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Baby names

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

Original poster

Rowan...anyone in Scotland

41 replies

Snowdrops31 · 23/02/2020 22:52

How would you pronounce Rowan in Scotland?

Row-an (as in ‘row’ your boat)

Or

Row-an (as in ‘row’, an argument )

Also would you think of it as a boys or girls name?

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Iprefergin · 23/02/2020 23:20

Interesting!
I'm Scottish but only ever heard it as row your boat!

seeingdots · 23/02/2020 23:17

NE Scotland here. Row as in argument (same as I'd pronounce the tree name) and normally a girls name. For a boy I'd probably pronounce it the other way but only because the only one I can think of is Atkinson.

babbi · 23/02/2020 23:12

Sorry .. meant to say I’m in Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 .. west coast

babbi · 23/02/2020 23:11

As in argument and a girls name .
My neighbour has a daughter called Rowan

Brenna24 · 23/02/2020 23:10

I would pronounce it the first way for a boy and the second for the girl or the tree. North East Scotland here. P.s. my first is a boy called Rowan (as in boat). Great choice of name.

Amortentia · 23/02/2020 23:07

I’m west coast and I’d pronounce it row your boat, and think it’s a girls name.

yatapina · 23/02/2020 23:07

I'm Scottish and have heard it both ways.

I've only met 5 in my whole life but of those 3 males were 1st spelling and 2 females were 2nd spelling.

We also have a service nearby that is pronounced Rowan in the 2nd spelling.

No idea which is right or if it's a local thing!

Srictlybakeoff · 23/02/2020 23:06

Scottish - and was say as in argument. Lovely name for a girl

WeeM · 23/02/2020 23:05

I’d say either boy or girl too

WeeM · 23/02/2020 23:04

Rowan as in argument- also Scottish. I think it’s a nice name too.

Pinkponiesrock · 23/02/2020 23:03

As in argument and I know an equal number of boys and girls with that name

giggly · 23/02/2020 23:02

Another Scottish one for Row as in argument. Also only known girls

bosies · 23/02/2020 23:00

I'm Scottish (north east if relevant).
I'd pronounce the 'row' as in argument

I think it's a lovely name

sleepyhead · 23/02/2020 22:59

Rowan as in argument here. West of Scotland. Both the tree and the name (only know girls personally other than R Atkinson but wouldn't blink at a boy being called it)

Pipandmum · 23/02/2020 22:56

Boys name (though I know it can be a girls). In England so don't know pronunciation in Scotland but don't know anyone who doesn't pronounce it the first way (and that includes any Scottish friends).

NeutralJanet · 23/02/2020 22:56

I'd pronounce it Row(your boat)an and its more of a boys name to me.