Regan Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Regan has Irish origins, meaning 'little king'. It evolved from the Old Irish 'Riagán' and has maintained its form through the centuries. Regan is associated with strength and leadership, although it does not have biblical relevance. The name has gained popularity in the 20th century and is viewed positively in contemporary culture.
The name Regan is most popular in Kansas, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Regan has been stalled for male in MidWest, falling for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Regan' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 7545th out of 7545 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1254th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1126th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1746th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1965th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 3095th out of 23106 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2602nd out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1037th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 922nd out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 532nd out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 1366th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Regan' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Regan"
Pronunciation
/ˈriːɡən/
Origin
Irish
Etymology
The name Regan is derived from the Irish surname 'Ó Riagáin', which means 'descendant of Riagán'. The given name Riagán is believed to be derived from the Old Irish word 'riag', meaning 'king'.
Meaning
little king
Language Evolution
Old Irish: Riagán, Middle Irish: Riagán, Modern Irish: Regan
Historical Usage
Regan gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries, as a given name for girls and boys, partly influenced by literary works such as Shakespeare's King Lear.
Variants & Derivatives
Reagan, Ríoghnach
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Regan is perceived as a modern and trendy name that evokes a sense of strength and individuality.
Famous People
Regan Smith, an American swimmer, Regan Decker, a professional athlete
Explore More Regan Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Regan"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Regan"
"Regan" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 7545th of 7545 | 5 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1254th of 7552 | 711 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1126th of 10718 | 856 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 1746th of 16616 | 682 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1965th of 24088 | 1,019 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 3095th of 23106 | 457 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 2602nd of 12526 | 360 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1037th of 19264 | 1,909 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 922nd of 27321 | 3,114 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 532nd of 35406 | 8,826 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 1366th of 30306 | 2,017 |
Regional Popularity of "Regan" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
51.50% 1147th/2227 |
56.95% 1384th/2430 |
55.84% 1593rd/2853 |
33.05% 917th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
35.41% 1040th/2937 |
60.24% 2098th/3483 |
35.99% 1266th/3518 |
32.00% 1294th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
55.28% 2037th/3685 |
55.06% 2464th/4475 |
31.27% 1624th/5194 |
41.36% 2613th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
45.77% 2097th/4582 |
43.30% 2236th/5164 |
29.62% 2166th/7313 |
38.34% 2861st/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
76.51% 3048th/3984 |
55.85% 2506th/4487 |
60.69% 4140th/6822 |
53.44% 3354th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Regan" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- |
85.51% 2078th/2430 |
- |
58.85% 1633rd/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
29.69% 872nd/2937 |
29.40% 1024th/3483 |
33.91% 1193rd/3518 |
28.71% 1161st/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
21.79% 803rd/3685 |
36.80% 1647th/4475 |
14.56% 756th/5194 |
21.50% 1358th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
8.08% 370th/4582 |
12.30% 635th/5164 |
7.33% 536th/7313 |
10.04% 749th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
27.66% 1102nd/3984 |
29.24% 1312th/4487 |
25.51% 1740th/6822 |
23.52% 1476th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Regan"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Regan" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.