Rowan

Updated September 2015

Rowan ~ Red ~ Gaelic

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.

A Saintly Name
The Gaelic name is that of St. Ruadhán, also known as Rowan. According to Wikipedia, he was "an Irish Christian abbot who founded the monastery of Lorrha, near Terryglass. He was known for his prophesies."

Meaning
There are a few different meanings for this name out there, so you might find it means "red," "rowan tree," "red-haired," or "red one" depending on your source. Rowan simply means red. The Norse tree called rowan is named for its red leaves. And just like Red can be a nickname for someone with red hair, the original Gaelic, Ruad, was used to describe a redhead. Each of these definitions are accurate, so you could really pick your favorite one among them.

Popularity
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. Either way, it's a lovely choice with a long history and a contemporary sound.

• Alternate spelling: Roan
• Rowan is a bit more popular for boys. It's ranked at 239 for boys and 412 for girls as of 2014.