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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Reagan

112 replies

MMJK · 23/05/2026 14:38

What would your first thought be if you met a girl or woman named Reagan? Does it remind you too much of Ronald Reagan or the Exorcist? We would be pronouncing it like reg-in (so the same as the president and the film), not ree-gan.

OP posts:
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HedgehogHome · 23/05/2026 17:35

I’ve only ever seen it spelt Raegan when used as a first name.

WhimsyWhim · 23/05/2026 17:28

BillieWiper · 23/05/2026 16:46

But Ronald isn't pronounced 'reg-in', it's pronounced 'ray-gun'?

Either way it's not great. It has no positive connotation and sounds affected.

Edited

Reg-in and ray-gun sound the same to me when they’re said quickly.

wafflesmgee · 23/05/2026 17:25

It’s not a name. Seriously.

Berlinlover · 23/05/2026 17:22

Hassell · 23/05/2026 14:44

And then to have to go through life telling people it is pronounced “reg-in” (I think of Fagin) is nothing short of cruel

Edited

The correct pronunciation is Ree-gan not Ray-gan.

HugoThatway · 23/05/2026 16:59

PeatandDieselfan · 23/05/2026 16:28

I have met 3 Reagans, all female, all very cool/lovely people, all Scottish, and all pronounced like Megan with a R. They would all in their 20s or 30s by now. On this basis, I like the name, and don't associate it with the president as it isn't pronounced the same way.

Also, when he was president, I was a small child, and since I am now in my late 40s, I wouldn't worry about that - anyone younger than me is fairly unlikely to make that connection, especially with a different pronunciation.

How do you say Megan? I'd say it as Meggun.

I'd say Reagan as Raygun and Regan as Reegun.

SpottyAlpaca · 23/05/2026 16:59

Calling a baby girl Reagan now is the equivalent of someone in 40 years time calling her Trump. And just as ridiculous.

Go & watch a few old episodes of Spitting Image on YouTube, OP. That should cause a re-think.

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 23/05/2026 16:53

Sweeney and Lear here. Neither of whom were particularly nice characters.

Peanutlicious · 23/05/2026 16:50

Ronald

lottiegarbanzo · 23/05/2026 16:46

Ronald and literally Ray-gun. Why would you name your child after a sci-fi weapon?

there are so many great names out there

BitterTits · 23/05/2026 16:46

QwestSprout · 23/05/2026 14:40

I'd assume her parents liked King Lear.

I wouldn't. Regan is a vile character and for that reason, I hate the name.

BillieWiper · 23/05/2026 16:46

But Ronald isn't pronounced 'reg-in', it's pronounced 'ray-gun'?

Either way it's not great. It has no positive connotation and sounds affected.

PifflyHigs · 23/05/2026 16:44

Awful. Genuinely awful.

AuContrairePubicHair · 23/05/2026 16:43

Reg-in? I don't understand how you want this to be pronounced. Reggin? Rejjin?

CurlewKate · 23/05/2026 16:43

QwestSprout · 23/05/2026 14:40

I'd assume her parents liked King Lear.

I wouldn’t. I’d assume they had heard of King Lear but had no idea of the plot.

MyDuvetDay · 23/05/2026 16:41

I knew a Reagan growing up and think it’s a cool name. She pronounced it “Ree-gan”

Stoicandhappy · 23/05/2026 16:40

Why would you choose such an odd name?

PeatandDieselfan · 23/05/2026 16:28

I have met 3 Reagans, all female, all very cool/lovely people, all Scottish, and all pronounced like Megan with a R. They would all in their 20s or 30s by now. On this basis, I like the name, and don't associate it with the president as it isn't pronounced the same way.

Also, when he was president, I was a small child, and since I am now in my late 40s, I wouldn't worry about that - anyone younger than me is fairly unlikely to make that connection, especially with a different pronunciation.

Henriettina · 23/05/2026 16:21

It’s an ugly sound, even aside from the links. Honestly, of all the names in the world, you can do better.

HugoThatway · 23/05/2026 15:46

Reagan is too Ronald. Regan too The Sweeney.

slug · 23/05/2026 15:43

I have a niece called Reagan. There were a few jokes about another next one “Carter” but only from fans of The Sweeney.

Howdyy · 23/05/2026 15:23

And Brothers Obama and trump?

Laiste · 23/05/2026 15:18

Exorcist for me too sadly.

However, that and the Ronald connection will lessen over the years.

Worse for me is the idea that you give a name the person will spend their life correcting with regards to pronunciation. Such a ball ache. I've got one!

TheBoolahBus · 23/05/2026 15:14

Blue Bloods was my first thought

DontGoChasinWaterfalls · 23/05/2026 15:11

Sorry, reminds me of the Exorcist....

modgepodge · 23/05/2026 14:57

There’s a kid at a nursery I work at occasionally called Regan (or Reagan, perhaps). I’m not actually sure if they’re a boy or a girl! I don’t love it as it sounds like (is) a surname and I don’t like surnames as first names.