Has Rowan gone to the girls?

yellowbean15 · September 2015

My husband and I both really like this name. To me it is SO masculine so I was surprised to see its used for girls once I started looking into it.

So, when you hear this name do you think boy or girl? How many boy or girl Rowan's do you know? Do you think using it for girls is a passing trend or here to stay (and surpass boy usage?)

I'm really torn because its finally a name we both love but I don't really want my son to have girls in his class with the same name as him.

Thanks!

Scornelius · September 2015

I don't see it as feminine. I think Rowena is. I say go ahead!

libby+nate · September 2015

I think boy and I like the name! It's a masculine name.

MrsBigfoot · September 2015

There are two boy Rowans at the high school where I teach, so even though I know there are plenty of people trying to steal it for girls, it is still firmly in my mind as a boy name.

wassuphoes · September 2015

While it's use for girls has gone up, It is still used more as a masculine name by the numbers.

Last year 770 misguided parents named their daughters Rowan, but 1,531 not-stupid parents named their sons Rowan.

The numbers are still on your side. Use it!

4N6s · September 2015

I don't think so.

Latina211508 · September 2015

I have never met a Rowan or even heard of a Rowan personally. But it sounds like a boy name to me.

ecwk · September 2015

I think of a girl despite the actor Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean).

ashleyandely · September 2015

libby+nate said:
I think boy and I like the name! It's a masculine name.

This. Use it!

satuttle1014 · September 2015

I immediately think boy.

nbpa3027 · September 2015

I know two girls named Rowan and one boy. I have never much liked the name, but when I hear it I don't necessarily think that a boy got a girls name or vice versa.

This might be another one of those regional things where in one area it is mostly girls and in the other it is mostly boys.

mvhyde · September 2015

Definitely masculine.

Zimger · September 2015

It still rings boy to my ear. I know one girl named Rowan but that trend is pervasive in our area.

I really like Rowan and the similar sounding Ronan.

mrstrax · September 2015

IRL the only Rowan I know is a boy (4ish) but I did have a favorite middle school book called Rowan Hood about the "outlaw girl of Sherwood Forrest" so it could go either way. Masculine sounding but very "gender neutral" at the moment.

If you don't want there to be a chance of a girl in his class with the same name, I'd pick something different, but I think it's a masculine enough name that he shouldn't be embarrassed - like Ryans and James'.

cmerribury · September 2015

I think it's more masculine than feminine, though I do know girl Rowans. It seems to be favored for girls when the parents want a boy name (like Ryan, Charlie, etc). I'm a Courtney and there were a few boy Courtneys in my classes growing up...they didn't seem to mind.

holocene · September 2015

I think boy. I knew a Roan in high school.

solitude1984 · September 2015

I think boy. I don't know anyone who has named their daughter Rowan, though I do know one Rowena. I think you are pretty safe.

Miss Lilac · September 2015

I agree with you about it being ultra masculine, but I know too many girls with the name to not be confused about it as well. H and I thought about it but were leaning more towards Ronan.

groovylocks · September 2015

That was in our top 5. For a boy. It's usually a boy's name.

TTiger03 · September 2015

Female popularity may go up with Rowan Blanchard (Disney -Girl Meets World) but I still think it is more masculine.

kayway85 · September 2015

Rowena is what I consider the feminine form of this name. Rowan I think of as masculine.

bbiutmcph · September 2015

A few people using it on girls doesn't make it less masculine. It's not super popular in general but it's still more popular for boys. Love it and would always assume male upon seeing or hearing it. Just like I would wit Elliott, Ryan, Carter, etc.

elle313 · September 2015

I know two women named Rowan (one might spell it Rowen, not sure) and one boy named rowan. Probably because of that, it doesn't scream masculine or feminine to me.

SamAdams2006 · September 2015

In your son's up and coming generation it will predominantly be used on girls. Much like Casey in the 80's. So if it doesn't bother you then go for it, but chances are that he will come across a few women with the same name as him in his lifetime.

lindsayTTC · September 2015

I know a 2 year old girl named Rowan.

SarahFoley725 · September 2015

The only Rowan I've ever heard was on a TV show and was a girl! With that being said, we were considering it for a girls name.

KMorley3 · September 2015

I knew a Rowan in Jr. High and Highschool.. It was a girl. Very strange person all around, so whenever I hear that name I think of her.

Snoflakes4eva · September 2015

Rowan reminds me of Rowan County, Kentucky and that lunatic County Clerk.

Never knew anyone actually named Rowan.

fwtx5815 · September 2015

I've never met a Rowan in person, but I still think boy when I hear it.

penelope4612 · September 2015

I think of a boy.

AEG84 · September 2015

It can be used for either, but I think the split is about 70 male/ 30 female according to the names app I have. It's on our list for boy names. I actually like it for a girl as well, but DH is not a fan.

yellowbean15 · September 2015

Thanks for your input and experiences everyone! One week until due date and I think we are going to keep Rowan as the top contender for a boy. We're thinking there will be lots of boys and girls sharing the same name in this upcoming generation. It probably won't be a big deal. As long as it hasn't completely crossed over, I think I am good with it!

valeriemarie24 · September 2015

I've only ever heard Rowan as a last name, never met anyone with it as a first name.
But My first thought would be boy

whiteteaandginger · September 2015

It's totally unisex to me. I like the name a lot!

bbluemoo · September 2015

I've only met one Rowan, and it was a girl. But there was a good reason behind it - she's my botany teachers daughter and my prof loves Rowans/Mountain-Ashes (a type of tree). She told us that she considers them to be one of her favourite plants. Plus, Rowans are fantastic for bird-watching around here.

Overall, I still consider it a boys name. But I don't mind it on girls. It's a really neat name with tons of mythology and whatnot behind it.

KStar21 · September 2015

SamAdams2006 said:

In your son's up and coming generation it will predominantly be used on girls. Much like Casey in the 80's. So if it doesn't bother you then go for it, but chances are that he will come across a few women with the same name as him in his lifetime.

Used on girls to some extent, yes. Majority girl, odds are no since it's going up faster for boys.

bbiutmcph · September 2015

KStar21 said:

SamAdams2006 said:

In your son's up and coming generation it will predominantly be used on girls. Much like Casey in the 80's. So if it doesn't bother you then go for it, but chances are that he will come across a few women with the same name as him in his lifetime.

Used on girls to some extent, yes. Majority girl, odds are no since it's going up faster for boys.

I agree it's not currently trending to any extend that it will go girl. Rowan is not the next Ashley or Lyndsey. Those belong to sadly Avery and Riley.