Given name & surname · also Scandinavian, English
Rowan
“of the red-berry tree”
Rowan is used as a given name and a surname. Interpretations include “of the red-berry tree” and “from the tree with red berries; a little red-haired boy”. These may reflect different naming traditions.
Meaning & origin
What it means
Interpretations include “of the red-berry tree” and “from the tree with red berries; a little red-haired boy”. These may reflect different naming traditions.
Where it comes from
This spelling has been associated with Irish, English, and Scandinavian naming traditions.
How it developed
It entered given-name use through an existing surname.
The story
Its naming history includes the use of a family name as a given name.
Rowan through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 72,853
- 50,628 boys · 22,225 girls
- Most popular year
- 2025
- 6,452 babies
- 2025
- 6,452
- #59 for boys · #249 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +29%
- Rising
Boys, girls and both
The balance of boys and girls given this name has shifted over time. Recent births are 74% boys.
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 5,212 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 59 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 47.7% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. It also appeared in 1,240 birth records for girls in 2025. In 2025, Texas had the largest reported state-level birth count for boys with this name (397). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 40,085 as a first name in 2020; 13,418 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Rowan’s family of names
In English usage, Rowan shares an earlier linguistic root with Rohan. Rowan has a related form in Roan. Rowan has a related form in Rowen.
Inner ring: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Nicknames & forms 13
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
- Rowenvariant
- Rowynvariant
- Rohanvariant · English
- Roanvariant
- Rowinvariant
- Roanevariant
- Rowanavariant
- Rowannvariant
Show 5 moreShow fewer
Across languages 1
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
See also 2
Names our sources mention alongside this one. They are related in story or meaning, not forms of this name.
People named Rowan
- Rowan AtkinsonEnglish actor, comedian, and screenwriter (born 1955)
- Rowan BlanchardAmerican actress (born 2001)
- Rowan WilliamsArchbishop of Canterbury (2002–2012)born 1950
- Gavin MenziesBritish naval officer and author (1937–2020)
- Rowan McKellarBritish rowerborn 1994
- Rowan JofféBritish screenwriter and director (born 1973)born 1972
- Rowan WoodsAustralian film directorborn 1959
- Rowan VineEnglish footballer (born 1982)
- Route 94British DJ and producerborn 1993
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Rowan, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Arley
“from the hare's meadow”
68% boys · 32% girls
River
“from the river”
65% boys · 35% girls
Royal
“of the king; a regal man”
69% boys · 31% girls
Hudson
“one who is adventurous; an explorer” · “the son of Hugh; from the river”
99% boys · 1% girls
Dallas
“from the valley meadow” · “from the dales; from the city in Texas”
74% boys · 26% girls
Remington
“from the town of the raven's family”
65% boys · 35% girls
Ellis
“Jehovah is my God” · “noble”
73% boys · 27% girls
Kai
Kai is used in several naming traditions, with different explanations for the same spelling.
93% boys · 7% girls