gender neutral
Rowan
little red one, red-haired
About Rowan
Rowan has emerged as a contemporary favorite, appealing across gender lines while maintaining strong masculine credentials. This nature name references the rowan tree, historically associated with protection and wisdom in Celtic tradition. The name's two-syllable simplicity creates an accessible, modern feel while its botanical connection adds depth and meaning. Rowan works beautifully in various cultural contexts and pairs well with diverse surname styles. The name has gained significant popularity recently, reflecting broader trends toward nature-inspired and gender-neutral options. Its soft consonants and vowel sounds create a gentle quality without sacrificing strength. Rowan suggests someone grounded, thoughtful, and connected to natural world—appealing attributes for many parents. The name transitions smoothly from childhood through adulthood, working equally well for a toddler or professional adult.
Popularity of the Name Rowan
Rank among the 1,000 most popular baby names, by year.
| United States | United Kingdom | New Zealand | Ireland | Canada | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | #990 | #154 | #389 | #258 | #455 |
| 2000 | #970 | #172 | #240 | #344 | #430 |
| 2001 | #827 | #178 | #279 | #268 | #393 |
| 2002 | #817 | #184 | #256 | #289 | #342 |
| 2003 | #626 | #171 | #376 | #205 | #261 |
| 2004 | #477 | #158 | #278 | #224 | #212 |
| 2005 | #437 | #157 | #275 | #184 | #211 |
| 2006 | #424 | #160 | #179 | #180 | |
| 2007 | #365 | #150 | #392 | #267 | #158 |
| 2008 | #339 | #155 | #377 | #197 | #160 |
| 2009 | #332 | #160 | #397 | #246 | #160 |
| 2010 | #328 | #142 | #336 | #199 | #174 |
| 2011 | #309 | #141 | #324 | #163 | |
| 2012 | #300 | #142 | #225 | #170 | |
| 2013 | #292 | #130 | #361 | #243 | #177 |
| 2014 | #240 | #128 | #304 | #174 | #153 |
| 2015 | #219 | #117 | #285 | #200 | #158 |
| 2016 | #182 | #113 | #260 | #192 | #139 |
| 2017 | #140 | #107 | #266 | #143 | #105 |
| 2018 | #129 | #96 | #298 | #175 | #110 |
| 2019 | #118 | #87 | #189 | #165 | #100 |
| 2020 | #113 | #74 | #227 | #136 | #104 |
| 2021 | #105 | #64 | #200 | #154 | #87 |
| 2022 | #96 | #59 | #183 | #114 | #68 |
| 2023 | #76 | #51 | #300 | #115 | #65 |
| 2024 | #71 | #41 | #113 | #93 | #64 |
| 2025 | #59 | #31 | #91 | #81 | #41 |
| 1997 | #193 | #277 | #441 | #458 | |
| 1998 | #158 | #288 | #276 | #430 | |
| 1947 | #187 | ||||
| 1950 | #168 | ||||
| 1955 | #189 | ||||
| 1956 | #192 | ||||
| 1957 | #202 | ||||
| 1958 | #169 | ||||
| 1959 | #177 | ||||
| 1960 | #205 | ||||
| 1961 | #220 | ||||
| 1962 | #234 | ||||
| 1963 | #251 | ||||
| 1964 | #253 | ||||
| 1967 | #247 | ||||
| 1970 | #233 | #335 | |||
| 1972 | #235 | #357 | |||
| 1973 | #198 | #234 | |||
| 1974 | #218 | #270 | |||
| 1975 | #238 | #248 | |||
| 1976 | #175 | #238 | |||
| 1977 | #213 | #290 | |||
| 1978 | #216 | #282 | |||
| 1979 | #239 | #226 | |||
| 1980 | #197 | #221 | |||
| 1981 | #169 | ||||
| 1982 | #152 | #264 | |||
| 1983 | #170 | #324 | |||
| 1984 | #157 | #365 | |||
| 1985 | #171 | ||||
| 1986 | #150 | #243 | |||
| 1987 | #181 | #358 | |||
| 1988 | #149 | #269 | |||
| 1989 | #178 | #197 | |||
| 1990 | #197 | #242 | |||
| 1991 | #170 | #379 | #886 | ||
| 1992 | #203 | #294 | |||
| 1993 | #222 | #391 | #588 | ||
| 1994 | #323 | #335 | #774 | ||
| 1996 | #369 | #272 | #462 | ||
| 1966 | #290 | ||||
| 1971 | #299 | ||||
| 1995 | #257 | #557 |
Top names by country: United States · United Kingdom · New Zealand · Ireland · Canada
Variations of Name Rowan
Names Similar to Rowan
Nicknames for Rowan
- Row
- Ro
- Rowie
- Wan
Famous People Named Rowan
| Rowan Atkinson | British actor and comedian |
| Rowan Blanchard | American actress |
| Rowan Williams | Former Archbishop of Canterbury |
| Rowan Ricardo Phillips | Poet and author |
| Rowan Douglas | British mathematician |
| Rowan Moore | British architecture critic |
| Rowan Joffé | British film director and screenwriter |
| Rowan Vine | English professional footballer |
| Rowan Gaither | American business executive |
| Rowan Hisayo Buchanan | American novelist |
| Rowan Pelling | British journalist and author |
| Rowan Hooper | British science journalist |
Characters Named Rowan
| Rowan Blackwood | Fictional character from the "Raven's Shadow" series by Anthony Ryan |
| Rowan Whitethorn | Fictional character from the "Throne of Glass" series by Sarah J. Maas |
| Rowan Emerson | Fictional character from the "Mortal Engines" series by Philip Reeve |
| Rowan Pope | Fictional character from the TV series "Scandal" |
| Rowan North | Fictional character from the movie "Ghostbusters" - 2016 |
| Rowan Darkholme | Fictional character from the "X-Men" comics |
| Rowan Dex | Fictional character from the TV series "Andromeda" |