Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

What to think of the name rowan Ian

40 replies

Jaguaracross · 23/08/2019 10:21

I really love the name rowan but babys middle name will be Ian as that runs through dps family not sure if rowan sounds bad with Ian though

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
AiryFairyMum · 28/08/2019 14:07

I'd ditch ian. Are you just including it to appease your husband's parents?

mogtheexcellent · 28/08/2019 10:38

I know several male and female Rowans. Its a unisex name.

Proseccoinamug · 24/08/2019 22:32

It was originally a boys’ name (Rowan Atkinson, Rowan Williams) and used later for girls. It’s generally accepted to be a unisex name now. I know two Rowans, both boys.

Re. Ian - as others have said, break it up with another name.

Rowan Alexander Ian
Rowan Joseph Ian
Rowan Henry Ian

Etc etc

Even adding a third name changes the way it flows.

Rowan Ian Henry
Rowan Ian William

Etc etc

BeanBag7 · 24/08/2019 16:12

@GeorgiaGirl52 I've never met a female Rowan. It's definitely unisex at least

SubisYodrethwhenLarping · 24/08/2019 10:42

The op says the middle name will be IAN as it is a family name

So the middle name or one of them will be Ian

neverornow · 24/08/2019 10:06

Love the name Rowan!
But not sure about Ian as a middle name though.
It's actually not an easy one to match a middle name with now that I think of it....but the below sound slightly better with Rowan

Rowan Thomas
Rowan Charles
Rowan John
Rowan James

sanityisamyth · 24/08/2019 08:32

@GeorgiaGirl52 Rowan is NOT a girl's name. I know it used on both sexes.

@Jaguaracross Rowan Ian doesn't flow. I agree with PP to use another middle name in there to break up the sounds. Rowan is a lovely name for a boy.

notso · 24/08/2019 08:24

It sounds like a nationality.
Although it's rare that middle names are actually used so it won't be a major problem. I think I'd add a name in between though.

finished31 · 24/08/2019 07:51

Rowan is a lovely name and as other postered have said it doesn't really matter about the flow unless it is used a lot.

You could add a third name. Rowan George Ian N(surname)

Roan is an alternative that's just as nice.

WLmum · 24/08/2019 07:21

Going against the general feeling but I really rather like it. I think it does flow and is nice to say. I love having middle names that have a strong family link. Added to a first name that you love, I think it's a winner.

MsTSwift · 24/08/2019 07:15

Dh has a first name and middle name both ending in same two letters as the middle name a family name. Personally think it sounds abit ridiculous. Plus the family name is from his grandfather who his family get all misty eyed over but I found to be a rude grumpy old man who once tried to kiss me on the mouth (boak) so I wouldn’t have bothered naming anyone after him

SubisYodrethwhenLarping · 24/08/2019 07:11

Rowan Atkinson = Mr Bean

So it might be like Hilary - for boys and girls

Can't think of a female famous person with it atm though

Cookit · 24/08/2019 07:07

Ian doesn’t go with many names Smile

Just use it with your chosen first name especially as it will so rarely be used. I don’t think I’ve ever said my children’s middle names other than when they were born and people asked what they were.

Esto · 24/08/2019 06:57

Ian/Iain is a form of John, could you possibly use that instead?

I have to admit though I think of Rowan as a girl's name and it also falls into my banned list due to pronunciation issues. Row as in row a boat or Row as in getting into trouble?

TheNumberfaker · 24/08/2019 06:53

He will use both names so rarely together, it doesn’t really matter how it flows. Just use the firstname that you love and the middle one that means so much.

SubisYodrethwhenLarping · 24/08/2019 06:42

Sorry missed the end of the sentence

*then I don't think it matters day to day what his middle name is cos he will just be called Rowan iyswim

GeorgiaGirl52 · 24/08/2019 06:40

Rowan is a girl's name.
Ian is a boy's name.

SubisYodrethwhenLarping · 24/08/2019 06:40

As long as the surname doesn't start with P

As you won't be calling him Rowan Ian come down for your tea or in the park Rowan Ian come on it is time to go home now etc or the teachers during the register Rowan Ian

or put another name from your side of family, like DF or DGF or DGGF

mogtheexcellent · 24/08/2019 06:21

I had the same problem with DD. First name has two syllables as well. We added an extra middle name to break it up more.

Funnily enough we were using Ina in tribute to an Ian (one to remember if you have a girl in future) Grin

flumpybear · 24/08/2019 06:18

Rowan (stupid 📱)

flumpybear · 24/08/2019 06:17

As PP have said, separate with another middle name
Roman Matthew Ian

Etc

Catbrat · 24/08/2019 06:13

Rowan is a lovely name btw, I loved Rowan and Roman but my OH didn't like them Sad

Catbrat · 24/08/2019 06:10

My son's middle name doesn't flow well, but it was his passed away Grandads name and it was important to my OH to honour him so we went with it anyway.
We added another middle name, which I think helps with the pronounciation, it seems to be said as 3 different names broken up rather than trying to flow the first and middle name together if you get what I mean.
Something like Rowan Ian James, Rowan Ian Henry, or Rowan Ian Ben.

katesalwayslate · 24/08/2019 06:00

Posted too soon. And no they don’t sound good together. Can you lose Ian?

katesalwayslate · 24/08/2019 06:00

Rowan is lovely but Ian is horrid.