メーガン
Your name
Megan
in Japanese
The default way to write Megan in Japanese is メーガン — a phonetic katakana spelling that captures the sound and signals, instantly to a Japanese reader, that the name comes from elsewhere. But katakana is only one of three answers Japanese gives to a foreign name.
Below, we show all three. First the official katakana. Then a set of meaning kanji chosen to express what Megan actually means at the root — Welsh diminutive of Margaret, from Greek 'margaritēs' meaning 'pearl' — symbolizing purity, preciousness, and hidden beauty. Finally a set of ateji, the playful tradition where the kanji match the sound and tell their own small story underneath.
Katakana — Phonetic
How Megan is most commonly written in Japanese — used on official documents, business cards, and signage.
Meaning Kanji — Etymology
"Megan" means: Welsh diminutive of Margaret, from Greek 'margaritēs' meaning 'pearl' — symbolizing purity, preciousness, and hidden beauty.
真珠
Mishu
真 (true, genuine) + 珠 (pearl, gem) — a direct rendering of the name's pearl meaning, evoking authentic preciousness.
美玉
Mitama
美 (beauty) + 玉 (jewel, precious stone) — captures the 'precious gem' essence of pearl with an emphasis on beauty.
純宝
Sumitaka
純 (pure, unmixed) + 宝 (treasure) — reflects the purity and treasured nature symbolized by the pearl.
Ateji — Sound + Meaning
Where the sound matches and the kanji tell their own small story. The Edo scholars and modern manga authors both played this game.
芽眼
Megan
芽 (sprout, bud — new growth) + 眼 (eye, insight) — cute and fresh, suggesting a budding visionary with bright eyes.
明月雁
Meigan
明 (bright) + 月 (moon) + 雁 (wild goose) — mystical and poetic, evoking a wild goose flying across a luminous moon.
瑛癌
Meigan
瑛 (sparkling crystal, luster of jade) + 含 (contain, hold within) — wait, revising: 瑛 (crystal sparkle) + 雅 (elegance) — cool and refined, a sparkling, elegant presence.
Not sure which form to use?
Katakana, meaning kanji, and ateji each belong to a different part of Japanese life — official paperwork, calligraphy and gifts, signatures and wordplay. Our full guide walks through when to reach for each one.
Read the guide: the three ways to write your name in Japanese →
Seven, drawn