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Baby names

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

Original poster

I like baby name Rowan BUT....

59 replies

MissHenty · 04/09/2019 09:16

I already have one DC (now 5yo) go through preschool and baby groups, and everywhere I go there has been a selection of Rowan, Roman and Ronan’s (also Reubens but that’s less confusing). I think all those names must now be top 100 so they are likely to mix regularly and are SO SIMILAR. I’ve noticed the parent has to keep explaining how their child’s name is spelt to decipher them from the other names. No thanks!

Anyway thinking of alternative names.... perhaps Lucas? What do you think? Something fairly soft and gentle sounding. ie nothing like Hunter or Wolf.

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meepmoop · 04/09/2019 12:31

How about Lowen? Its a Cornish name but very similar

PaulHollywoodsSexGut · 04/09/2019 12:22

What about Ezra?

Zephan?

Abel?

(can you see a theme here)

Padfootprongs · 04/09/2019 12:22

Shame about Rowan that’s a great name, I haven’t come across anyone called Rowan or Roman at my toddler groups if that helps! I really like both Seth and Peter, you probably won’t meet many other baby Peters around either. I’ve always liked Lucas too but find it a bit overdone now, maybe because I’ve met quite a few Lucas’.

Other suggestions
Gabriel
Louis
Robin
Jasper
Leo (top 10 though!)
Rafael
Elijah
Felix
Casper
Dexter

FantasticPhyllis · 04/09/2019 12:04

Roman was 62nd and Rowan 89th most popular names in England & Wales during 2018. Ronan is way down at 351st. Of 5 years of playgroups etc I've only ever come across one Rowan.

Lucas was actually the 26th most popular name of 2018.

What about Sebastian or Toby? (still popular mind)

Laquila · 04/09/2019 11:53

I’m really surprised at that! I actually love the name Roman but I don’t love the Polanski associations, otherwise we’d have seriously considered it.

Original poster
MissHenty · 04/09/2019 09:59

@Laquila I’ve just checked and RoMan (“with an M”) is now no 62, so there’s been a fair few I’ve come across. It’s risen in popularity massively in recent years

Thank you for those suggestions, I particularly love Robin, that’s a good one

OP posts:
Laquila · 04/09/2019 09:29

Seth and Peter are both lovely. FWIW, I know a baby Rowan and his name doesn’t seem to get co fused by anyone. I’d be surprised if Ronan or Roman were top 100, to be honest.

A couple of suggestions:

Barnaby
Conrad
Ewan/Euan
Henrik
Aaron
Nathaniel
Neal
Fraser
Robin
Liam
Remy
Noah

Original poster
MissHenty · 04/09/2019 09:25

Seth and Peter are nice
Any other “gentle” sounding names you can think of now that Rowan is off the cards

OP posts:
Original poster
MissHenty · 04/09/2019 09:19

My current 5yo name is a pretty common name (top 10) if that helps. I’d prefer it to be slightly less common but there we go.... I still like the name and it’s gentle sounding

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