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Original poster

Ewan name associations??

59 replies

kbc · 03/07/2022 18:52

Hello!

My husband and I live in the US but are planning a move to the UK or Ireland in the next couple years (I'm an Irish dual citizen). Currently TTC and getting a start on our baby name list 🥰

The only boys name we both really love is Ewan. When I started doing searches about it, Ewan the Dream Sheep was coming up a lot on UK message boards... I had never heard of it before so I'm guessing it's primarily a UK thing?

My question is, how much do you associate Ewan the name with "the dream sheep"? Will it be the first thing people think of? For example over here in the states, if I child is named Oscar the first thing people associate it with is Oscar the Grouch from Sesame Street. That's kind of what we want to avoid in picking a name - anything with an unavoidable association that would be the first thing you'd think of. Of course I know with any name there's a chance that it will end up being associated with some pop culture phenomenon down the line!

My second question would be what kind of associations you have with the name Ewan? It's hard for us being from the US to know what kind of reputation certain names have in the UK. For example, over here the name Chad would be associated with a kind of dumb jock type, and a name like Josh or Ashley screams 1980's/90's. Any thoughts on the kind of "vibe" you get from Ewan?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts! 🥰

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Jofergo · 05/07/2022 21:20

Is it likely to be pronounced OK in the US?

I ask as a friend's son is Ewan. They are Scottish but rotate around international communities/ schools. He often gets called E-Wan (think Ewok) despite the famous McGregor one.

I suspect that the Euan spelling might avoid the confusion. But who knows.

BruceWaynettaSlob · 05/07/2022 15:48

The sheep toy doesn't matter. Nobody is going to ask, "why did you name your baby after a sheep?"

I'd worry that some English accents would pronounce it "urine" though. I have no idea why I think that.

I do like the name though. It would be on my shortlist if I had a second boy.

mynameisnotkate · 05/07/2022 13:21

I think it’s a great name. I personally prefer the Ewen spelling - maybe that’s less common, though I know two. I think Ewan is the most common spelling. Not so keen on Euan. One drawback is that he will often have to be spelling it and/or having people use the wrong spelling.

Amid · 05/07/2022 12:46

Euan (along with) Evan was on my short list !

Great name

supersonicspider · 05/07/2022 12:46

dementedpixie · 03/07/2022 18:56

I'm in Scotland and have a Ewan
Also could be spelled Euan

Euan is lovely

supersonicspider · 05/07/2022 12:45

Sheep. Not sure why though

Okeydoky · 05/07/2022 12:37

I think of it as good solid name. It' pretty middle class. You wouldn't be surprised if your accountant or lawyer was called Ewan, but equally it wouldn't be out of place in any other profession.

Great name, go for it.

Yes there is the dream sheep, but honestly only parents over the last few years will think that, and because kids are done with it by 2 it's not the sort of things kids would pick up on in the playground.

Ashamedteeth · 05/07/2022 12:29

Common name here - although spelt the welsh way - Iwan.

Changedmynamefor · 05/07/2022 12:27

OnaBegonia · 05/07/2022 10:21

To add @Changedmynamefor Euan isn't an incorrect spelling 😀

Oh, I know that @OnaBegonia and I realise I expressed myself a bit clumsily - what I meant was Euan is the incorrect spelling if you are Ewan, and vice versa. I was trying to say that if you are worried about your child having to spell out their name to people so they get it right then it's perhaps not one to go for as there are many versions.

HeadNorth · 05/07/2022 11:11

RedLorryTime · 05/07/2022 09:29

I'm in Scotland and I've yet to meet a Ewan. It obviously varies by area.

Interesting - I am in Perthshire and around here/central belt it is a fairly standard name - maybe less for babies, my children are older so I only know adult Ewans. Perhaps it isn't especially popular for babies now,

KirstenBlest · 05/07/2022 10:39

I know 2 Euans and both are scottish. I don't know any Ewans, but I know several Iwans.
(Iwan is pronounced EWE-ann but has the same meaning)

OnaBegonia · 05/07/2022 10:21

To add @Changedmynamefor Euan isn't an incorrect spelling 😀

OnaBegonia · 05/07/2022 10:18

I have a Euan, chosen as we are Scottish and it can't be shortened.
Reasonably popular, still love it after 20 years.

CatSeany · 05/07/2022 10:12

I thought of our dream sheep when I read your question. I also met a newborn baby Ewan recently and whilst I thought of the sheep fleetingly then, it was overridden by him being a beautiful baby. If you like the name then don't let the sheep put you off!

Silene · 05/07/2022 10:08

Never even heard of Ewen the Dream Sheep!! my grandfather, gt grandad, and more going back centuries were all Ewen, one was Ewen Ruaidh! Ewen the Red. It's a great name, go for it!

REP22 · 05/07/2022 10:04

My DN is called Ewan. He's lovely. My first thought when told his name was of Ewan McGregor. I've not heard of the sheep - but he doesn't sound like a malevolent ovine...! I think Ewan is a really nice name.

Best wishes, whatever you decide.

AppleCharlottie · 05/07/2022 09:57

It's a very Scottish name and reminds me of Ewan McGregor.
I've never heard of the sheep.

RedLorryTime · 05/07/2022 09:29

I'm in Scotland and I've yet to meet a Ewan. It obviously varies by area.

Titsflyingsouth · 05/07/2022 07:56

Ewan the Dream Sheep is not a hugely strong association tbh so I wouldn't let it put you off.

Other options could be: Evan, Owen, Ivan...

SummerPuddings · 05/07/2022 07:55

🐏🐑

HeadNorth · 05/07/2022 07:55

It is popular in Scotland, where it is a generic, white, respectable, boy's name. No negative class or behaviour associations. Ewan McGregor from Crieff kind of epitomises the social milieu that may use the name. My children are older so I have never heard of the sheep.

clpsmum · 05/07/2022 07:49

I'm in Scotland and lots of Ewan/Euan here. Never heard of a sheep. It's a lovely name

Fivebeanchilli · 05/07/2022 07:41

It's a great name. I'm aware of the sheep but it's not enough of a cultural reference to worry about.
I'm in England and don't know any young Ewans. All the ones I've met have been lovely.

RhubarbFairy · 05/07/2022 07:31

I did think of the sheep, but that's because I've got two of him.

Honestly, don't worry. People will make associations with everything.

My DC both have names that are characters of a long-running popular young children's television show.

When DS2 was born, a couple of people made comments and suggested what we name a third child to keep in with the theme.

I smiled and nodded (we were aware of the association when we chose the name) and now they're 11 and 9 and it's not been mentioned in the better part of those 9 years.

We chose each name because we liked them.

Also, I work in a school and work with a 4 year old Ewan. He's awesome.

ZoyaTheDestroyer · 05/07/2022 07:26

Changedmynamefor · 03/07/2022 19:26

I think of Ewan McGregor. The biggest issue I’ve seen with people who have it as a name is that it’s often spelt wrong (Euan) by others and they have to correct it.

I think it’s a great, classic name.

Euan isn’t wrong Confused. It may not be their chosen spelling but it’s perfectly correct.