Rowan

Living with the name Rowan

Rowan tends to start a small family debate before the baby arrives. Does the first part sound like row a boat, or like a row, the argument? Most Americans say ROH-an, but in parts of Britain the tree is often said the other way. Pick one and say it firmly at the hospital. Spelling needs watching too, since Rowen and Roan both turn up, and people sometimes hear Ronan or Rohan.

As a first name it comes from Ruadhán, an Irish name meaning little red one, often given for red hair. Saint Ruadhán founded a monastery at Lorrha, in what is now County Tipperary, in the sixth century. The rowan tree, with its bright red berries, has a separate Norse-rooted name. The two share an old root for red, which is why Rowan feels like a nature name as well.

It is one of the few names that sits easily on boys and girls. On a girl it leans toward woods and berries; on a boy it reads Irish and a little old. Ro is a cute short form. Rowan Ellis or Rowan Price sounds balanced, while vowel-starting surnames, like Rowan Ames, can blur. It ages well: a tiny Rowan in rain boots, then a grown Rowan signing a lease.