NameGen

Rowan

Irish name meaning little red one; rowan tree

Gender
Unisex · 23% girls
Origin
Irish
Meaning
little red one; rowan tree
Syllables
2
Letters
5
US rank (2023)
#76
Born in 2023
5,497
Peak year
2024 (#71)

Meaning & origin

Rowan comes from the Irish Ruadhan, 'little red-haired one', and also from the rowan tree. It works for any gender.

Is Rowan an Irish name?

Yes — Rowan is an Irish name meaning "little red one; rowan tree". Rowan comes from the Irish Ruadhan, 'little red-haired one', and also from the rowan tree. It works for any gender. You may also see it described as Gaelic or Celtic, which refer to the same root.

Popularity

In the latest US data, Rowan ranked #76 for children. It has risen about 217 places over the past ten years — a name clearly on the way up.

In 2023, Rowan was given to 1,287 girls and 4,210 boys in the US — about 23% girls.

US popularity rank over time

Peaked at #71 in 2024

1993
unranked
1998
unranked
2003
#626
2008
#339
2013
#293
2018
#129
2023
#76
2024
#71

“Unranked” means Rowan was outside the US top 1,000 that year.

How to spell Rowan

Rowan is spelled R-O-W-A-N 5 letters and 2 syllables.

Rowan: frequently asked questions

What does the name Rowan mean?

Rowan is a Irish name meaning "little red one; rowan tree". Rowan comes from the Irish Ruadhan, 'little red-haired one', and also from the rowan tree. It works for any gender.

Where does the name Rowan come from?

Rowan is of Irish origin. Rowan comes from the Irish Ruadhan, 'little red-haired one', and also from the rowan tree. It works for any gender.

Is Rowan a boy or a girl name?

Rowan is used for both. In the latest US data it was given to 1,287 girls and 4,210 boys — about 23% girls and 77% boys.

How many babies are named Rowan?

In 2023, Rowan was given to 1,287 girls and 4,210 boys in the US — about 23% girls.

Is Rowan a popular name, and is it rising or falling?

In the latest US data, Rowan ranked #76 for children. It has risen about 217 places over the past ten years — a name clearly on the way up.

How do you spell Rowan?

Rowan is spelled R-O-W-A-N — 5 letters.

How common is the name Rowan?

In 2023, Rowan was given to 1,287 girls and 4,210 boys in the US — about 23% girls. In the latest US data, Rowan ranked #76 for children. It has risen about 217 places over the past ten years — a name clearly on the way up.

Is Rowan an Irish name?

Yes — Rowan is an Irish name meaning "little red one; rowan tree". Rowan comes from the Irish Ruadhan, 'little red-haired one', and also from the rowan tree. It works for any gender. You may also see it described as Gaelic or Celtic, which refer to the same root.

What does Rowan mean in Irish?

In Irish, Rowan means "little red one; rowan tree". Rowan comes from the Irish Ruadhan, 'little red-haired one', and also from the rowan tree. It works for any gender.

Is Rowan a Gaelic name?

Rowan is usually classified as Irish, and Gaelic belongs to that same tradition — so yes, it is commonly described as Gaelic too. It means "little red one; rowan tree".

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