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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Help!! Rowen or Freya?

55 replies

scubastevie · 03/02/2013 16:32

I'm an awful mind changer. I change my mind about everything!! We had decided on Rowen for our baby girl but a friend recently mentioned it in a sort of I-don't-like-that-name sort of way. This is precisely why we didn't want to tell anyone as I don't want anyone poo-pooing it. So we also like Freya but it is so popular (no.25). So, do you like Rowen? Do you like Freya? Am I being silly about popularity (how many Freya's do you know?) any alternative suggestions please?? Thank you!!

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goinglone · 04/02/2013 12:32

Freya is much nicer. Rowan is a boys' name. Rowan for a girl seems very downmarket to me; a bit like Morgan.

ThePoorMansBeckySharp · 04/02/2013 07:33

Rowan by default as Freya is very faddy. Will be like Tiffany or similar. V dated.

Original poster
scubastevie · 04/02/2013 07:26

Opps posted too soon. It looks like Rowen is most popular. The Rowan/Rowen spelling thing is Really Annoying. I am not sure what to do - some say Rowan is the boys spelling and en is the girls spelling but I don't want to look like we have just changed it to be different! It's just the way we thought the girls version is meant to be spelt! It seems as though she will have to spell it less with Rowan...but DH wants Rowen. Hmmm!!
Interestingly noone has said they hate both or offered any alternatives.

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Original poster
scubastevie · 04/02/2013 07:22

Thank you all so much for replying. (Keep them coming if you've read this far!) l

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ReluctantMother · 03/02/2013 21:42

I've always thought of Rowan as a boy's name.

littletreesmum · 03/02/2013 21:39

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shallweshop · 03/02/2013 21:35

I like Rowan.

Pleasenomorepeppa · 03/02/2013 21:34

Love Rowan Smile.

TenthMuse · 03/02/2013 21:33

Much, much prefer Rowan - it's one of my favourite girl's names, which is strange as I'm not usually a fan of unisex names. Love how it's strong and not too frilly but still sounds pretty, plus there's the link with the rowan tree. Freya is nice too but overdone and somewhat faddy; I've taught loads over the past few years.

abbyfromoz · 03/02/2013 20:56

Rowan does sound quite masculine. Much prefer Freya.

Witchesbrewandbiscuits · 03/02/2013 20:44

i just had to comment as i recently met a rowen. rowan is boys spelling. anyway initially i thought urgh thats a boys name but it has grown on me so much and is so pretty. i think this is the norm reaction with something thats not popular. go with rowen! Smile

LarkinSky · 03/02/2013 20:41

Is RowEn spelt wrong? I always heard it as RowAn (know a couple, both genders). Gorgeous name, somehow strong but ethereal at the same time.

Freya always makes me think of those lovely black and white cows (I have an odd word association thing - fresian perhaps?) I think it's still a nice name too though.

JumpingJackSprat · 03/02/2013 18:33

freya is a pretty name i know two, one aged three and the other 14. i dont like rowan i.prefer rowena but then its not my baby!

toobreathless · 03/02/2013 18:28

I LOVE Rowan.

Really don't like Freya I'm afraid think its overused and faddy.

meditrina · 03/02/2013 18:23

Rowan is unisex: are you OK with that? I think it's a lovely name.

Rowen looks as if it's a letter short of Rowena.

Freya is lovely as well: I haven't come across a little one for a while, though I know several who are 10ish.

sw11mumofone · 03/02/2013 18:14

I think Freya is prettier and I've never met one. I always think that Rowan is a man's name - I instantly think of Rowan Atkinson...

Allalonenow · 03/02/2013 18:01

I like Freya best, a lovely name.

MortifiedAdams · 03/02/2013 17:56

I prefer Freya. I really don't factor in 'popularity' when choosing a name.

badtime · 03/02/2013 17:53

Rowan or Rowena rather than Rowen. Freya is okay, but not as nice.

balia · 03/02/2013 17:35

Another vote for Rowan - there were 3 Freyas at my baby massage class, (that was 5 years ago).

BuntyPenfold · 03/02/2013 17:30

Rowan is lovely; I have one.
We know 5 Rowans, all female, aged 10-35, so quite an age range. 3 of them are Rowan Elizabeth.
We have a Rowan tree the same age as DD which is nice too.

SecretNutellaFix · 03/02/2013 17:03

Rowan or Rowena.

Freya is still popular, but on the wane. Know of 4. Only one an adult.

MidnightMasquerader · 03/02/2013 16:50

No contest: Rowan/Rowen.

Freya is done now. So 'of it's era'. It will date.

Rowan is a timeless, elegant classic.

derektheladyhamster · 03/02/2013 16:44

I prefer Rowen (I know a lovely one about 10 years old)

SneezySnatcher · 03/02/2013 16:44

I like Rowan best, as long as it's spelled 'Rowan', not 'Rowen'.

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