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Baby names

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

Original poster

Roan? Roan cannot be a real name.. can it? :s

37 replies

PamShoo · 28/08/2014 13:13

Hello - first post here, I feel nervous haha!

Pregnant with first DC - had a dream (I knowBlush) about a red headed boy with the name Roan?! Confused
Mentioned it to DH this morning - not as a suggestion, more along the lines of 'weird dream' conversation - he is considering it as a name.. says it sounds like a nice name to use.. I on the other hand cannot possibly believe it is an actual name?!

Is it? I can't use it for DC, can I..?
I think I know the answer to this next question but-- what would you think if you heard a child with this name?

OP posts:
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eagle2010 · 28/08/2014 13:29

Roan is a Celtic name - think the original name is Rowan and it means "red headed".

Roan is also the Irish Gaelic word for "seal" if that means anything!

KittyandTeal · 28/08/2014 13:29

I taught a red haired Roan (pronounced ro-an) a few years ago. How weird. He was lovely but had a very tough life.

UnrelatedToElephants · 28/08/2014 13:26

Rohan for a boy, Rowan for a girl (in my experience). If you didn't see it written down in your dream, could he have been a little Rohan?

Wenchelda · 28/08/2014 13:20

Not heard of Roan but I LOVE Rowan, for a boy or girl.

Bowlersarm · 28/08/2014 13:20

Not sure if it's a proper name, but I like it!

mineymo · 28/08/2014 13:19

I know a male Rohan and a female Rowan, both pronounced Row - an. Roan as I know it is pronounced to rhyme with bone and is a reddish colour, think Irish setters or red horses. It could be a welsh/irish variation of Rowan though I suppose. Get thee to nameberry.

RustyBear · 28/08/2014 13:18

I know a 12 year old boy called Roan, pronounced Row-un (Row as in your boat, not as in argument)

IntheYear2525 · 28/08/2014 13:17

Roan is a colour, I've only ever heard it used for horses and it's a mix of white and coloured (usually chestnut) hairs and it makes the horse look pink-ish. It would be appropriate for a red-headed boy and I think it sounds quite nice. He might be mistaken for Rowan or Ronan quite a bit though.

FreeSpiritsBadAttitude · 28/08/2014 13:17

Roan is a northern European variant of Rowan. I quite like it.

SirChenjin · 28/08/2014 13:16

Roan is a coat colour for animals. I know a Rohan - not sure if that's any better?

PamBagnallsGotACollage · 28/08/2014 13:15

Like Rowan as in Rowan Atkinson or R-ow-n?

bakingtins · 28/08/2014 13:15

Rowan? It can be used for either sex, but I only personally know a girl called this.
Roan is a colour for horses, sorry.