Rowena
Rowena is a girl's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Fame and joy, or white spear.
Origin and history
Rowena is an English name of uncertain etymological origins, traditionally linked to Old Germanic elements meaning 'fame' and 'joy'. It was popularized in 19th-century literature by Sir Walter Scott's novel Ivanhoe. Today, it remains a rare but distinctive choice for baby girls in the United States.
Popularity in the United States
10,526 babies in the United States have been named Rowena since 1880. It ranks #1583 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1861.
States where it is most popular
- CA (14 %)
- TX (8.8 %)
- OH (7.8 %)
- NY (7.4 %)
- IL (5.9 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 160 |
| 1890-1900 | 354 |
| 1900-1910 | 406 |
| 1910-1920 | 1,412 |
| 1920-1930 | 1,774 |
| 1930-1940 | 1,481 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,056 |
| 1950-1960 | 1,268 |
| 1960-1970 | 960 |
| 1970-1980 | 566 |
| 1980-1990 | 391 |
| 1990-2000 | 163 |
| 2000-2010 | 127 |
| 2010-2019 | 168 |
| 2020-2029 | 240 |
Famous people named Rowena
- Rowena Morrill: Artist, Illustrator
Nicknames
Ro, Rowie
Fun facts
- Sir Walter Scott helped popularize the name by creating Lady Rowena, a primary character in his famous 1819 novel Ivanhoe.
- The name gained renewed recognition in modern pop culture through Rowena Ravenclaw, one of the founders of Hogwarts in the Harry Potter series.