Rowan Name Meaning, Origin, Popularity, Boy Names Like Rowan

Rowan Name Origin: Gaelic
Pronunciation: ro-wan
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Rowan Name Meaning

Rowan is traditionally a masculine name, and it is associated with strength, courage, and wisdom. It is also thought to bring luck and protection to its bearer. The name is also associated with the ron tree, which is known for its strong wood and protective properties.

History of the Name Rowan

Rowan has been a popular name for boys since the late 19th century, but it has its origins in the ancient Celtic language. The name is derived from the word for a type of tree, and it was first used as a given name in Ireland and Scotland. It was first recorded in the U.S. in the late 19th century, and it quickly became popular.

Origins of the Name Rowan

Rowan is derived from the Old Irish word rón, which means “little seal” or “red-haired one”. The name is also related to the Welsh name Rhonwen, which means “white-haired one”. It is believed that the name Rowan is related to the ron tree found in Scotland, Ireland, and northern England, which is also known as the mountain ash tree.

Popularity of the Name Rowan

Rowan is a popular name for boys in the United States. It was first recorded in the late 19th century, and its popularity has steadily increased since then. According to the United States Social Security Administration, Rowan was the 152nd most popular name for boys in 2019, and it has been in the top 150 for the past five years.

Final Thoughts on the Name Rowan

Rowan is a timeless name with ancient roots and modern appeal. It is associated with strength, courage, and wisdom, and it is thought to bring luck and protection to its bearer. Rowan has been a popular name for boys in the United States since the late 19th century, and it continues to be a popular choice today.

Rowan Name Popularity

How popular is the name Rowan? Here’s everything we know.

Year	Rank	# Births	% Births
1910	—	0	0%
1911	—	0	0%
1912	—	0	0%
1913	—	0	0%
1914	—	0	0%
1915	—	0	0%
1916	—	0	0%
1917	—	0	0%
1918	—	0	0%
1919	—	0	0%
1920	—	0	0%
1921	—	0	0%
1922	—	0	0%
1923	—	0	0%
1924	—	0	0%
1925	—	0	0%
1926	—	0	0%
1927	—	0	0%
1928	—	0	0%
1929	—	0	0%
1930	—	0	0%
1931	—	0	0%
1932	—	0	0%
1933	—	0	0%
1934	—	0	0%
1935	—	0	0%
1936	—	0	0%
1937	—	0	0%
1938	—	0	0%
1939	—	0	0%
1940	—	0	0%
1941	—	0	0%
1942	—	0	0%
1943	—	0	0%
1944	—	0	0%
1945	—	0	0%
1946	—	0	0%
1947	—	0	0%
1948	—	0	0%
1949	—	0	0%
1950	—	0	0%
1951	—	0	0%
1952	—	0	0%
1953	—	0	0%
1954	—	0	0%
1955	—	0	0%
1956	—	0	0%
1957	—	0	0%
1958	—	0	0%
1959	—	0	0%
1960	—	0	0%
1961	—	0	0%
1962	—	0	0%
1963	—	0	0%
1964	1,574	5	0.0003%
1965	—	0	0%
1966	—	0	0%
1967	—	0	0%
1968	—	0	0%
1969	—	0	0%
1970	—	0	0%
1971	—	0	0%
1972	—	0	0%
1973	—	0	0%
1974	—	0	0%
1975	—	0	0%
1976	—	0	0%
1977	—	0	0%
1978	—	0	0%
1979	—	0	0%
1980	1,959	5	0.0003%
1981	—	0	0%
1982	—	0	0%
1983	—	0	0%
1984	—	0	0%
1985	2,143	5	0.0003%
1986	—	0	0%
1987	—	0	0%
1988	2,429	5	0.0003%
1989	—	0	0%
1990	2,286	6	0.0004%
1991	2,072	9	0.0006%
1992	1,652	19	0.0012%
1993	1,707	16	0.001%
1994	1,980	12	0.0008%
1995	1,643	19	0.0013%
1996	1,537	25	0.0017%
1997	1,123	64	0.0043%
1998	1,431	35	0.0023%
1999	1,062	78	0.0052%
2000	947	110	0.0072%
2001	840	146	0.0097%
2002	828	149	0.0099%
2003	624	286	0.0188%
2004	489	470	0.0308%
2005	440	565	0.037%
2006	427	632	0.0404%
2007	358	857	0.0543%
2008	338	947	0.0613%
2009	328	940	0.0629%
2010	327	929	0.0645%
2011	306	1,019	0.0715%
2012	298	1,129	0.0792%
2013	287	1,179	0.0828%
2014	234	1,542	0.1058%
2015	217	1,806	0.1241%
2016	181	2,190	0.1519%
2017	140	2,819	0.202%
2018	129	3,020	0.2198%
2019	118	3,204	0.2367%
2020	113	3,160	0.2483%
2021	106	3,617	0.2959%
2022	96	3,666	0.2779%
2023	76	4,210	0.3253%

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Data via SSA.gov.

Names Like Rowan

If you like Rowan, you’ll love these other names like Rowan.

What names are variants of Rowan?

Mix it up with these names that are a variation of the name Rowan.

Name	Meaning	Origin
Roan	Little red-head	Gaelic
Rohan	Red-haired, red; ascending	Indian (Sanskrit)
Rowe	Roe deer; renowned land; little red-head	German
Rowen	Red-haired; little red-head	Irish

What names sound like Rowan?

If you like how Rowan sounds, you might also like these names that sound like Rowan.

Name	Meaning	Origin
Rian	King	Gaelic
Roane	Red-haired, red; ascending	Indian (Sanskrit)
Ron	Mountain of strength; crooked nose; ruler's counselor	Scottish
Ronn	Ruler's counselor	Scandinavian
Royan	Red-haired, red; ascending	Indian (Sanskrit)
Ryan	Little king	Irish

What names are similar to Rowan?

Find a name that’s like Rowan, but just a little bit different.

Name	Meaning	Origin	Popularity	Other Gender
Rooney	Red-haired	Irish

Lists With Rowan

Find inspiration in these baby boy name lists featuring the name Rowan.

Siblings of Rowan

Mamas with kids named Rowan also have kids with these names.

Name	Meaning	Origin
Scarlett	Shade of red	English
Sayer	Wood-worker	Welsh
Selah	Rock	Hebrew

Damon	One who tames, subdues	Greek
Maverick	Independent one	American
Ruby	Red gemstone	English
Lily	Lily flower	English
Ivy	Ivy plant	English
Daisy	Daisy flower	English
Arlo	Armed hill	English
Juniper	Juniper tree	English

Share Your Thoughts

28 Comments

Jennifer Feb 9 at 1:09 pm

Sacred Celtic Tree
Unique

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Haley+Smith Jun 24 at 11:26 am

A strong and different name that is not strange.

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Heli+Knowles Jun 1 at 9:26 am

Rowan was on my list of about 40 names that I had scoured the web, family names, books, TV, and recommendations over years for (I love reading and writing, and names are very meaningful to me). I wanted something that was uncommon but not too rare, nature based, and having good roots in story. The mythology about Rowan trees is intriguing, and makes his name balanced. It’s a somewhat common name so people will pronounce it right by default, but it’s not so common that he will have 5 peers of the same name! It’s a beautiful, flowing name as well. Charming and with good nickname potential. We call him Ro!

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Caitlin Mar 18 at 7:37 am

It has Celtic origins and means Tree of Life. It also stands for courage, wisdom and protection. All things I love about his name. One thing I did not know is that it has a girl version in this country!

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Rowan Nov 21 at 11:06 am

Pretty cool name

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Regina Nov 11 at 2:24 pm

I heard the name years ago when I worked in child care, it’s been a favorite ever since. It is of Irish origin, is the name of a tree and appears in some beautiful stories and poems (including one from The Lord of the Rings!) I love that it is simple, easily pronounced and old.

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Ellie Jul 29 at 10:03 am

Rowan is just such a good strong name and we chose it because it flows with his middle names. It also has Irish and Scottish origins and his father has a lot of Irish in him so it was fitting.

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Maggie Mar 27 at 10:20 am

Name of a magical tree, nature oriented

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Briana Sep 24 at 12:25 pm

I love that it was earthy because he’s named after the Rowan tree.

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Kristina Aug 14 at 9:40 am

We chose this name firstly because we liked it, secondly because the Rowan tree symbolizes protection, wisdom and courage- all three of which we’d like to foster in him as he grows up (he’s our firstborn).

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Gudrun May 29 at 11:02 am

I thought I’d had a second miscarriage with Rowan, and two days later I suddenly and unexpectedly lost my father. Then a few days after my Dad’s funeral I discovered I was in fact still pregnant. It’s been a bittersweet pregnancy due to my grief over my father and also being a rainbow baby. The Rowan tree is the Tree of Life and holds a lot of sacred mythology around protection so it felt like the perfect name for someone who has been born from grief and loss.

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Erin Aug 15 at 10:39 am

My husband and I both agreed we would name our baby Rowan if it was a girl because we could honor our Irish roots and we both loved gender-neutral names. Win-win! I love it!

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Maddison Aug 13 at 9:22 pm

We just liked the name Rowan. Realized after we picked it that Rowan is also a tree, which is fitting because my husband is an arborist!

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Erica May 19 at 10:24 pm

I have never heard of the name I came across it looking though thousands of names and it stuck I love the name and it a coincidence behind the meaning because my son was also born with red hair everyone love his unique name and it’s great he’s a unique one of a kind little boy

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Natalie Dec 17 at 9:22 am

We chose Rowan so we could plant a Rowan tree on our property that would grow alongside our boy. We kept our placenta and it will be placed in the hole to nourish the tree as it grows, as it nourished our baby boy in the womb.
We chose Rowan over other tree’s as there is a species that is native to our region, the flowers and berries are beneficial to pollinators of all kinds, and the tree itself is steeped in mythology. My husband and I want our boy to have a deep appreciation for and connection to the natural world just as we do.

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Alyssa Dec 18 at 1:32 pm

Rowan was the first name my husband and I pondered, even before trying to conceive, and we liked that it worked for a boy or girl. Our sons name is Rowan Wilhelm and we feel like it’s a great, strong name.

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Liberty Noele Sep 16 at 4:55 pm

I chose the name Rowan mainly because I love unique names. It had somewhat of an “antique” feel in my opinion. Then I went online and realized the meaning is the tree of life and that it protects the area in which it grows and I knew then I had found the perfect name!

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Kelly Aug 17 at 6:45 am

Rowan is our 6th baby. We never found out gender with any of them, but with the previous 3 being girls, we kind of thought he would be another, but surprise! We didn’t have a boy name. My kids have all Irish names, so while browsing in the hospital, I found Rowan, it jumped out at me, and it just suited him. It wasn’t even on my list. My husband was not on board, but eventually gave in. 9 months later,we both agree it’s perfect for him!

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Ashley Aug 3 at 2:55 pm

I asked my 2 year old what we should name the baby and he said Rowan. We don’t know where he heard that name but we instantly fell in love with it! It’s a lovely Gaelic name that melds well with Alden, his older brothers name.

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Maya Jun 13 at 4:27 am

I actually was scrolling through Pinterest when I saw it and it just stuck with me. I absolutely loved the name and still do. After I finally saw him I knew that Rowan was a perfect name for my little man.

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Kelly Jun 8 at 7:29 am

We don’t find out gender until birth. He was our sixth child and we really weren’t set on names. It wasn’t even on my short list…for a boy or girl. It just came to me though because I thought it really suited him. My husband wasn’t on board at first, but agreed after a week or so.

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Sarah Apr 22 at 1:47 pm

Rowan is a real tree, in the mountain ash tree family. Used in fairy tales stories to make wands and staffs. In real life it is a strong wood. My other kids have plant names, lily,ivy,daisy, and arlo a boy.

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Sarah Apr 22 at 1:43 pm

Rowan is a real tree, in the mountain ash tree family. Used in fairy tales stories to make wands and staffs. In real life it is a strong wood.

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Abbie Apr 22 at 1:14 pm

We have a passion for all things mountains, outdoors, and especially rivers. After a long pursuit of names associated with boating and rivers (names like Stone, Stearn, Canyon were among some), we arrived at Rowan. We love to “row” and felt the sound of that name was fitting for our son.

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Calley Apr 16 at 2:11 am

Tree name
Liked the sound of it from The Wicker Man movie

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Janeen Apr 14 at 8:46 pm

I found it online while looking for baby names and fell in love his father didn’t like it at first but then decided he liked that name best out of the other names

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Jillian Apr 14 at 10:44 am

Loved the nature meaning behind Rowan. It’s an Irish tree that has red berries. Our little one came out with a full head of blonde hair tinted with red. We also loved the name Roman, but we’re more Irish than Italian and this name was one letter off.

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Jennifer Apr 13 at 2:57 pm

I love the name Rowan. My son’s name is Rowan and the meaning (little red-head; red flowering tree) and origin (Gaelic) behind it is why we chose it. It is also a family surname on my mom’s side.

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Rowan