In baby-name land, longevity is the ultimate proof of style.
I’ve covered enough trend cycles to know that some names spike hard and then vanish. They feel cute for a minute, and then suddenly they’re the equivalent of a micro-purse: memorable, but not exactly practical long-term. Meghan doesn’t do that. Meghan is more like a great denim jacket—maybe it gets styled differently over time, but it never becomes unusable.
What “popular across different eras” signals to me:
- •It’s recognizable without being overly complicated. People know how to say it.
- •It fits multiple aesthetics. Traditional family? Artsy parents? Pop culture lovers? Meghan works.
- •It ages well. A baby Meghan becomes a teen Meghan becomes an adult Meghan without the name feeling “stuck” at one life stage.
Also, I love that Meghan lives in that sweet spot where it’s familiar but not so common that your child is guaranteed to share it with five classmates. It’s socially legible. It’s not trying to be obscure. But it still has personality.
Nicknames and Variations
If you ask me, nicknames are where a name becomes a lifestyle. They’re the intimate versions, the affectionate shortcuts, the “only my best friends call me this” side of identity. Meghan is rich in nickname potential, which makes it especially wearable for different vibes and phases of life.
Here are the nicknames provided—and they’re all genuinely cute:
- •Meg (clean, classic, a little cool-girl)
- •Megs (friendly, casual, very “group chat”)
- •Meggie (sweet, youthful, soft)
- •Meggy (playful spelling, a little quirky)
- •Mimi (adorable, stylish, feels very celeb-baby-coded)
I’m obsessed with how Meghan can be “Meg” in a boardroom and “Mimi” at home. That versatility is underrated. Some names are beautiful but rigid—there’s only one way to be them. Meghan has range. It can be buttoned-up or bubbly, depending on what your kid grows into.
And if you’re the kind of parent who loves the idea of letting your child “choose” their version of their name later, Meghan gives them options without forcing anything.
Is Meghan Right for Your Baby?
This is the part where I stop being purely a pop culture maven and get a little personal—because choosing a baby name is emotional. It’s not just branding. It’s a wish. It’s a story you’re writing before you even meet the person.
So, is Meghan right for your baby? Here’s how I’d think about it if you were sitting across from me, iced coffee in hand, asking for the real tea.
Choose Meghan if you want a name that’s classic but not dusty
Meghan has that multi-era popularity that makes it feel safe—in a good way. Not “safe” like boring. “Safe” like enduring. Like you’re giving your child a name that won’t feel like a trend artifact.
Choose Meghan if you love meaning that’s elegant and emotionally resonant
The meaning “pearl” is just… beautiful. It carries softness, rarity, and resilience. It’s a meaning that feels like it will still matter when your child is older and asks, “Why did you pick my name?”
Choose Meghan if you enjoy a name with pop culture presence
Between:
- •Meghan Trainor, singer-songwriter with the hit “All About That Bass”
- •Meghan Markle, actress who portrayed Rachel Zane in Suits
- •Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (1981–Present), a modern figure who’s undeniably shaped public conversation
- •And the adjacent cultural warmth of Megan Follows (1968–Present) as Anne Shirley in Anne of Green Gables
…you’re not naming into a void. You’re naming into a living, breathing cultural landscape.
Think twice if you want a name with zero associations
I’ll keep it real: Meghan is not an anonymous name. It comes with recognizable references. For some parents, that’s a plus—instant familiarity, a little star power. For others, you might want something more under-the-radar. There’s no wrong answer, but it’s worth considering your comfort level with the name being “known.”
My personal verdict
If you want a name that feels timeless, feminine, and flexible, Meghan is genuinely a gorgeous choice. It has meaning (“pearl”), heritage (Welsh origin), nickname potential (from Meg to Mimi), and pop culture relevance without feeling like you named your child after a passing trend.
And maybe this is the entertainment journalist in me talking, but I love that Meghan can hold both softness and strength. A pearl isn’t loud—but it’s precious. It doesn’t beg for attention—but it catches the light anyway.
If you’re looking for a name that can grow with your child and still feel like a little bit of magic every time you say it, Meghan is a yes—the kind of yes that feels like it’ll still make your heart squeeze years from now when you call it from the doorway and they turn around.