The nameRowan
Rowan is the name of a tree and an Irish surname. Given to boys and girls, it is now mainly a boy's name.
- Boy's name
- English and Irish
Meaning
Rowan is the mountain ash, a tree with red berries long thought to protect against witchcraft. It is also linked to the Irish surname Ó Ruadháin, from ruadh, "red".
Origin
English and Irish.
History
Rowan reached 30th place in England and Wales in 2025 and entered the American top 100 in 2022. Rowan Atkinson, the actor behind Mr. Bean, made it widely known.
Did you know?
- Before becoming Mr. Bean, Rowan Atkinson earned a master's degree in electrical engineering at Oxford.
Famous people named Rowan
- Rowan Atkinson, actor
- Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury
Popularity of the name Rowan
Rowan in the United States
Rowan was most popular in the United States in the 2010s, with 28,941 births over the decade, 44% of all recorded babies named Rowan. Its rise began around 2004, and it peaked in 2024. Half of all babies named Rowan in the United States were born before 2018, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 5,116 births a year on average, against 3,944 in the five years before.
Rowan in the United Kingdom
Rowan was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2020s, with 7,907 births over the decade, 39% of all recorded babies named Rowan. Half of all babies named Rowan in the United Kingdom were born before 2017, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 1,386 births a year on average, against 884 in the five years before.
Rowan in Ireland
Rowan in France
Sibling names for Rowan
Names from the same generation as Rowan, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Rowan? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Rowan with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Rowan side by side with the name of your choice.
Rowan in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Rowan mean?
Rowan is the mountain ash, a tree with red berries long thought to protect against witchcraft. It is also linked to the Irish surname Ó Ruadháin, from ruadh, "red".
What is the origin of the name Rowan?
English and Irish.
Is Rowan a girl's or a boy's name?
Rowan is a boy's name. In the United States, 32% of the babies named Rowan are girls.
How popular is the name Rowan?
In 2024, Rowan was the 71st most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 4,647 births.
What are good sibling names for Rowan?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Ivy, Willow, Hazel and Violet for a sister, Bennett, Weston, Hudson and Everett for a brother.
Who are famous people named Rowan?
Rowan Atkinson, actor; Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury.