Rowan Name Meaning and Origin

Derived from Old English, Scottish and Irish origin, the meaning of Rowan is “rowan tree,” which is a small deciduous tree with red berries. Being strongly associated with red color, the meaning of Rowan is “little redhead.” It is a befitting name for a little red-haired baby like Rowan. Originally used as the Anglicized form of the Irish name Ruadhán and surname, Rowan gained popularity as a given name. Rowen is its alternate form that has become increasingly become popular.

What Does Rowan Mean? 

Derived from the Gaelic name Ruadhan which comes from ruadh, the meaning of Rowan is “red.” Although Rowan was historically used as a masculine name, its Arabic version is typically given to girls, and the meaning of Rowan is “a river in paradise.”

Origin 

Rowan is a unisex name with a Gaelic background. This strong surname comes from the Irish surname Ó Ruadháin. Being a nature name, it is deservedly growing in popularity. Some scholars identify Rowan as originally a girls’ name, related to Rowena and Rhonwen, while others believe that Rowan can be used as a unisex name for both genders. 

Gender 

Male

Pronunciation 

• Ro-wuhn
• Ro-wynn

Syllables 

 2 syllables

Length/Letter 

 5 letters

Name Variations/Spellings

Rowan name variations have evolved in various forms in different languages and cultures of the world. Other spellings of Rowan have also generated interest among the parents of the modern generation. Here are some of the Rowan name variations and other spellings for Rowan that can be lovely modern alternatives to the name.

How Popular Is the Name Rowan? 

After breaking into the top 200 in 2016, Rowan as a boys’ name has become increasingly popular as a gender-neutral nature name. According to Social Security Administration data. The Rowan popularity index reached the 113th spot in 2020. The Rowan baby name ranking as a girl’s name ranked at 957 in 2003, before reaching its peak at 211 in 2018. Even if its popularity is downhill to an extent, Rowan remains in the lower-200s for girls’ names. Famous personalities like Rowan Atkinson, aka Mr. Bean, have given a boost to this name. It has been a popular name for both celebrity kids – both boys and girls. Some examples are Brooke Shields’s daughter, singer Chantal Kreviazuk’s son, baseball player Brad Lidge’s son, and TV personality/trainer Jessie Pavelka’s son.

Interest in Rowan – Worldwide

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A consistent search value of over 30 has been recorded on interest for Rowan, reaching 100 in July 2018. The lowest value was recorded was at 31 in June 2019.

Interest in Rowan – US

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Search trends for the name Rowan show a search value of over 30 reaching 100 in September 2015. It scored the lowest value of 39 in June 2012 and November 2020.

Popularity of the name Rowan 

URL: https://www.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/babyname.cgi

Where Is the Name Most Searched?

Search trends of Rowan – Worldwide

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Interest in the name Rowan has been seen to be highest in the United Kingdom in the past 10 years. Ireland, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand have made it to the top five positions. Due to the Old English, Scottish and Irish roots of the name, Rowan has been well received by the parents of the United Kingdom.

Search trends of Rowan – US

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Among the sub-regions of the US, New Jersey, North Carolina, Kentucky, Delaware, and Pennsylvania are the top 5 cities where search trends for Rowan have been registered the highest in the last 10 years.

Middle Names That Go With Rowan 

A middle name can play a big role in making a name appear attractive along with the last name. Some suggestions of double names for Rowan that may appear interesting enough to new parents:

Famous People Named Rowan 

The star value of celebrity names might keep the name on trend for a long time. Here’s a list of some of the most famous people called Rowan who has changed the way people thought to become relevant in modern times:

Similar Names & Last Names 

Baby names like Rowan may become a hit among the masses, especially considering their beautiful meaning. Family names for Rowan may keep the legacy of the name alive for generations to come. Here is an updated list of some of the other names for Rowan that may be equally fascinating to hear and call out your kid:

Names That Sound Like Rowan

Rowan rhyming names have an aesthetic impact on the listener. Here are some names that sound like Rowan to carry its tone and spirit well:

Sibling Names Related to Rowan 

Sibling names can be chosen as per their similar origin or one with similar meaning. Here are some of the best sibling names that go with Rowan to create everlasting bonds between them:

Nicknames for Rowan

Nicknames are special terms of endearment we’re best known by during our childhood and beyond. Some of the nicknames for the name Rowan that may never get too outdated:

Rowena as a variant for the girl’s name most likely led to the decline of the use of Rowan as a girl’s name. Nevertheless, either of its meanings has a role in new parents’ name selection process, which might keep it fresh in years to come.

Sources/References

Social Security Administration: https://www.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/babyname.cgi
Rowan Name Popularity in the United States: https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=2011-11-11%202021-11-11&geo=US&q=Rowan
Rowan Name Popularity Across The World: https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=2011-11-11%202021-11-11&q=Rowan
Rowan Name Interest in the United States: https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=2011-11-11%202021-11-11&geo=US&q=Rowan
Rowan Name Interest Across the World: https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=2011-11-11%202021-11-11&q=Rowan