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Rowan for a boy?
31
SisterCellophane · 01/08/2020 13:46
I've become suddenly enthusiastic about this name (not sure why, think it might genuinely be because it's such a nice tree...) but my partner thinks it is too girly. I know it's unisex, but in practice do you associate it with a girl or a boy? I always thought it leaned masculine tbh
MikeUniformMike · 01/08/2020 13:49
I'd associate it with Rowan Williams and Rowan Atkinson, and Rowan Pelling.
There are a lot of R boy names around right now, Roman, Reuben, Rory, ... and it sort of merges into them.
FluffyEggsontoast · 01/08/2020 13:52
I associate with a girl as the "Anne" part sounds feminine to me and I'm biased as I know baby girls with this name.... but I know in reality it is a unisex name. It's getting used more and more for girls in America now but mainly boys still in UK.
It's a nice name but too similar to popular name Roman for me now.
DeliaOwens · 01/08/2020 13:57
I think of surname or boys first name
PlantPotting · 01/08/2020 14:03
Rowan is my baby girl's name! It is unisex though. Currently used more for boys than girls in England but in Scotland it's a top 100 name for girls (and rising fast) but doesn't feature in the top 100 boys list.
Clearly I like the name but one thing to mention is that had I realised that RoMan (with an M) was last year's top fastest rising boy name, I wouldn't have chosen it. I think RoMan is the next Noah/Theo. There's 2 Roman's at my small local nursery so my daughter is known as "Rowan with a W" and well meaning relatives shorten her name to Row by accident (I've asked them not to but it just happens as a reflex sometimes). I don't like Row.
There's also increasing numbers of RoHan, Roan, (Ronnie and Rory's) about so it's got a trendy feel to it which wasn't what I was expecting sadly.
None of this might be a concern for you though, what bothers me might well not bother you!
Congratulations on your little boy xx
BernardsarenotalwaysSaints · 01/08/2020 14:04
I know male & female Rowan's & I think it suits both. It's a lovely name.
Feralkidsatthecampsite · 01/08/2020 14:08
My ds 18 is Roan.
SmiledWithTheRisingSun · 01/08/2020 14:10
I like Rohan for a boy too 
Topseyt · 01/08/2020 14:23
I have heard it used for both. It is fairly unisex. The last Rowan I knew was a girl though.
daisypond · 01/08/2020 14:36
Apart from the famous Rowans,like Atkinson etc, I only know female Rowans.
Oneandabean · 01/08/2020 14:45
Only ever heard it for a boy, personally I don’t think it’s a girls name at all
TempsPerdu · 01/08/2020 15:10
It’s one of DD’s middle names - love it for a girl (rowans are my favourite tree) but I think it’s one of the few names that is genuinely unisex.
However I agree with the PP who said it’s getting popular, along with Roman/Rohan - we’re now glad we didn’t choose it as a first name for this reason.
SisterCellophane · 01/08/2020 15:14
Ha I like the coat of arms!
Interesting though about Scotland vs England, the only female Rowan I could think off was (Scottisj) Rowan Morrrison from the Wicker Man.
Oddly I don't like Roman with an M. Never heard Rohan used for a white boy, I thought it was an Indian name. Or the country from Lord of the Rings.
I've just become that weird Mum who now wants to name her child after her favourite tree...
5363738383j · 01/08/2020 15:59
I really like it.
Flymetothestars · 01/08/2020 16:40
We did consider it as I like the tree too. We are in England but American friends of ours warned us it was becoming increasingly popular for girls in America and statistic charts and Nameberry US forum confirmed this. Still like it but am glad I didn't use it now due to similarity to Roman and also Rowan is getting extremely popular in its own right. So I think the whole tranche of names Rowan/Roman/Rohan/Roan will date. I know of a LOT of baby Romans but none above the age of 3.
I like the PP idea about using the name for the middle name of a future daughter or son of ours though!
whichteaareyou · 01/08/2020 16:44
I know one boy Rowan but it's spelt Rohan
123Dancewithme · 01/08/2020 21:01
I prefer it for a girl.
emilybrontescorsett · 01/08/2020 21:03
I associate it more as a boys name.
Tillygetsit · 01/08/2020 23:57
I love it much more for a boy. It's a solid and masculine name to me. Gorgeous.
ExCwmbranDweller · 02/08/2020 00:01
I know an absolutely gorgeous boy called Rhowan (which is the Welsh version) and have a lovely female friend my age called exactly the same. Until now I hadn't associated the two people of different sexes having the same name so it's a good name in my experience.
resm · 02/08/2020 00:04
Sounds more of a boy’s name to me, similar to Ronan. I really like it as it’s soft-sounding, but solid.
DappledThings · 02/08/2020 07:38
It's a boy's name to me
RandomTree · 02/08/2020 07:40
I love this name. I do think of it as more of a girl's name though (from reading the Antonia Forest books as a child).
BatleyTownswomensGuild · 04/08/2020 07:11
The only Rowan I ever knew was male...
Smile19 · 05/08/2020 20:39
It was on our list for a boy. Ended up with a similar style name. I still LOVE it for either a boy or a girl. I would note was a PP said about the Roman trend if that would annoy you. Congrats and good luck.
Crazypie · 10/08/2020 13:46
I love this name and love the tree! Gorgeous this time of year with all the red berries. it sounds more of a boys name to me as I've only ever known male rowans.
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