Rowena Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity

At a Glance: Name: Rowena – Meaning: possibly 'fame and joy' or 'white-haired'; uncertain – Origin: Old English / Anglo-Saxon (possibly Welsh Rhonwen) – Gender: primarily used for girls – Pronunciation: roh-WEE-nuh

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Rowena (roh-WEE-nuh) is an Old English, Anglo-Saxon name, possibly connected to the Welsh Rhonwen. Its meaning is uncertain: it may be 'fame and joy' or 'white-haired'. It's a distinctive, rarely heard choice with a soft, flowing sound.

Meaning & Origin of Rowena

Meaning: Possibly 'fame and joy' or 'white-haired'; uncertain.

Origin: Old English / Anglo-Saxon (possibly Welsh Rhonwen).

How to Pronounce Rowena

Phonetic: roh-WEE-nuh   IPA: /roʊˈiːnə/

Popularity of Rowena

Rowena peaked in the U.S. at #429 in 1893, when 41 babies were given the name. In 2024 it ranked #3430, with 46 babies, so it's still in use but uncommon.

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration birth-name data, 1880–2024.

Make Rowena Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Rowena, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.

Names With a Similar Story

Derived from shared style, era, and origin data (or, for names we have no style data for, a similar Social Security popularity trajectory) — not a hand-picked list.

• Mahlon
• Amada
• Heber
• Xenia
• Silver
• Sampson

FAQ

What does the name Rowena mean?

Possibly ‘fame and joy’ or ‘white-haired’; uncertain.

How do you pronounce Rowena?

Rowena is pronounced roh-WEE-nuh (IPA: /roʊˈiːnə/).

Is Rowena a popular name right now?

Rowena peaked at #429 in 1893 and is ranked #3430 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)

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