Megan in Chinese
Megan in Chinese is 梅根 (Méi Gēn).
- Origin
- Welsh
- Meaning
- pearl
The name traces back to Welsh sources, where it is usually explained as "pearl". It first shows up in US Social Security records in 1922 and peaked in 1990. Spellings pronounced the same way include Meghan, which share the transliteration 梅根.
3 ways to write Megan
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
梅根
Méi Gēn
The standard transliteration of Megan: 梅 (méi, "plum blossom"), 根 (gēn, "root"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
The mapping is one character per syllable: 梅 (méi) carries "me", 根 (gēn) carries "gan". The tone contour is 2-1 (rising, high level).
Character breakdown
21 strokes total (simplified)- 梅
méi
Tone 2 · 11 strokes (simplified)
plum blossom
- 根
gēn
Tone 1 · 10 strokes (simplified)
root
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
明珠
Míng Zhū
Inspired by "pearl": 明 (míng, "bright, clear") + 珠 (zhū, "pearl"), expressing precious stones and steadfastness.
Why these characters?
The idea of "pearl" behind Megan is rendered by 明, "bright, clear"; 珠, "pearl", completes it.
Character breakdown
18 strokes total (simplified)- 明
míng
Tone 2 · 8 strokes (simplified)
bright, clear
- 珠
zhū
Tone 1 · 10 strokes (simplified)
pearl
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Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
梅璐
Méi Lù
梅 (méi, "plum blossom") + 璐 (lù, "beautiful jade"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
It keeps 梅 (méi), the same opening character as the transliteration 梅根, for the "me" sound, and replaces the rest with 璐 ("beautiful jade") so the whole reads as a real given name.
Character breakdown
28 strokes total (simplified)- 梅
méi
Tone 2 · 11 strokes (simplified)
plum blossom
- 璐
lù
Tone 4 · 17 strokes (simplified)
beautiful jade
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 436,520 girls named Megan since 1922, with the high point in 1990 (20,256 births) and the busiest decade being the 1990s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #11 to #499 among girls.
- Peak year
- 1990
- Peak decade
- 1990s
- First year
- 1922
- Total since 1880
- 436,520
More About Megan in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Megan offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Megan, you'll find options that work for you.
Megan is also spelled Meghan — both names use the same Chinese transliteration.
Names with the same root meaning include Margaret in Chinese, which share similar origins or meanings.
If you're exploring Chinese names for girls, you might also be interested in Meghan in Chinese, Margaret in Chinese, and Lauren in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Nicole in Chinese, Emma in Chinese, Hannah in Chinese, Olivia in Chinese, and Rachel in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Megan, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Megan to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
How do you write Megan in Chinese?
梅根 (Méi Gēn), identical in simplified and traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
Do Megan and Meghan have the same Chinese name?
Yes. Both are written 梅根, because Chinese transliteration follows pronunciation rather than English spelling.
Is there a Chinese name for Megan with real meaning?
Try 明珠 (Míng Zhū): bright, clear + pearl, inspired by "pearl". For something that still sounds like Megan, 梅璐 (Méi Lù) is a middle ground.