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Baby names

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

Original poster

Quick poll - you hear of a baby called Rowan, are they...

149 replies

PegLegAntoine · 01/04/2017 08:02

A boy or a girl? What would you assume first?
Thanks!

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Universitychallenging · 01/04/2017 08:32

Boy. Know 2. One spelled Roan and one Rowan.

Rockaby · 01/04/2017 08:32

This is one of the few names where I wouldn't assume either. I love it for both!

ItMustBeBedtimeSurely · 01/04/2017 08:33

Boy

GimbleInTheWabe · 01/04/2017 08:39

I know a female and male Rowan and I have to say I love the name for either gender.
Male Rowan was pronounced roe-an
Female was pronounced Row-an (like you're having a row with someone

Don't know if this is a rule to pronounce like this.

For what it's worth my male Rowan is the travel the world, snorkel teacher in Bali, windswept and handsome type. Female Rowan looks like a renaissance painting, with amazing ginger hair and went to Oxford Uni.

Allthebubbles · 01/04/2017 08:40

Boy

Sophronia · 01/04/2017 08:41

I'd assume boy, but I only like it for a girl

BikeRunSki · 01/04/2017 08:41

Either, I know some of each. Lovely name.

Pemba · 01/04/2017 08:41

Girl - I had a cousin called this, also book and film female characters.

But of course I know it can be male too - like Rowan Atkinson and Rowan thingy the ex-Archbishop of Canterbury.

Artus · 01/04/2017 08:41

Boy - Rowan Atkinson

Thingvellir · 01/04/2017 08:42

I think boy but it's definitely a unisex name

I have a name that is a male name in France. When I was living there people used to assume I was male before meeting me, didn't bother me at all, I found it funny

Ilovewillow · 01/04/2017 08:47

Either, I know a male Rowan but I think it would be equally as lovely for a female - it's a lovely name!

SimplyNigella · 01/04/2017 08:49

I've known both. There is a very sweet little girl called Rowan at nursery with DS and it really suits her.

Bananamanfan · 01/04/2017 08:50

Boy, but i think fine for a girl. Lovely name either way.

CadburyMellos · 01/04/2017 08:51

Boy

goodpiemissedthechips · 01/04/2017 08:51

Could be either. I know one of each.

MrsBungle · 01/04/2017 08:52

The only Rowan I know is a girl but then I knew of Rowan Atkinson long before she was born. I wouldn't make an assumption.

liquidrevolution · 01/04/2017 08:53

Two girls and a boy. Its a unisex name. Love it.

BadToTheBone · 01/04/2017 09:01

Ds has a 15 yo friend called Rowan. I'd go Boy, it seems masculine to me but I think it's unisex.

Jooni · 01/04/2017 09:08

I know one of each. I would probably assume boy if I heard it out of context but I think it's lovely for either sex.

robinia · 01/04/2017 09:09

Boy but not 100%

purplecoathanger · 01/04/2017 09:09

Boy

TheElephantofSurprise · 01/04/2017 09:09

Boy. My late mother's godson, now 60ish, is Rowan.

Asmoto · 01/04/2017 09:14

No assumption either way. I prefer it as a female name, though.

pieceofpurplesky · 01/04/2017 09:14

I teach both. Lovely name.
Morgan and Jordan also unisex

NameyMcNamerson83 · 01/04/2017 09:18

I'd say boy, but it could work for a girl. My first assumption would be boy though