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Baby names

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Original poster

Rowan- girls or boys name?

38 replies

CarryOnDancing · 06/11/2009 13:16

I love this as a girls name, and I know someone with it but DP is convinced it is only a boys name after only meeting male Rowans and will therefore not consider it for our bump.

Opinions on this and use of name please.

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Anotherregularcalledrowan · 07/11/2009 08:34

All your post (even my smear test reminder this year) is addressed to Mr.
Everyone always says 'But isn't that a boys name' or tries to pronounce it Rowanne, even though you have just said it to them as they think it sounds better that way.
In hospital they kept calling me by my middle name as they couldn't believe that it was my name, because its a boys name.

Having said that I love my name! I love that I am named after a tree (the mountain ash that grew in my parents driveway)
I get extra hassle as I worked in a call centre and refuse to make up a name to avoid the endless conversations.

I have a male cousin and a female friend at school called Rowan so 2 girls to 1 boy.

NorbertDentressangle · 07/11/2009 08:01

CarryOnDancing -the shop sold posh wools, knitting stuff and gifts. Very girly so that might help your arguement.

Not sure if its still there actually but it was in Gloucester Green in Oxford

Lerato · 06/11/2009 20:52

The only thing I would add is that it can also be a surname, so wouldn't use it unless your surname is an obvious surname.

Scottie22 · 06/11/2009 20:14

I see it as more of a boys name but have known a female Rowan too!

MrsVik · 06/11/2009 19:59

It's definitely a 'both' name. We're using it as a middle name for our daughter due in January.

heymammy · 06/11/2009 18:26

oh...and I'm scottish so that prob makes a difference - loads of girls called Rowan up here

heymammy · 06/11/2009 18:23

Rowan is top of the list for my imaginery dd3. I think it's really pretty for a girl and is pronounced row (rhymes with cow)-an

Regmncalledrowan · 06/11/2009 18:19

Either.As a female Rowan the only downside is getting post adressed to Mr.

My Rowan tally other than self.

Female,one other
Male,two.

MrsWoolf · 06/11/2009 18:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PestoMonster · 06/11/2009 17:56

I know one boy called this, but thought the female version was Rowena. Knew one of these too, many moons ago.

ja9 · 06/11/2009 17:54

i only know girls

birdofthenorth · 06/11/2009 17:54

Both. I new a vile male Rowan (inherited his family small business empire, wanted to make his first million by the age of 21) and a really lovely female Rowan... so I prefer it for girls, but obviously I'm biased!

Some girls spell it Rowen too.

qumquat · 06/11/2009 17:30

It's either but I prefer it for a girl. Go for it!

Original poster
CarryOnDancing · 06/11/2009 16:49

Norbert it may help if the shop sells lingerie or beauty products...please tell me it does!!

OP posts:
MintyCane · 06/11/2009 16:33

either

diddl · 06/11/2009 16:30

It´s a name I´d avoid because it can be either/or.

NorbertDentressangle · 06/11/2009 16:27

The only Rowan I know is an adult male

(oh, and a shop, but I guess that doesn't count)

Original poster
CarryOnDancing · 06/11/2009 16:23

I think this has highlighted a potential regional difference in the use of the name. Sadly not helping my cause!
Although DP works in recruitment in the Midlands and the Northwest and still claims to only have male Rowans on his books.

OP posts:
nowwearefour · 06/11/2009 16:16

gosh would never have thought of it as a girl's name

forkhandles · 06/11/2009 15:49

unisex, I only know a little girl Rowan though

sausagesupper · 06/11/2009 15:48

girl

sweetnitanitro · 06/11/2009 15:43

megseleven- welcome to MN The Wicker Man connection is the exact reason that my DH wouldn't let us have Rowan. We've still only 1 DD at the moment so I may have another opportunity to persuade him!

Original poster
CarryOnDancing · 06/11/2009 14:26

Hmmm if only, not only do I have this hill to climb but I have another hurdle before any poss persuasion stands a chance- please see my other thread 'Lola?- Help with potential Family Feud!'

Glad my question could help megseleven, congrats!

OP posts:
megseleven · 06/11/2009 14:19

How funny, came on MN for the first time ever today with the hope of asking a similar question!
As far as I am aware it is a unisex name (Rowan Williams/Atkinson are the obvious male examples) but like you I only want to use it if we have a girl. I came on here to see how other people perceive it. There is a girl named Rowan in the film 'The Whicker Man' but was worried that a girl will be forever asked 'isn't that a boy's name?' Still, it seems from this discussion that most people see it as a unisex name so I think we will go for it if we have a girl, hope you can convince your DP as it is a lovely name.

discountmum · 06/11/2009 14:13

It's a very pretty name, which I think of as unisex due to Rowan Pelling. My guess is that more people would think of it as a male name, so I think I might go for it as a middle name for a girl.