UK girl's name
Magan
An Indian masculine name derived from the Sanskrit word "magan" meaning joyful or delighted.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2004. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Magan is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Magan popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2004 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4598, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1997, with 6 births.
This profile covers 15 England and Wales registrations across 4 recorded years from 1997 to 2004. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 50% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 15 living people in the UK are called Magan. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2005 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Magan ranked #4598 for girls in England and Wales in 2004, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1997, when 6 girls were registered as Magan.
- • About 15 living people in the UK are estimated to have Magan as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4598
2004
Births in 2004
3
Latest year
Peak year
1997
6 births
Estimated living
15
2026
Meaning
What does Magan mean?
The name Magan has its roots in the ancient Sumerian language, which was spoken in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) around the 3rd millennium BCE. It is believed to be derived from the Sumerian word "ma-gan," meaning "great territory" or "high land."
In the ancient Sumerian texts, Magan was often used to refer to a region or territory, possibly located in present-day Oman or the United Arab Emirates. This region was known for its rich mineral resources, particularly copper, which was highly valued in the ancient world.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Magan can be found in the Epic of Gilgamesh, an ancient Mesopotamian poem that dates back to around 2100 BCE. In this epic, there are references to the "land of Magan" and its people.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Magan. One of the most significant was Magan the Philosopher, a Persian scholar who lived during the 9th century CE. He was renowned for his contributions to the fields of philosophy, mathematics, and astronomy.
Another historical figure with the name Magan was Magan al-Bukhari, a 10th-century Islamic scholar and jurist from Bukhara (present-day Uzbekistan). He was known for his expertise in Hadith (the recorded sayings and traditions of the Prophet Muhammad) and Islamic jurisprudence.
In the 12th century, there was a notable Persian poet named Magan Qatran, who hailed from the city of Qazvin in present-day Iran. His poetic works were highly regarded and influenced the development of Persian literature.
During the Mughal Empire in India, there was a prominent military commander named Magan Khan, who served under the Mughal Emperor Akbar in the 16th century. He was known for his bravery and military strategies in various campaigns.
Another figure worth mentioning is Magan Lal, an Indian writer and poet who lived in the 19th century. He was a pioneer of Hindi literature and contributed significantly to the development of the Hindi language and its literary tradition.
While the name Magan has ancient roots and has been used throughout history, it is essential to note that its popularity and usage may have varied across different regions and time periods. However, its connection to the ancient Sumerian culture and the rich historical references associated with it make it a fascinating name with a deep and diverse background.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Magan over time
The chart below shows babies named Magan registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 to 2004. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Magan, the clearest high point is 1997. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2004, compared with 6 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Magan by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Magan was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #4323 | 9 | 3 |
| 1990s | #2411 | 6 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Magan
- Megan 70,884
- Mia 67,204
- Molly 47,734
- Millie 44,390
- Maisie 32,671
- Matilda 29,965
- Maya 26,445
- Madison 18,441
- Maria 17,304
- Mollie 15,914
- Martha 15,116
- Maddison 14,918
FAQ
Magan: questions and answers
How popular is the name Magan in the UK right now?
In 2004, Magan was ranked #4598 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Magan most popular?
The peak year on record was 1997, with 6 babies registered as Magan in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Magan?
An Indian masculine name derived from the Sanskrit word "magan" meaning joyful or delighted.
How many people are called Magan in the UK?
A total of 15 babies have been registered as Magan across the 4 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.