UK girl's name
Maygan
A feminine name of Old English origin, derived from the Germanic name Maigan, meaning "strength" or "power".
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.
Maygan is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Maygan 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 2001, with 4 births.
This profile covers 10 England and Wales registrations across 3 recorded years from 2001 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 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 10 living people in the UK are called Maygan. 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
- • Maygan ranked #4598 for girls in England and Wales in 2004, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2001, when 4 girls were registered as Maygan.
- • About 10 living people in the UK are estimated to have Maygan 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
2001
4 births
Estimated living
10
2026
Meaning
What does Maygan mean?
The given name Maygan has its origins rooted in the ancient Gaelic language, which was predominantly spoken in Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man during the medieval period. Derived from the Old Irish word "máighdean," meaning "maiden" or "virgin," the name carries connotations of purity, innocence, and feminine grace.
One of the earliest recorded instances of this name can be traced back to the 12th century, where it appeared in the Annals of Ulster, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. The name was borne by Maygan Ní Chonchobair, a noblewoman from the influential O'Conor dynasty in Connacht, Ireland.
In the realm of literature, the name Maygan gained prominence through its association with the legendary figure of Maid Marian, the beloved companion of Robin Hood in the classic English folklore tales. While her name has been spelled in various ways, including Marian and Mariam, some scholars suggest that the name Maygan may have been an early variant.
Throughout the centuries, several notable individuals have carried the name Maygan. One such figure was Maygan Feeney (c. 1560-1640), an Irish poet and storyteller renowned for her contribution to the preservation of traditional Gaelic literature and oral traditions.
Another prominent bearer of the name was Maygan O'Doherty (1635-1705), an Irish chieftain and military leader who played a significant role in the Williamite War in Ireland during the late 17th century, leading the Jacobite Irish forces against the forces of King William III.
In more recent times, Maygan Elaine Derbyshire (1935-2001) was a pioneering English musician and composer, best known for her groundbreaking work with the BBC Radiophonic Workshop, where she created innovative electronic music and sound effects for numerous television and radio productions.
While the name Maygan may not be as widely used today as it once was, its historical significance and ties to Gaelic culture and literature continue to resonate, serving as a reminder of the rich tapestry of names and their enduring legacies across time and civilizations.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Maygan over time
The chart below shows babies named Maygan registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2001 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 Maygan, the clearest high point is 2001. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2004, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Maygan by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Maygan 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 | #3999 | 10 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Maygan
- 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
Maygan: questions and answers
How popular is the name Maygan in the UK right now?
In 2004, Maygan was ranked #4598 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Maygan most popular?
The peak year on record was 2001, with 4 babies registered as Maygan in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Maygan?
A feminine name of Old English origin, derived from the Germanic name Maigan, meaning "strength" or "power".
How many people are called Maygan in the UK?
A total of 10 babies have been registered as Maygan across the 3 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.