Rowan - a couple of questions.

[cairnterrier]

Rowan - do you think that this is a girl's name, a boy's name or unisex?

Would you pronounce it Roe-an or Row-an (row to rhyme with cow)?

Thanks.

Roe-an.

I've heard it used for both boys and girls.

Boys name. Roe-an.

Unisex

Roe-an

It's DS1's middle name but i would just as easily have used it for a girl

Or Rohen

Roe-an

And probably unisex, tending towards boy (Atkinson and the archbishop of Canterbury).

I love love love it as a girls name but DP vetoed it

Unisex. But I do see it more (or rather prefer it as) a boys name.
But at the same time I'm not too keen on Rowena.

I think of Rowan (rhymes with Cowan) as a girls name and know a couple of boy Rohan's.

My BIL is Rohan and I have a friend (female) called Rowan.

Is that any help?

Roe-an and a unisex name.

I know three boys and two girls with the name, all spelt Rowan.

Lovely name.

Boy's or Unisex. I know both, but mostly boys. Seems popular in under 5s round here.

I pronounce it Roe Ann.

Unisex. I think Row - like a boat. Dp thinks Row- like an argument. That's why dd is called Grace!

Roe-an and unisex.

I really love it for a girl but DD1 is Holly and I think it would have been a bit weird to name both daughters after bushes with red berries!

Thanks everyone for your replies.

Sandalwood I agree, I don't like Rowena for a girl - which of course then implies that if there is a female version that Rowan must be on the masculine side.

One further question for everyone, would you mind putting if you're Scottish or English (if you're either)? I'm not sure if this is one of those names that is pronounced differently or tends to be used more for one sex or another depending on which side of the border you are. Don't wish to exclude anyone from any other nationalities (and would love to know where you're from as well :) ) but the Scottish/English point is the most relevant in the Terrier household!

I love the name (Roe-an) and think it's unisex. Ds would have it but dh wasn't keen as it is the name of the little girl who goes missing in the Wicker Man. But if you're not familiar with the film, this should not bother you

Half Scottish myself.

The tree is traditionally pronounced Row as in argument in Scotland and Row as in boat in England.

But I think the Row as in boat ( why did I start that?!) is the more usual pronunciation everywhere now.

Roe-an.

Unisex. I prefer it for a girl's name as it's both feminine and strong which is hard to find, ut would use it for either.

All the ones that I know are Row as in boat. It is unisex, but I prefer it for a girl.

DD's classmate (boy) is Row (as in boat) an.

Row (boat) en. I'm English
Row (argument) an is how my Scottish mum says it.

Row (argument) and it's a girl's name...to me I mean, I am aware that it's sometimes pronounced differently and a boy's name, but I'd always assume it was a girl and pronounced that way.

I'm Scottish.

Roe-an - and I'm English.

I like it but it's very common around here for boys and girls, so DH has vetoed.

Very interesting and really useful replies, thanks so much everyone. Lots to think about!!