Meaning and background
The story behind Fagan
Fagan has several Irish surname histories rather than one uncomplicated translation. The dictionary chiefly connects it with Ó Fágáin or Ó Faodhagáin, explaining how sound changes and a silent lenited f shaped related forms. It also records occasional routes through other Gaelic surnames. Those qualifications matter when the name honours a family: a single attractive gloss from one branch would not reliably explain every Fagan.
- Origin
- Irish Fagan can represent several Anglicized Gaelic surnames, chiefly Ó Fágáin or Ó Faodhagáin, with additional occasional routes. Source
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About Fagan
Recorded as a dog’s name
Fagan appears in 2 dog licence records in the 2024 New York City dataset.
How to read this count
These records cover New York City and may count the same dog in more than one licence period. They are not a national popularity ranking.
Pronunciation and rhythm
/feɪɡən/
US English sound sequence, converted from the CMU dictionary. Stress marks are shown separately.
Stress on the first syllable in the recorded US readings.
View dictionary notation
/feɪɡən/ · primary stress on syllable 1F EY1 G AH0 N
These are US dictionary readings. Personal, regional and other language pronunciations may differ.
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Sources and research notes (2)
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene NYC Dog Licensing Dataset — all seven available extract years, retrieved 24 October 2026 — Recorded name spellings in NYC licence-period rows, extract years 2016–2018, 2022–2024 and 2026. Evidence selects one stated year per name. Annual snapshots overlap; never sum them as unique dogs. No national popularity, etymology or owner naming-intent claim.
- Carnegie Mellon University / CMU Sphinx maintainers CMU US English Pronouncing Dictionary — US English dictionary readings; not owner-specific or exhaustive multilingual pronunciation
References support the individual facts shown. A source link does not mean the entire profile has been verified.