What Does the Name Reagan Mean?
Reagan comes from the Irish surname Ó Riagáin, meaning 'descendant of Riagán.' The personal name Riagán is usually connected to the Gaelic word for a king or ruler, giving Reagan the popular translation 'little king,' though some sources instead link the root to a word for 'impetuous' or 'fiery.'
The Origin & History of Reagan
The Ó Riagáin family was historically associated with County Kerry and County Down in Ireland, among the many Gaelic clan names that were Anglicized into surnames like Regan and Reagan during centuries of English rule in Ireland. Its move into use as a given name is a modern American development, common to many Irish surnames absorbed into first-name use.
Popularity in the United States
Reagan has climbed steadily as a girls' name since the 1990s and 2000s, part of a broader trend of surname names — including Kennedy, Harper, and Mackenzie — being used predominantly for girls even when they began as boys' names or family surnames.
Personality & Associations
Reagan reads as confident and a little tomboyish, carrying its surname structure and short, crisp sound into a name that feels equally suited to a professional adult and an energetic child.
Nicknames & Variations
Rae is a common nickname. Regan (without the 'a') and Raegan are frequent alternate spellings families choose between.