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Baby names

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

Original poster

Rowan or Rían (Ree-an) for our boy 🩵

35 replies

Maero · 12/11/2025 22:24

where I’m from Rían has become super popular. Help us decide please & suggestions with middle names would be super appreciated too.

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Piapea · 13/11/2025 06:25

OP are you from Ireland? Rian has risen in popularity so much in the past 10 years. It used to be top of my boy list but now I prefer Rowan, but they are both great choices.

Another option, if you are in Ireland is Ruadhan (I'm not going to attempt to get the fadas right).
It's pronounced Roo-awn.

SalmonOnFinnCrisp · 13/11/2025 06:05

Rowan

Moreteaandchocolate · 13/11/2025 05:37

I like Rowan.

Earlgreyhottish · 13/11/2025 00:20

It doesn’t need a fada.

The surname doesn’t have one and the original meaning of Rian (from which the surname Ó Riain /Ryan) is derived is unknown.

If you did want to use a name meaning little king that would be Ríán…the name doesn’t make sense with one fada even though it seems to be popular now.

DanDin · 13/11/2025 00:10

If you ask about Fionn, you'll get a few 'It's a Welsh girl's name' because it looks a bit like Ffion, and Rían might get mixed up with Rhian or Ryan.

Rhian isn't 'Ree Ann', it's RHEE-ann (REE-ann at a pinch). Was very popular in the 1960s.

In England and Wales, Ryan was very popular in the1990s. Seems dated now but for me it's still strongly associated with the immensely talented Ryan Davies.

TheCurious0range · 12/11/2025 23:01

Rowan

Anotherdayanotherdollar · 12/11/2025 23:00

Dmsandfloatydress · 12/11/2025 22:27

Ree Ann spelt Rhian is a very popular Welsh girls name . Particularly among women in their 40s. Come to Wales and every other 40 something woman is called Rhian, Rhiann or Rhiannon. Don't do it to the kid! It's Ryan or Rowan with Rowan being more up market.

Rían is an Irish boys name. It means little king. I think it depends on where the OP lives.

StrongLikeMamma · 12/11/2025 22:55

Rohan is nice.

Dmsandfloatydress · 12/11/2025 22:27

Ree Ann spelt Rhian is a very popular Welsh girls name . Particularly among women in their 40s. Come to Wales and every other 40 something woman is called Rhian, Rhiann or Rhiannon. Don't do it to the kid! It's Ryan or Rowan with Rowan being more up market.

Denim4ever · 12/11/2025 22:25

Also Roan is a variant

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