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Baby names

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

Original poster

I like baby name Rowan BUT....

59 replies

MissHenty · 04/09/2019 09:16

I already have one DC (now 5yo) go through preschool and baby groups, and everywhere I go there has been a selection of Rowan, Roman and Ronan’s (also Reubens but that’s less confusing). I think all those names must now be top 100 so they are likely to mix regularly and are SO SIMILAR. I’ve noticed the parent has to keep explaining how their child’s name is spelt to decipher them from the other names. No thanks!

Anyway thinking of alternative names.... perhaps Lucas? What do you think? Something fairly soft and gentle sounding. ie nothing like Hunter or Wolf.

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Original poster
MissHenty · 04/09/2019 09:19

My current 5yo name is a pretty common name (top 10) if that helps. I’d prefer it to be slightly less common but there we go.... I still like the name and it’s gentle sounding

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Original poster
MissHenty · 04/09/2019 09:25

Seth and Peter are nice
Any other “gentle” sounding names you can think of now that Rowan is off the cards

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Laquila · 04/09/2019 09:29

Seth and Peter are both lovely. FWIW, I know a baby Rowan and his name doesn’t seem to get co fused by anyone. I’d be surprised if Ronan or Roman were top 100, to be honest.

A couple of suggestions:

Barnaby
Conrad
Ewan/Euan
Henrik
Aaron
Nathaniel
Neal
Fraser
Robin
Liam
Remy
Noah

Original poster
MissHenty · 04/09/2019 09:59

@Laquila I’ve just checked and RoMan (“with an M”) is now no 62, so there’s been a fair few I’ve come across. It’s risen in popularity massively in recent years

Thank you for those suggestions, I particularly love Robin, that’s a good one

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Laquila · 04/09/2019 11:53

I’m really surprised at that! I actually love the name Roman but I don’t love the Polanski associations, otherwise we’d have seriously considered it.

FantasticPhyllis · 04/09/2019 12:04

Roman was 62nd and Rowan 89th most popular names in England & Wales during 2018. Ronan is way down at 351st. Of 5 years of playgroups etc I've only ever come across one Rowan.

Lucas was actually the 26th most popular name of 2018.

What about Sebastian or Toby? (still popular mind)

Padfootprongs · 04/09/2019 12:22

Shame about Rowan that’s a great name, I haven’t come across anyone called Rowan or Roman at my toddler groups if that helps! I really like both Seth and Peter, you probably won’t meet many other baby Peters around either. I’ve always liked Lucas too but find it a bit overdone now, maybe because I’ve met quite a few Lucas’.

Other suggestions
Gabriel
Louis
Robin
Jasper
Leo (top 10 though!)
Rafael
Elijah
Felix
Casper
Dexter

PaulHollywoodsSexGut · 04/09/2019 12:22

What about Ezra?

Zephan?

Abel?

(can you see a theme here)

meepmoop · 04/09/2019 12:31

How about Lowen? Its a Cornish name but very similar

Laquila · 04/09/2019 14:03

Also just thought of Abraham/Abe, and I know an absolutely gorgeous baby Graeme! Or Grayson? That was on our list.

Original poster
MissHenty · 04/09/2019 14:31

Abel! - that’s nice!! Thank you

It’s only recently that RoMan’s popularity has gone a bit mad. Maybe it’s that’s Roman Kemp who is on the radio. Don’t know where they’ve all suddenly sprouted from.

But yes thank you very much for all the gentle name suggestions

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Original poster
MissHenty · 04/09/2019 14:32

Grayson is lovely too and doesn’t sound too similar to other names

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Original poster
MissHenty · 04/09/2019 14:35

@FantasticPhyllis yes I see Lucas is higher up the name charts but it’s not almost identical to a load of other names (eg Mucas isn’t a popular name 🤣)

I suppose it’d be like Gary/Barry and Harry all being in top 100 (which I know they aren’t!). You’d have to continually say “Garry with a G” for example 🤣

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BogglesGoggles · 04/09/2019 14:36

Lucus was a popular ‘bogan’ nsne when I was growing up but I’m not sure I’ve ever met any in Britain.

Satchell · 04/09/2019 14:37

I have a Rowan and would say its uncommon amongst his age group. Hes nearly 12.

Satchell · 04/09/2019 14:38

People don't mistake it for Roman.

Original poster
MissHenty · 04/09/2019 14:55

12 years ago neither Rowan or Roman were in the top 100 (now they both are!)
In fact there were hardly any 12 years ago- RoMan would have been a completely obscure name back then! It’s a different landscape now 🤣

Thank you for your input

Oh dear that’s not good that Lucas was a “bogan” name- dont actually know what that even means but it sounds bad 🤣 I’ll have a google

Peter is a nice gentle name thanks

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Original poster
MissHenty · 04/09/2019 14:56

Aaron and Liam are nice. Both thought of them. Thanks x

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Original poster
MissHenty · 04/09/2019 14:57
  • hadn’t not Both !! Sorry
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averythinline · 04/09/2019 15:03

Love Rowan - also some nice 2 sylablle names,....
Matthew
Edward (could be a Ned)
Justin
Conor

Original poster
MissHenty · 04/09/2019 15:04

RoMan and RoWan were the two fastest rising boys names in the top 100 this year I think (except Arlo and Hunter I think). Plus as RoMan is quite a bit higher up the charts than RoWan (or Ronan), people often hear the name RoWan or RoNan and assume it’s just another RoMan. It’s a minefield 🤣

I really like Arlo too. It’s gentle sounding and doesn’t sound identical to any other popular name I can think of

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IckleBear · 04/09/2019 19:15

Zachary
Sonny
Fabian
Daniel

Baboutheocelot · 04/09/2019 19:21

How about Owen?

Original poster
MissHenty · 04/09/2019 20:20

Sonny!
lovely - thank you for the suggestions!

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MrsIronfoundersson · 04/09/2019 20:26

Ditto Owen.
Arlo getting very popular.