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Baby names

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

Original poster

Rowena

39 replies

Edenember · 11/04/2021 14:37

Absolutely adore this name, but I’m discouraged by the wiener or ‘wee’ related teasing potential. Is this a legitimate concern, in your opinion?

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FontyMcFontface · 11/04/2021 21:17

It’s also a variation of Rhonwen, sboncen.

Original poster
Edenember · 11/04/2021 20:48

@WildCherryBlossom nah I’m in the uk. That’s reassuring though.

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CandleWick4 · 11/04/2021 20:33

For me I hear Rowena and I think Ravenclaw but then I’m a Harry Potter fan. If you like the name go for it! That’s all that matters

WildCherryBlossom · 11/04/2021 20:29

It's a pretty name. I knew one years ago whose name was never shortened. The wiener thing would never occur to me. Are you in the US? I think wiener might be more of a thing there than in the UK. I just asked my children and none of them have ever heard of a wiener let alone thought of it as an insult.

Original poster
Edenember · 11/04/2021 19:59

Oooh... I don’t like Winnie.

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PattyPan · 11/04/2021 19:59

I thought it was pronounced row as in argument/to rhyme with now, rather than row like roe

FASDE1517 · 11/04/2021 19:40

I know one nicknamed Winnie.

Standrewsschool · 11/04/2021 19:26

Loved this name after seeing a book called ‘Seal Morning’ by Rowena Farre.

Original poster
Edenember · 11/04/2021 19:14

@IamnotwhouthinkIam I like Rowenna too, and that would completely eliminate my worries, but I prefer the strong e sound in Rowena.

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Original poster
Edenember · 11/04/2021 18:57

Thanks all, I feel reassured because I know this place of anywhere is honest! I appreciate everyone taking the time to comment.

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Emmelina · 11/04/2021 18:44

My best friend from school is a Rowena. It was only ever shortened to Row.
There’s also Rowena Ravenclaw (Harry Potter) :)

Dietcokeaddiction · 11/04/2021 18:39

I think it's a lovely name. I don't think there are obvious negative connotations.

Bbq1 · 11/04/2021 18:22

The teasing element wouldn't even occur to me... However, I know 2 Rowena"s, both adults. One has only ever been known as Row (as in row a boat).

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 11/04/2021 18:04

Nice name and I wouldn't have thought of the wiener thing at all (I think that's more US slang? And a sausage!). I suppose if she has an accident when little, kids could notice the "wee" bit , but to be honest I don't think Rowena is a particularly teasable name. I must admit I like the Welsh Rowenna even more, but that's personal taste.

Topseyt · 11/04/2021 17:43

It is a lovely name.

Sammiesnake · 11/04/2021 17:43

I know a Rowena and her name is shortened to Row. I think it’s lovely! There are lots of names with teasing potential but in reality, kids get teased because of differences/ quirks in their personality far more often than for anything to do with their name. For example, I remember a very popular girl in my primary class called Stephanie (shortened to Stephie) and I thought it was beautiful. Then in high school there was a girl who was always bullied for her appearance and nerdy nature, her name was Stephanie too and they called her Ste-FANNY. It was awful! What I’m saying is, it’s not the name.

Alonelonelyloner · 11/04/2021 17:40

One of the most beautiful and kind women I have ever met is called Rowena, so I associate nothing but positive things to this name. It is lovely.

My child did call Rowena 'weena' when she was small but I don't think most Brits think of sausages.

Original poster
Edenember · 11/04/2021 17:38

@alexdgr8 no I’m in the uk. I thought wiener as an insult (a childish form of calling someone a ‘penis’ originating from the sausage) was fairly well known. If it isn’t, that’s good enough for me, but I only know about it from hearing kids use it, which is what made me worry about that sound being so obvious in the name.

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KirstenBlest · 11/04/2021 17:37

The Poldark character was Rowella

Robin233 · 11/04/2021 17:25

Lovely name - from Poldark ?

Piglet92 · 11/04/2021 17:21

I'm thinking Harry Potter.

Himawarigirl · 11/04/2021 17:18

Love it and that issue wouldn’t have occurred to me.

SquigglePigs · 11/04/2021 17:14

It's a beautiful name.

GolfForBrains · 11/04/2021 16:36

I know a Rowena and it never even occurred to me to call her anything but, let alone that there is "wiener" in her name.

Sboncen · 11/04/2021 16:33

It isn't a Welsh name, it's Scottish.

I know one and she gets called Ro.