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HelpRowan
Rowan is a name I had as a favorite boy name back in the late 1980s. It was almost unheard-of here, and using it as a girl's name seemed unthinkable to me. If you had told me that 30 years later it would be getting more popular on both sexes, I don't think I would have believed it.
How popular do you think Rowan might get where you live? (Compare it to a different name's popularity in the past, if you can, please, since the value of ranks changes and isn't very informative)
When did you first hear the name Rowan, and what gender was it?
What gender do you prefer Rowan to have?
Do you like the name?
- mirfak
How popular do you think Rowan might get where you live? (Compare it to a different name's popularity in the past, if you can, please, since the value of ranks changes and isn't very informative)
When did you first hear the name Rowan, and what gender was it?
What gender do you prefer Rowan to have?
Do you like the name?
- mirfak
This message was edited 4/3/2016, 11:30 PM
Archived Thread - replies disabled
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Replies
1. I think it's not exactly popular but not unpopular? Not sure on exact numbers
2. First heard Rowan on a boy
3. Prefer it to be a masculine name
2. First heard Rowan on a boy
3. Prefer it to be a masculine name
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56
Girl
I think it's unisex
Girl
I think it's unisex
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I've known a handful of Rowans of various ages throughout my life, all men. The oldest Rowan that I know is probably around 60 now and the youngest is 4. It's definitely always been in consistent use in Australia for males, never unusual but never common. I don't see it having a drastic spike upwards from that either in Australia.
I like it pretty equally for boys and girls. I have never personally met or heard of a female Rowan except for long lists of BAs on this site and celebrity usages but I'm not opposed to it at all. It's a nature name and they're fair game to me. I do really like the name, I'm always pleased to hear it being used and I was very happy my friend chose it for her son, who is now four. He's an exceptionally gentle, creative and kind hearted little boy and I think it suits him perfectly. If he had some butch name like Colton or Hunter, it just would be all kinds of wrong!
I like it pretty equally for boys and girls. I have never personally met or heard of a female Rowan except for long lists of BAs on this site and celebrity usages but I'm not opposed to it at all. It's a nature name and they're fair game to me. I do really like the name, I'm always pleased to hear it being used and I was very happy my friend chose it for her son, who is now four. He's an exceptionally gentle, creative and kind hearted little boy and I think it suits him perfectly. If he had some butch name like Colton or Hunter, it just would be all kinds of wrong!
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how are we to pronounce it?
I would pronounce it as "to row a boat". however, my friend whose daughter is expecting a baby and will use Rowan as one of 2 middle names says it as "I had a row with my husband" (a quarrel).
Help?
I would pronounce it as "to row a boat". however, my friend whose daughter is expecting a baby and will use Rowan as one of 2 middle names says it as "I had a row with my husband" (a quarrel).
Help?
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LOL, she is pronouncing it wrong. According to me at least!
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And to me.
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That's what I would have thought, as well. not going to correct her, though!someone else can do that. And will, likely.
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I have a friend whose daughter is expecting a girl in June, and intends using Rowan as one of her two middle names.
I've only heard of Rowan Atkinson, and have never known anyone named Rowan. So, male.
One of the posters has compared Rowan to Brooke, and that's how I feel also.
It can be for male or female, seems to suit both. and yes, I like it.
I've only heard of Rowan Atkinson, and have never known anyone named Rowan. So, male.
One of the posters has compared Rowan to Brooke, and that's how I feel also.
It can be for male or female, seems to suit both. and yes, I like it.
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I've heard of a few Rowans, all boys under the age of 8 or so. I used to really like it when I was a kid. I discovered it in a name book then. I'd still say I like it, but it's not really my style to totally love and consider using (not to mention it clashes with out last name). I think it has a non-obnoxious hippie vibe. I do like it for a girl, too, but prefer it for a boy since masculine nature names aren't as easy to come by.
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I have no idea how popular Rowan might get, because I'm terrible at predicting those things. I have never met a Rowan IRL, but I like the name more for a girl than a boy. When I was growing up, the only Rowan I had heard of was Rowan Atkinson, so to me it seems more comical and properly British on a boy. On a girl, it's younger and fresher. I don't know why that is.
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I don't see Rowan getting super popular in NJ but I'd never be surprised to see it at least on a boy. I'd be slightly more surprised to see it on a girl, just because I've noticed around where I live, naming practices are still more "traditional" than other parts of the country.
That said, I've actually only heard it on a girl, the star of Disney Channel's Girl Meets World Rowan Blanchard. I used to dislike it on a girl but I think she pulls it off well.
I don't love the name either way so I don't have a strong preference male or female. It works fine for both IMO.
Also, I had no idea until this moment that a Rowan is a type of tree? I don't think of it as a nature name because I didn't know this!
That said, I've actually only heard it on a girl, the star of Disney Channel's Girl Meets World Rowan Blanchard. I used to dislike it on a girl but I think she pulls it off well.
I don't love the name either way so I don't have a strong preference male or female. It works fine for both IMO.
Also, I had no idea until this moment that a Rowan is a type of tree? I don't think of it as a nature name because I didn't know this!
This message was edited 4/4/2016, 7:32 AM
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It's sometimes called Mountain Ash.
And where I grew up, we call it "dogberry tree".(less elegant).
We always as children use to sample the berries, and they were always impossibly astringent. You'd think we would learn,but no.
I read that you can make a jelly with the berries, though. For having with meat. Sort of like cranberries, perhaps.
And where I grew up, we call it "dogberry tree".(less elegant).
We always as children use to sample the berries, and they were always impossibly astringent. You'd think we would learn,but no.
I read that you can make a jelly with the berries, though. For having with meat. Sort of like cranberries, perhaps.
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I don't think it will ever make the top hundred because I think Hazel will. Hazel and Rowan for a boy entered the top thousand about the same time, but Hazel is now 107 while Rowan for a boy is only 239.
I know of one boy Rowan, the two-year-old son of a friend. When she told me his name, before he was born, I did what I always do IRL when I hear the name of a new or about-to-born baby, which I don't like--I smiled and remained silent. Apparently, however, this is a giveaway that you don't like the name, because my friend then laughed and said, "Oh, nobody likes it." She should hang around here.
I don't think it's masculine enough, so I don't like it for a boy. When I said this to my daughter, she said, "I don't want to call you old, but younger people today don't worry about masculinity in boy's names." So I'm happy to represent the Geritol set.
I know of one boy Rowan, the two-year-old son of a friend. When she told me his name, before he was born, I did what I always do IRL when I hear the name of a new or about-to-born baby, which I don't like--I smiled and remained silent. Apparently, however, this is a giveaway that you don't like the name, because my friend then laughed and said, "Oh, nobody likes it." She should hang around here.
I don't think it's masculine enough, so I don't like it for a boy. When I said this to my daughter, she said, "I don't want to call you old, but younger people today don't worry about masculinity in boy's names." So I'm happy to represent the Geritol set.
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"younger people today don't worry about masculinity in boy's names."
LMAO. Nor about femininity in girls' names! I don't want to call any younger people naive, but naming boys with names that are not conventionally perceived as specifically feminine, still IS worrying about masculinity in boys' names.
Anyway for years I thought Rowan was masculine (a name never used for girls, not a name that has "masculine" characteristics) - it never occurred to me that it could be unisex, until I started looking at names on the internet and noticed people were interested in it as a girl name. To me, Rowan on a woman still sounds deliberately un-feminine, sort of like Cedar (or Robin, for that matter, which I also don't feel sounds very feminine for some reason ... and Hazel as well, although that doesn't seem masculine either). I've gotten used to Rowan being unisex, though, and I don't like it less for a boy because of it being unisex.
Are there any names you think of as unisex, that you like for boys?
+ I know I could probably find out by searching the board. I'm being lazy.
LMAO. Nor about femininity in girls' names! I don't want to call any younger people naive, but naming boys with names that are not conventionally perceived as specifically feminine, still IS worrying about masculinity in boys' names.
Anyway for years I thought Rowan was masculine (a name never used for girls, not a name that has "masculine" characteristics) - it never occurred to me that it could be unisex, until I started looking at names on the internet and noticed people were interested in it as a girl name. To me, Rowan on a woman still sounds deliberately un-feminine, sort of like Cedar (or Robin, for that matter, which I also don't feel sounds very feminine for some reason ... and Hazel as well, although that doesn't seem masculine either). I've gotten used to Rowan being unisex, though, and I don't like it less for a boy because of it being unisex.
Are there any names you think of as unisex, that you like for boys?
+ I know I could probably find out by searching the board. I'm being lazy.
This message was edited 4/4/2016, 11:34 AM
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It's one of the few unisex names I prefer on a girl. I don't like it on a boy at all, but that may be because I knew a really bratty Rowan when I was a kid. He'd probably be about 24 now.
I really like it for a girl, although it's not something I'd use in real life. I also like Rowenna.
I really like it for a girl, although it's not something I'd use in real life. I also like Rowenna.
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Rowan is not popular where I live, but it is not unheard of, either. I know of two, a man and a toddler girl. I don't envision it becoming super popular, but it might rise a bit. I can't think of a comparison, I'll edit later if I can.
I suppose I first heard it when the "Mr. Bean" movies were big in the 90's. It is the title actor's first name, I recall. The first time I heard it in real life I was in my mid twenties, it was a man's name then as well.
I prefer Rowan on a boy, but I don't mind it on a girl. It's very like the similar Robin to me in that sense.
I do like it, very much.
I suppose I first heard it when the "Mr. Bean" movies were big in the 90's. It is the title actor's first name, I recall. The first time I heard it in real life I was in my mid twenties, it was a man's name then as well.
I prefer Rowan on a boy, but I don't mind it on a girl. It's very like the similar Robin to me in that sense.
I do like it, very much.
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There's Rowan Atkinson (alias Blackadder) & Rowan Williams the former Archbishop of Canterbury, both born in the 1950s. Rowan Atkinson was probably the first person I heard it on.
It's been around since at least the 1860s in the UK, but has never been common. It had a little surge in the 1950s and 60s, from maybe a couple a year to 20+, and then up to 80+ in the 70s. It's always been unisex, although I've never personally met or heard of a female Rowan, which seems strange as there are plenty in the records.
I know three adult Rowans, all male & over 30, two in the UK, one in the US, and I know of a younger Rowan who must be 12-ish now (child of a former co-worker; also male).
I think it's much more attractive as a boy's name - on a girl it seems a bit too hippy-naturey for me, like Willow.
I like it a lot, on boys. Enough to use.
I can't think offhand of any name to compare it to, it's got quite an unusual profile. Maybe there are enough 70s and 80s Rowans around for it to seem daddish? but yeah maybe it could have another surge.
It's been around since at least the 1860s in the UK, but has never been common. It had a little surge in the 1950s and 60s, from maybe a couple a year to 20+, and then up to 80+ in the 70s. It's always been unisex, although I've never personally met or heard of a female Rowan, which seems strange as there are plenty in the records.
I know three adult Rowans, all male & over 30, two in the UK, one in the US, and I know of a younger Rowan who must be 12-ish now (child of a former co-worker; also male).
I think it's much more attractive as a boy's name - on a girl it seems a bit too hippy-naturey for me, like Willow.
I like it a lot, on boys. Enough to use.
I can't think offhand of any name to compare it to, it's got quite an unusual profile. Maybe there are enough 70s and 80s Rowans around for it to seem daddish? but yeah maybe it could have another surge.
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I love Rowan, and it's very near the top of my boys' list. Hypothetical baby's surname would start with W so I'm not sure if it's too much of a repeated sound, but I might push for it regardless. Rowan Matthew after E's brother maybe, or Rowan Frederick... Rowan Zachary... Rowan Darcy... Rowan Seth?
I don't mind Rowan on other peoples' daughters, but it's not right for mine.
I think Rowan is one of those that burbles away in the background, never teaching dizzy heights but always kind of *there*. Can't think of an analogue.
I don't mind Rowan on other peoples' daughters, but it's not right for mine.
I think Rowan is one of those that burbles away in the background, never teaching dizzy heights but always kind of *there*. Can't think of an analogue.
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I don't expect it to get any more popular than it is now. I was hearing it a lot for a while but I think that was around five years ago. I haven't checked the stats, but at least in conversation its popularity would appear to be waning.
I think it's a genuinely pretty name. It has such an appealing sound that I almost don't mind that it's not at all my style. And strangely, I like it equally as a girl or boy name. If it got more popular though, I'd probably like it less. I have no real strong positive associations with Rowan. Actually, the only association I have is Brooke Shields (who has a daughter, Rowan) but she's is in those really annoying Lazy Boy (or however it's spelled) commercials so that's a bad association altogether. Ha.
I think it's a genuinely pretty name. It has such an appealing sound that I almost don't mind that it's not at all my style. And strangely, I like it equally as a girl or boy name. If it got more popular though, I'd probably like it less. I have no real strong positive associations with Rowan. Actually, the only association I have is Brooke Shields (who has a daughter, Rowan) but she's is in those really annoying Lazy Boy (or however it's spelled) commercials so that's a bad association altogether. Ha.
This message was edited 4/4/2016, 12:40 AM
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My guess is it could get into the top 100 eventually...it sounds almost trendy to me.
I think of Rowan as a unisex, nature-lovers' version of Roman or Ronan. Sort of in the way that Robin for a boy is a unisex, nature-lovers' version of Robert. Also the fact that it sounds like a surname might add to the appeal.
The first time I heard it used was for a boy, and I prefer it for a boy, although in general it doesn't seem gendered to me...I think because while the sound is similar to a lot of boys' names, I'm also more used to seeing plant/nature names for girls.
It's not one of my favorites, but I don't dislike it. Mostly it just reminds me of rowan berries.
I think of Rowan as a unisex, nature-lovers' version of Roman or Ronan. Sort of in the way that Robin for a boy is a unisex, nature-lovers' version of Robert. Also the fact that it sounds like a surname might add to the appeal.
The first time I heard it used was for a boy, and I prefer it for a boy, although in general it doesn't seem gendered to me...I think because while the sound is similar to a lot of boys' names, I'm also more used to seeing plant/nature names for girls.
It's not one of my favorites, but I don't dislike it. Mostly it just reminds me of rowan berries.
This message was edited 4/4/2016, 1:27 AM
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