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Baby names

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

Original poster

Rowan for a boy?

31 replies

SisterCellophane · 01/08/2020 13:46

I've become suddenly enthusiastic about this name (not sure why, think it might genuinely be because it's such a nice tree...) but my partner thinks it is too girly. I know it's unisex, but in practice do you associate it with a girl or a boy? I always thought it leaned masculine tbh

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Feralkidsatthecampsite · 01/08/2020 14:08

My ds 18 is Roan.

BernardsarenotalwaysSaints · 01/08/2020 14:04

I know male & female Rowan's & I think it suits both. It's a lovely name.

PlantPotting · 01/08/2020 14:03

Rowan is my baby girl's name! It is unisex though. Currently used more for boys than girls in England but in Scotland it's a top 100 name for girls (and rising fast) but doesn't feature in the top 100 boys list.
Clearly I like the name but one thing to mention is that had I realised that RoMan (with an M) was last year's top fastest rising boy name, I wouldn't have chosen it. I think RoMan is the next Noah/Theo. There's 2 Roman's at my small local nursery so my daughter is known as "Rowan with a W" and well meaning relatives shorten her name to Row by accident (I've asked them not to but it just happens as a reflex sometimes). I don't like Row.
There's also increasing numbers of RoHan, Roan, (Ronnie and Rory's) about so it's got a trendy feel to it which wasn't what I was expecting sadly.
None of this might be a concern for you though, what bothers me might well not bother you!
Congratulations on your little boy xx

DeliaOwens · 01/08/2020 13:57

I think of surname or boys first name

Rowan for a boy?
FluffyEggsontoast · 01/08/2020 13:52

I associate with a girl as the "Anne" part sounds feminine to me and I'm biased as I know baby girls with this name.... but I know in reality it is a unisex name. It's getting used more and more for girls in America now but mainly boys still in UK.
It's a nice name but too similar to popular name Roman for me now.

MikeUniformMike · 01/08/2020 13:49

I'd associate it with Rowan Williams and Rowan Atkinson, and Rowan Pelling.

There are a lot of R boy names around right now, Roman, Reuben, Rory, ... and it sort of merges into them.