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Original poster

Is Rowan really that popular?

63 replies

Newnamenewname109870 · 29/06/2023 21:57

I’ve seen on mumsnet before that it’s a really popular name. I only know of one that’s a girl atm (and I’m thinking for a boy). Do you know many?

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Giltedged · 30/06/2023 08:09

I’m not keen for a boy to be honest but I just think it sounds very feminine (or makes me think of Mr Bean …!)

It is okay for girls, not my favourite - main problem is everyone will think you are called Joanne.

fantasmasgoria1 · 30/06/2023 08:12

DD went to school with a couple of Rowans, both female.

CastleTower · 30/06/2023 08:16

It's worth checking popularity stats for your area, too. Fwiw, we know lots of children age 4 and under, and there aren't any others with Ro- names (other than Rory). But I know Roman is popular in some areas, we just haven't come across any.

It doesn't sound much like Joanne at all though...!

Mrsjayy · 30/06/2023 08:18

Newnamenewname109870 · 29/06/2023 21:57

I’ve seen on mumsnet before that it’s a really popular name. I only know of one that’s a girl atm (and I’m thinking for a boy). Do you know many?

Rowan has been about for decades I wanted to call one of mine Rowan dh vetoed it, anyway its a lovely name does it matter if its popular?

biscuitcat · 30/06/2023 08:20

I have a male toddler Rowan and know a middle aged female Rowan. A few people commented that my son's name is unusual, and I've not met another little one with the name. I'm biased of course, but it's a gorgeous name!

Mrsjayy · 30/06/2023 08:28

It would have been a girl Rowan for me,

Mrsjayy · 30/06/2023 08:35

Sorry I meant to add I've heard of boys too.

FraterculaArctica · 30/06/2023 08:43

My DS is Rowan (would have been had he been a girl too).

Have to say I can't imagine anyone would confuse it with Joanne, which belongs to a demographic now in their 40s/50s?!!

Giltedged · 30/06/2023 08:51

FraterculaArctica · 30/06/2023 08:43

My DS is Rowan (would have been had he been a girl too).

Have to say I can't imagine anyone would confuse it with Joanne, which belongs to a demographic now in their 40s/50s?!!

It’s when you introduce yourself, particularly over the phone!

KirstenBlest · 30/06/2023 08:56

It's not overpopular but for boys is disappears into all the Roman, Rory, Reuben, ... type names that are currently popular.

Qilin · 30/06/2023 08:59

I know one woman, probably late 30s /early 40s called Rowan and have taught one child, girl aged about 10 or so now I think) also called Rowan.

So, it isn't overly popular here.

Qilin · 30/06/2023 09:02

KirstenBlest · 30/06/2023 08:56

It's not overpopular but for boys is disappears into all the Roman, Rory, Reuben, ... type names that are currently popular.

Of those, I teach a couple of Reuben's but not taught a Roman or Rory. So again, not overly popular names here either. I have also taught a child named Rohan.

I think a lot of these kind of names are very much regional trends.

FraterculaArctica · 30/06/2023 09:11

But the stress in "Joanne" is on the last syllable?

FuckoffeeBeforeCoffee · 30/06/2023 09:12

I know one.

Giltedged · 30/06/2023 09:14

FraterculaArctica · 30/06/2023 09:11

But the stress in "Joanne" is on the last syllable?

I agree, I think they are very different names but it does happen. I have a friend who is a Callie (Caroline) and people always think she’s saying Kelly on the phone, as well.

lemonyellows · 30/06/2023 09:18

I know an adult female Rowan and a 22 year old boy.

KirstenBlest · 30/06/2023 09:41

@Qilin , it could well be. The ONS page shows popularity by region, but the data is that of the year before last, I think.
A name is more likely to be on your radar if you know of one, so it could be that only a handful of babies are given the name, but they'll be in the same area.

Original poster
Newnamenewname109870 · 30/06/2023 09:56

Giltedged · 30/06/2023 08:51

It’s when you introduce yourself, particularly over the phone!

Show quote history

It sounds quite differe to me

row-an
jo-anne is a longer sound

OP posts:
Original poster
Newnamenewname109870 · 30/06/2023 09:57

Which areas is it popular in?

For the person asking, I don’t want a really popular name as it starts to lose meaning for me. I’m not saying it has to be completely unique, just ideally not loads in a class.

OP posts:
StillWantingADog · 30/06/2023 09:59

I know two boy Rowans. One is 8 and the other is in his 30s.
it was on my list but when DS arrived we thought he didn’t suit it. Nice name, not sure I’d use it for a girl but I think it has an androgynous feel.

StillWantingADog · 30/06/2023 10:02

Giltedged · 30/06/2023 09:14

I agree, I think they are very different names but it does happen. I have a friend who is a Callie (Caroline) and people always think she’s saying Kelly on the phone, as well.

Show quote history

Callie and Kelly are actually quite similar especially if you have an American accent. Similarly I never know if Dr Weaver in ER was Kerry or Karrie.

Rowan and Joanne are so different. Stress is totally different as is the 2nd vowel sound
ROW-un
Jo-AN

BreezySunnyDay · 30/06/2023 10:03

I think it's a lovely name for girl or boy, actually don't know any at all!

PickledScrump · 30/06/2023 10:13

@Newnamenewname109870 its going to be one of those if you love it you take the chance. Olivia has been number 1 girls name for years but i only know one in her 30s. My daughter is now in secondary school and has never come across any. But there are multiple of lots of other names. She was one of 4 with the same name during primary school even though I’d never met any children with her name before. My second has a name that I’d never heard before I chose it for her and is only 361st most popular name, but she’s only 2.5 and already come across 3 children with the same name.

Choose a name that you love, you won’t get a good idea of how popular it is in your area until you start going to baby/toddler groups, nursery or school.

KirstenBlest · 30/06/2023 10:21

@Newnamenewname109870 , Baby names in England and Wales - Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk), scroll down to 4. Baby names by mother’s usual area of residence. You can zoom in and out.
The darker the area, the more popular the name. It's not popular in my area, but more popular than Noah in some areas.

Is Rowan really that popular?
missv556 · 30/06/2023 10:21

My friends toddler is called Rowan, he's 2