Rowan

Rowan ~ Red ~ Gaelic origin

I love this name, which brings to mind a child with red hair, or the Ireland coast on a stormy day. Rowan is a name native to Scotland and Ireland, where the surname can be found among clans from medieval times. Today's Rowan is a more english-friendly phonetic spelling of a Gaelic name.

There are a few different meanings for this name out there, so you might find it means "red," "rowan tree," or "red one" depending on your source. Let me clear up any confusion. In basic terms, Rowan simply means red. The Norse tree called rowan is named so because of its red leaves. However, each of these definitions are accurate, so you could really pick your favorite one among them.

Rowan is a unisex name, but for one reason or another I prefer it for a boy. Brooke Shields is among those who would disagree, because she named her first daughter Rowan.

• Alternate spelling: Roan
• Rowan is ranked at 366 for boys and 450 for girls as of 2007.