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Baby names

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

Rowan...anyone in Scotland

41 replies

Snowdrops31 · 23/02/2020 22:52

How would you pronounce Rowan in Scotland?

Row-an (as in ‘row’ your boat)

Or

Row-an (as in ‘row’, an argument )

Also would you think of it as a boys or girls name?

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NeutralJanet · 23/02/2020 22:56

I'd pronounce it Row(your boat)an and its more of a boys name to me.

Pipandmum · 23/02/2020 22:56

Boys name (though I know it can be a girls). In England so don't know pronunciation in Scotland but don't know anyone who doesn't pronounce it the first way (and that includes any Scottish friends).

sleepyhead · 23/02/2020 22:59

Rowan as in argument here. West of Scotland. Both the tree and the name (only know girls personally other than R Atkinson but wouldn't blink at a boy being called it)

bosies · 23/02/2020 23:00

I'm Scottish (north east if relevant).
I'd pronounce the 'row' as in argument

I think it's a lovely name

giggly · 23/02/2020 23:02

Another Scottish one for Row as in argument. Also only known girls

Pinkponiesrock · 23/02/2020 23:03

As in argument and I know an equal number of boys and girls with that name

WeeM · 23/02/2020 23:04

Rowan as in argument- also Scottish. I think it’s a nice name too.

WeeM · 23/02/2020 23:05

I’d say either boy or girl too

Srictlybakeoff · 23/02/2020 23:06

Scottish - and was say as in argument. Lovely name for a girl

yatapina · 23/02/2020 23:07

I'm Scottish and have heard it both ways.

I've only met 5 in my whole life but of those 3 males were 1st spelling and 2 females were 2nd spelling.

We also have a service nearby that is pronounced Rowan in the 2nd spelling.

No idea which is right or if it's a local thing!

Amortentia · 23/02/2020 23:07

I’m west coast and I’d pronounce it row your boat, and think it’s a girls name.

Brenna24 · 23/02/2020 23:10

I would pronounce it the first way for a boy and the second for the girl or the tree. North East Scotland here. P.s. my first is a boy called Rowan (as in boat). Great choice of name.

babbi · 23/02/2020 23:11

As in argument and a girls name .
My neighbour has a daughter called Rowan

babbi · 23/02/2020 23:12

Sorry .. meant to say I’m in Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 .. west coast

seeingdots · 23/02/2020 23:17

NE Scotland here. Row as in argument (same as I'd pronounce the tree name) and normally a girls name. For a boy I'd probably pronounce it the other way but only because the only one I can think of is Atkinson.

Iprefergin · 23/02/2020 23:20

Interesting!
I'm Scottish but only ever heard it as row your boat!

MrsBungle · 23/02/2020 23:24

I’m Scottish (south east) and would pronounce the name (and the tree) as in row your boat. I have heard it both ways though.

AHintOfStyle · 23/02/2020 23:28

Edinburgh area. Would pronounce Row as in an argument. I can think of 3 girls called that ages between 10 - 25ish. Don't know any names called that.

Parkmama · 23/02/2020 23:32

My name is Row-an pronounced "row your boat" however it's spelt Rowenne. I'm female and my family pronounce it Row-an however at school and in the workplace etc people have always pronounced it Row-en which I much prefer as it feels more feminine not to be confused with a boys name. So if I call my mum up I always refer to myself as Row-an but if I introduce myself to anyone new, I always say Row-en. Over the years I've had it all from Roweeeeena, Rowenta, Rowanne, Loraine . . . people really struggle to remember it and can't pronounce it from the spelling Rowenne. People at work have even put post it notes on their desks Row-N to remind themselves to say it properly Confused I really don't enjoy having this name, it causes no end of grief!!!

MacAndDennisMoveToTheSuburbs · 24/02/2020 00:31

I’m in the central belt and would pronounce it like row as in argument.
I’ve known a few girls and only one boy with the name, so it’s more of a girl’s name in my mind, but could be either!

JKScot4 · 24/02/2020 00:33

Row as in a stramash, all girls I know called this.

anon2020202020 · 24/02/2020 00:34

Row as in argument, girls name. Central Scotland.

FartnissEverbeans · 24/02/2020 02:53

I’m Scottish (but not in Scotland). I’d pronounce it like an argument

lemonjam · 24/02/2020 03:06

Am in Scotland. I know an English boy row your boat, but only know Scottish girls/argument. Would pronounce the tree like argument too.

PlantPotting · 24/02/2020 10:39

I’m in England so this might not be helpful but my baby daughter is called Rowan (with a W) but she continually gets called RoMan (with an M).
I hadn’t realised when I chose the name that Roman (with an M) is currently the fastest rising name 😩 theres 2 RoMans at our small local nursery 🤦🏼‍♀️
Two years ago this wouldn’t have been a problem but Roman is booming and jumped 800 places in the name charts to be top 50 and no doubt top 10 soon. X

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