Rowan

unisexIrish; also English tree name

Rowan is an unisex name of Irish; also English tree name origin, meaning “Little red one; rowan tree”.

MeaningLittle red one; rowan tree
GenderUnisex
OriginIrish; also English tree name
PronunciationROH-un
TraditionModern & Classic
Used inUnited Kingdom, Ireland, United States, Australia

Meaning and origin of Rowan

Rowan has two sources. As an Irish name it comes from Ruadhán, from ruadh (red), meaning 'little red one', which was the name of a sixth-century saint. It is also the English name of the mountain ash tree, with bright red berries, whose name comes from Old Norse. Long used for boys, Rowan is now popular for girls as well.

Is Rowan a religious name?

Rowan is a secular nature name today, though the Irish Ruadhán was borne by an early Christian saint.

How popular is Rowan?

A popular unisex name in Britain, Ireland and North America.

Gifts with the name Rowan

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Spellings and variants of Rowan

RohanRowenRuadhán

Names similar to Rowan

More unisex names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Rowan mean?

Rowan means 'Little red one; rowan tree'. It is of Irish; also English tree name origin.

Does Rowan have a religious meaning?

Rowan is a secular nature name today, though the Irish Ruadhán was borne by an early Christian saint.

How do you pronounce Rowan?

Rowan is pronounced ROH-un.

Is Rowan a boy or girl name?

Rowan is used for both boys and girls.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.