Rowan
Gender: Mostly Boy
Meaning: Little red one or rowan tree
Origin: Irish Gaelic/Old Norse
Popularity: Ranked #59 in 2025 with 5,212 babies born.
History: Rowan is derived from the Irish Gaelic 'Ruadhán,' a diminutive of 'ruadh' meaning red, or from the Norse 'reynir,' referring to the rowan tree, known for its bright red berries. The rowan was considered a sacred, protective tree in Celtic and Norse cultures. Rowan is used for both boys and girls in English-speaking countries today.
Famous people named Rowan: Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean), Rowan Blanchard (actress)
Name length: 5 letters
How common is Rowan? About 1 in 516 babies born in 2025 were named Rowan, or roughly 17.7 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Rowan
What does the name Rowan mean?
Rowan means “Little red one or rowan tree” from Irish Gaelic/Old Norse roots.
What is the origin of the name Rowan?
Rowan has Irish Gaelic/Old Norse origin. The traditional meaning is “Little red one or rowan tree”.
How popular is Rowan?
Rowan ranked #59 in 2025 — given to 5,212 babies that year.
When was Rowan most popular?
Rowan peaked in 2025 with 5,212 babies registered that year.
Is Rowan a boy or girl name?
Rowan is used for both boys and girls. In the records, about 69% of Rowans are boys and 31% are girls.
Is the name Rowan rising or falling in popularity?
Rowan has risen 196 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #255 in 2020 to #59 in 2025.
How long has Rowan been recorded?
Rowan appears in birth records across 103 years — from 1916 through 2025.