Boy, also used for girls · Irish and Scandinavian · International
Rowan
RowanSay it ROH-un
- Meaning today
- Little red one, rowan tree
- Original meaning
- "the rowan tree (from Scandinavian reynir); also Irish Ruadhán, from ruadh, "red"" Online Etymology Dictionary
- Say it
- ROH-un
- Other spellings
- Rowen
Rowan
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Rowan meaning
Rowan is an international boy's name of Irish and Scandinavian origin, also used for girls.
The rowan tree (from Scandinavian reynir); also Irish Ruadhán, from ruadh, "red"
Also used to mean: little red one
Rowan has two roots that happen to meet in the colour red. As an English word it names the rowan or mountain ash, a small tree with clusters of scarlet berries; the Online Etymology Dictionary traces it to Scandinavian, Old Norse reynir, perhaps from an old root meaning 'red'. As an Irish name it represents Ruadhán, a diminutive of ruadh, which Ó Dónaill's dictionary gives as red or red-haired. St Ruadhán founded the monastery of Lorrha in the sixth century. Baby-name lists give 'little red one' or the tree, both supported. Rowan is used for boys and girls and is said ROH-un.
Source: Online Etymology Dictionary (etymonline.com) · entry rowan · See the entry · checked 25 Oct 2026
References: Online Etymology Dictionary, rowan · Ó Dónaill, rua · Wikipedia, Ruadhán of Lorrha
Famous namesakes
- St Ruadhán of Lorrha, Irish abbot
- Rowan Atkinson, English actor
Popularity abroad
- #59 United States, boys 2025 (up 12 from 71 in 2024)
US Social Security Administration - #30 England and Wales, boys 2025
Office for National Statistics
Official birth registrations. India publishes no national name statistics.
Spellings
Rowan · Rowen