Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Morgan

We expected the name Morgan to have a pretty straight-forward meaning and a simple etymological history. Not so. Turns out, the name has many possible origins; all of which are quite interesting! It’s pretty certain that the name Morgan is the anglicized version of the masculine Old Welsh name “Morcant” which is possibly derived from the Welsh word “mor” (sea) and the Old Celtic word “cant” (circle, completion). In the female version of the name, some etymological sources associate Morgan with the goddess of war, fate and death in Celtic mythology, Morrígan. In this instance, the name is derived from the Old Irish words “mór” (great) and “rígan” (queen) yet the Celtic goddess is more commonly (and aptly) referred to as the “Phantom Queen” (which apparently is supported by older and stronger etymological evidence). Still other sources say the name Morgan is related to the more modern Irish word “móraigeanta” (magnanimous, high-minded, generous). Today, the name Morgan continues to be used as a boy’s name in Wales and Brittany (the northwest Celtic region of France). However, it’s a more widely used girl’s name in the United States, Canada and Scotland.

All About the Baby Name – Morgan

Personality

OF THE UNISEX NAME MORGAN

The number Five personality loves the excitement of life and can easily adapt to all situations. As natural adventurers, these personalities thrive on the new and unexpected and prefer to be in constant motion. It makes them feel alive. They'll stir up some action if there's not enough around, and as inherent risk-takers they enjoy pushing the envelope. Naturally rebellious, the Five personality has no fear and never resists change.  Traveling and new experiences feed their souls. Fives are very social and attract friends with ease. People love to be around the Five fun-loving and exciting energy.  This is also a lucky number in numerology (like the Threes), so fortune seems to shine on them, helped along by their own optimism and good-nature. Fives have a quick wit, a cerebral mind, and are generally very persuasive. 

Popularity

OF THE UNISEX NAME MORGAN

The name Morgan in America is used for either gender, but it is much more commonly bestowed upon baby girls today. For boys, the name has been around for over 100 years, but in only moderate to low usage. For girls, Morgan first makes her appearance on the U.S. popularity charts in 1976. It only takes the name eleven years to achieve a spot on the Top 100. At this point, the name becomes essentially female. American parents are now nine times more likely to give the name to their daughters than to their sons. Nonetheless, Morgan retains its androgynous resonance, so it continues to work for either gender.

Quick Facts

ON MORGAN

GENDER:

Unisex

ORIGIN:

Celtic

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

2

RANKING POPULARITY:

N/A

PRONUNCIATION:

MORE-gahn

SIMPLE MEANING:

Sea circle, Phantom Queen, magnanimous

Characteristics

OF MORGAN

Freedom-loving

Adventurous

Adaptable

Intellectual

Easygoing

Progressive

Sensual

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Morgan

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME MORGAN

Morgan the fairy is a magical creature from folklore, particularly early Welsh mythology. She first appears in print in Geoffrey of Monmouths’s 1150 work, Life of Merlin, and takes up her most popular manifestation as the sorceress of Arthurian legend. In Chretien de Troyes’ 1170 romance, Erec and Enide, Morgan is also characterized as the half-sister of King Arthur, with magical healing powers. In this role, she serves as a healer to Arthur when he is taken to Avalon after being wounded in battle. She is fleshed out in a more sinister incarnation by Thomas Malory in Le Mort d’Arthur, in which she apprentices to Merlin in order to master sorcery and to take revenge upon Guinevere, who has banished Morgan from court for her adulterous affairs. Typically, Morgan is portrayed as a manipulative villainess who is determined to unseat Arthur and Guinevere; this appears to have been the direct result of Christian influence, wherein a sorceress, a dabbler in the magic arts, simply cannot also appear as a good and virtuous woman. By the last quarter of the twentieth century, however, Morgan was beginning to be seen as a powerful symbol of feminist strength and benevolence, intent upon finding justice in a lopsided world – and this is exactly how we see her, too!

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME MORGAN

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Morgan


Popular Songs

ON MORGAN

We cannot find any popular or well-known songs with the name of Morgan


Famous People

NAMED MORGAN

Morgan Fairchild (actress)
Morgan Freeman (actor)
Morgan le Fay (Celtic legend)
Morgan Fairchild (actress)
Morgan Freeman (actor)
Morgan Fairchild (actress)
Morgan Freeman (actor)

Children of Famous People

NAMED MORGAN

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Morgan

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME MORGAN

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Morgan