Origin, Meaning, and History of Rowan
Rowan is a traditional yet modern name originally used for boys, but lately, it has also become a popular given name for girls. Some sources suggest Rowan comes from the English surname Rowan, which originates from the Old Irish name Rúadán, which means ‘red-haired’ or ‘little redhead.’
The name may also have it roots in the Irish surname Ó Ruadháin, meaning ‘descendant of Ruadhán.’ The surname is particularly popular in Ireland and England. However, its use as a first name in other English-speaking countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, has also become prevalent. It has also gained some popularity in non-English-speaking countries such as Norway and Sweden.
Rowan is also associated with the red berries of the rowan tree. In Celtic mythology, the tree is considered to have protective powers, which safeguard against enchantment and witchcraft. Therefore, this tree is often planted outside homes to ward off evil spirits. In Arabic, it is considered a feminine name referring to a ‘river in Paradise’ or ‘river in heaven.’
In English, Rowan is pronounced RO-ən. However, the name may have varied spellings and pronunciations across languages and cultures. Some common variants of Rowan include Roy, Ruadh, Roan, Ruadhán, Rowen, Rowanne, and Rohan.
Rowan Atkinson, popularly known as Mr. Bean, is an English actor, comedian and writer who is a famous namesake. Atkinson has had a successful career in comedy and has also appeared in numerous films and television shows.
In popular culture, Neal Shushterman’s first book, Scythe, features a fictional character named Rowan Damisch. Rowan Mayfair is one of the protagonists featured in Anne Rice’s Lives of the Mayfair Witches trilogy. The NBC crime thriller series The Blacklist and the 2016 Ghostbusters reboot film also have characters named Rowan.
Rowan is a playable character in the 3D animated television series Lego Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures. In addition, Rowan Whitethorn is one of the main characters in Sarah Mass’s fantasy novel series Throne of Glass.
Rowan
How To Pronounce Rowan?
The way you pronounce a name can make all the difference.
Listen to the sound of the name Rowan in English.
Famous People With The Name Rowan
- Rowan BlanchardAmerican actress, listed on Time’s Most Influential Teens in 2015
- Rowan CrothersAustralian freestyle swimmer, won two gold and one silver medals at the Tokyo Paralympics
- Rowan Hisayo BuchananBritish-American writer, won the Author’s Club First Novel Award in 2017
- William Rowan HamiltonIrish mathematician, astronomer, and physicist, received the Cunningham Medal of the Royal Irish Academy in 1834 and 1848
- Daniel Hale RowanAmerican comedian and actor, won an Emmy for Outstanding Variety or Musical Series in 1969
Rowan On The Popularity Chart
If you are curious about Rowan’s popularity and ranking, look at the graphs below.
Popularity Over Time
Rowan’s popularity has seen a sharp rise. Refer to the following graph to better understand the trend.
Source: Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
Rowan’s ranking has shown some improvement since 2017. Check out the graph below for detailed insights.
Source: Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sound As Rowan
If the name Rowan appeals to you, you may explore these similar-sounding names to find the perfect name for your child.
Popular Sibling Names For Rowan
If you are looking for some matching sibling names that resonate with Rowan, check our suggestions here.
Boy Sibling Names For Rowan
Find matching brother names for Rowan and create a wonderful team of siblings.
RaingerRainhold Rance Randale Randel Randkin Randolf Randoll Randon Randson Girl Sibling Names For Rowan
Looking for some suitable sister names for Rowan? Check out our collection of beautiful and unique names.
RaeannRaewyn Ragnild Raina Rainey Rainn Rainy Randalyn Randee Randyl Other Popular Names Beginning With R
Looking for more baby names starting with the letter R to resonate with your family’s naming tradition or to rhyme with the sibling names? Find a range of alternative names starting with this letter.
Names With Similar Meaning As Rowan
Here are some names with similar meaning as Rowan.
Infographic: Know The Name Rowan‘s Personality As Per Numerology
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How To Communicate The Name Rowan In Other Languages
In Nautical Flags
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In Sign Language
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In Braille Alphabet
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In Morse Code
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Name Numerology For Rowan
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the meaning of the name Rowan?
The name Rowan means ‘red-haired’ or ‘little redhead.’
2. What is the origin of the name Rowan?
Rowan has English and Irish origins.
3. How to pronounce the name Rowan?
Rowan is pronounced as ro-wan.
4. Is Rowan a popular baby name?
Rowan has gained significant popularity as a gender-neutral name in the past few decades, particularly in the early 21st century. According to SSA, 3,742 boys and 1,134 girls shared the name in the US in 2022 (1).
5. What middle name goes with Rowan?
Rowan means ‘river in heaven’ (in Arabic). Thus, when selecting a middle name for Rowan, one may consider nature-inspired options such as Rio, meaning ‘river,’ Kendall meaning ‘valley on the river Kent,’ or Linden meaning ‘linden tree.’ Alternatively, names rhyming with Rowan, such as Cyan, meaning ‘greenish blue color,’ or Jordan, meaning ‘to descend or flow down,’ are also worth considering.
References:
- Popularity of name Rowan.
https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/
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