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Baby names

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

Original poster

Owen: boring or classic?

39 replies

crabette · 21/10/2020 17:05

Thinking of Owen for a boy's name.

Can't quite decide if it's in the cool category of being underused; classic; known and pronounceable but a bit unusual / quirky; strong; and masculine.... which is entirely what I want.

....or if I'm just being boring! What do you guys think?

Our fave girls option is Nina, if that helps in terms of our style.

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DramaAlpaca · 21/10/2020 18:29

Eoin isn't a variant spelling of Owen.

Eoin is an Irish form of John. Owen is Welsh and means 'noble'. They sound similar (not the same) but are otherwise unconnected.

I like both a lot.

Shayisgreat · 21/10/2020 18:17

I like it spelt as Eoin.

MikeUniformMike · 21/10/2020 18:16

I think it means of noble birth.
I think of it more as a surname.

The welsh version, Owain,is nicer as a first name but probably not in Scotland.

kennelmaid · 21/10/2020 18:01

What about Owain, which I think is the original spelling

Coldwinterahead1 · 21/10/2020 17:55

I love the name ❤️

SuitedandBooted · 21/10/2020 17:52

Classic Welsh name. Really nice. I'm Welsh so may be biased!

Not that common, as 455 registered as that last year, and not at all boring.

names.darkgreener.com/#owen

SeanCailleach · 21/10/2020 17:23

Owen. Classic. No name is boring when it belongs to a person.

I think it means "river".

Topseyt · 21/10/2020 17:22

I like it. It is a nice, classic Welsh name. Not that I am Welsh, but I do think it has a lovely sound to it.

phantomish · 21/10/2020 17:22

What about Owen spelt Eoin? My son's spelling. He's Scottish

Original poster
crabette · 21/10/2020 17:21

Not Welsh! And no Welsh heritage either. (Both Scottish.)
Not sure if that makes a difference to the responses!

OP posts:
RenegadeMrs · 21/10/2020 17:20

Classic!

Happyhippy99 · 21/10/2020 17:16

Beautiful name.
Are you Welsh? If so what about Ioan.
Either way he’ll have a great name.

veeboo · 21/10/2020 17:14

Classic. Im Welsh if that makes a difference

BatleyTownswomensGuild · 21/10/2020 17:08

I have an Owen! Grin

Have never regretted it. It's a classic name, not over-used, easy to spell, easy to pronounce in different languages/accents, and it suits both little boys and grown men. Go for it!