My son rowan is 10 months but might change pronunciation. How do you say it?

[clothaddict]

My son rowan is 10 months. I love his name. I pronounce it like row (as in cow)-an. I'm Scottish and that's just the way I've always said this name. But when I introduce him must say majority people say roe-an (rhyme with row boat). I also like this pronunciation and the more time goes on wonder if should just say it this way. A few folk have mentioned the roe-an way is masculine, row-an feminine?? I don't want my child who I have given a unisex name a different pronunciation too.

Do you think I can/ should change how I say it?! I know need do it now before poor blighter confused.

I know it's up to us how we say it and all will follow but my thinking is more folk say roe-an, might be more male and I like it that way equally! Whether I can change it in my head I don't know though. I automatically say row (as in cow).

I'm half Scottish half English & would assume RowTheBoat-an. But would be just as happy to call him RowAsInCow-an after being told that's hid name once!

I think this is a follow follow your heart one... if he will always be ROW-an in your mind then stick with it, if you are falling in love with ROE-an & think you'd be doing him a favour to make the switch you'd probably find in a year's time people have forgotten it was ever pronounced the other way.

I'm Scottish and the first syllable rhymes with cow. I like it better that way anyway.

All the Rowans I've known have been Scottish and pronounced it the same way as me

i would go for Ro-w'n too.

Row (cow) -an here. But I'd say whatever I'd be told was his name. Stick with your pronunciation - people will (should!) learn.

Personally I much prefer the 'cow' pronunciation.

I think he is and always will be a row-an (cow) to me. That's what I say and see when I see it written if you know what I mean. Roe-an much as I'm liking doesn't roll off my tongue and sounds more english to my Scottish ear.

So row-an he'll remain. It was what I'd named him after all!!

I just started getting doubts when so many people said it the other way or told me I was pronouncing the girls way.

I'm reassured and after a day or 2 of trying to see if roe-an fitted I just slipped so much to say row (as in cow).

At the end if the day that's how I'll pronounce it and he can choose later and if other people end up saying roe-an I'll not mind either.

I think either would do and people will get used to whichever you go with. In Scotland I know a female Rowan (as in the tree - cow sound), and a male Rowan (Roe-an, rhymes with row the boat), but he was of English descent, so perhaps there is a Scottish/English aspect as much as male female? I don't have much more experience than this, other than Mr Bean and Archbishop being of the row-boat variety.

I would pronounce it as you do, but I am Scottish as well.

I'm scottish and I would pronounce it Row(cow)an like the tree which is also the way I pronounce Rowan Atkinsons name.

I would think Rowan (lovely name BTW) would be Roe-n - the a is silent is it not?

To me it's Roe-an for a boy (row boat pronunciation) and Row-an (to rhyme with cow) for a girl.

I have a Rowan pronounced Roe-an although I tend to say Row'n.
The problem I'm finding, in the South East of England, is everyone is calling him Roe-in - I hate it!

This is a zombie thread from 2011! Sorry you’re having difficulty with the pronunciation too @ Ca

I work in paediatrics with newborns and there’s been a massive Roman boom this last year or two. Wasn’t surprised to hear Roman is the fastest rising name in top 100. Will be top 20 soon. Unfortunately it means many of the little Rowans I come across now get called Roman (with an M) by accident as Roman is the more common name. Hopefully that won’t happen so much for you if your Rowan was born before the influx of Roman’s

Yes both names very popular but Roman more so- .....there’s 2 little Roman’s and 1 Rowan at my sons small nursery and the Rowan just gets called Roman (with an M). I know the parents get quite frustrated but the names are just so similar and Roman is just booming in popularity.

Oh sorry this is a zombie thread from 2011. Admin feel free to remove or whatever x

we have a male Rowan and a male Rohan second one is Irish so ro-un first is roe-wan

Zombie thread but I know only Rowans (to rhyme with now or cow)

I think the main difference in how to pronounce it is generally based on if you are north or south of the border. I'm in Scotland and most people I know would say it rhyming with cow. I think it sounds great both ways and is just a personal preference.

This is a Zombie thread from 2011

I see Rowan is a predominately female name in Scotland - racing up the top 100 charts for girls but doesn’t feature on the boys list. I’ve always preferred it as a girls name but, when there’s so many lovely name to chose from I personally would pick a name that isn’t so similar to the ubiquitous Roman, just my preference though

Anyway ZOMBIE THREAD

@FlubbaBubba

I'm not Scottish, but Lachlan is definitely pronounced "Loch-lan". The alternative is just incorrect.

ZOMBIE THREAD 🧟‍♀️ **

Roe and Row sound the same in an English accent. Is it a case of accent rather than different pronunciations? Do you pronounce cow like an English person would or is it more like coo?

So more like Roo-an ?

I would definitely say Row-an (as in row your boat) but the cow pronunciation doesn’t work in my accent at all. I imagine it would sound better in a Scottish accent?

Oh arse. Zombie.

Yes ZOMBIE 🧟‍♀️

ZOMBIE 🧟‍♂️

My daughter is Rowan, pronounced Ro-ann

I would also say Row-an to rhyme with cow, and am also Scottish!