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English and Welsh speaking countries

From the Old Welsh masculine name Morcant, which is derived from Welsh mor (sea) or mawr (great), and can (bright, white) or cant (circle, completion).
This name is common as a surname in both Wales and Ireland and is becoming increasingly popular as a given name.

The use of Morgan as a female name comes from the confusion between several names. The Arthurian figure Morgan Le Fay was in fact never called Morgan but Morgain.
Geoffrey of Monmouth, historical writer in the 12th century, used the name of "Morgen Le Fay" for his character of the legendary sorceress. Morgen is an Old Welsh male name, variant of the Old Irish Muirgen (now Muirín) probably meaning "sea-born".
The French later used Morgain, which in turn was assimilated to Morgan.
Morgan Le Fay is now the common English name of the Arthurian figure.

There have also been attempts by some modern authors of fiction to link the Arthurian character Morgan le Fay with the Morrígan, the Irish goddess of war and death, derived from Irish Mhór Rioghain meaning "great queen"; thus wrongly relating the name Morgan to Morrigan.

Actor Morgan Freeman is a famous bearer of the name.