Tegan

At a Glance

Meaning

Darling, pet

Origin

Welsh (20th-century coinage); also Irish (surname/Tadhg-diminutive)

Gender

Girl

Pronunciation

TEE-ganListen

Tegan is a girl's name that feels clean, modern, and classic all at once. It's a Welsh coinage from the 20th century, with a separate Irish route as a surname and a diminutive of Tadhg, and it means 'darling' or 'pet.' You may see it said that Tegan means 'fair, little one,' but that's not quite right: the Welsh word tegan is glossed as 'darling' or 'pet,' and the 'fair' idea likely comes from the similar Welsh word teg ('fair, pretty'). It's pronounced TEE-gan.

Meaning & Origin of Tegan

Meaning: Darling, pet.

Origin: Welsh (20th-century coinage); also Irish (surname/Tadhg-diminutive).

A common claim: Tegan means 'fair, little one' Actually: Wiktionary's gloss for the Welsh word tegan is 'darling' or 'pet,' not literally 'fair.' The 'fair' association likely comes from the similar Welsh word teg ('fair, pretty'), rather than being part of the name's actual meaning.

Source: Wiktionary.

How to Pronounce Tegan

Popularity of Tegan

Tegan peaked at #780 in 2011, when 350 girls were given the name. By 2024 it had slipped to #2060 with 94 babies, so it's a name you'll rarely meet on a playground today.

Names Like Tegan

These names share Tegan’s style, era or origin.

• Jenna
• Arwen
• Brynleigh
• Brynn
• Cai
• Carys

FAQ

What does the name Tegan mean?

Darling, pet. (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Tegan?

Tegan is pronounced TEE-gan (IPA: /ˈtiːgən/).

Is Tegan a popular name right now?

Tegan peaked at #780 in 2011 and is ranked #2060 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1957–2024.)

Make Tegan Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Tegan, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.