The first name Rowan
A unisex name from Irish meaning “little red one”, “descendant of ruadhán”.
Pronounced /ɹoʊən/ 2 syllables Unisex Also a surname
Meaning and origin
Irish origin
Rowan means “little red one”, “descendant of ruadhán” in Irish.
Anglicised from the Irish saints' name Ruadhán (“little red one”), or as a surname from Ó Ruadháin (“descendant of Ruadhán”).
From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
In 2025, 1,398 boys were named Rowan, making it the 30th most popular boys’ name.
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Rowan with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Rowan at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 5,212 boys born in the United States were named Rowan, the 59th most popular boys’ name that year.
US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.
Famous people named Rowan
12 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Rowan AtkinsonEnglish actor, comedian, and screenwriter (born 1955)
- Rowan BlanchardAmerican actress (born 2001)
- Rowan WilliamsArchbishop of Canterbury (2002–2012)
- Rowan McKellarBritish rower, born 1994
- Rowan JofféBritish screenwriter and director (born 1973)
- Hamilton Rowan GambleAmerican jurist and politician (1798–1864)
- Rowan WoodsAustralian film director, born 1959
- Rowan VineEnglish footballer (born 1982)
- RJ BarrettCanadian basketball player (born 2000)
- Robyn HitchcockBritish musician, born 1953
- Gavin MenziesBritish naval officer and author (1937–2020)
- Route 94British DJ and producer, born 1993
More Irish unisex names
Questions
- What does the name Rowan mean?
- Rowan means “little red one”, “descendant of ruadhán” in Irish.
- What is the origin of the name Rowan?
- Anglicised from the Irish saints' name Ruadhán (“little red one”), or as a surname from Ó Ruadháin (“descendant of Ruadhán”).
- How popular is the name Rowan?
- In 2025, 1,398 boys born in England and Wales were named Rowan, ranking 30th.
- Is Rowan a boy's or a girl's name?
- Both. Of the 72,853 US babies named Rowan since 1880, 31% were girls and 69% boys.
- When was Rowan most popular?
- 2025 in the United States, when 5,212 babies were named Rowan, its highest rank at 59th.
- How do you pronounce Rowan?
- Rowan is /ɹoʊən/, 2 syllables.
- Is Rowan also a surname?
- Yes. Rowan is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.