Bowen Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: BOH-en //ˈboʊ.ən//
Origin: Welsh; English
Meaning: Welsh: son of Owen; English: dweller by the river
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Bowen has its roots in the Welsh language, deriving from the surname "Bowan," which itself comes from the Old Welsh personal name "Buwain." The etymology can be traced back to the Proto-Celtic *boudā, meaning "to be" or "to exist." This linguistic lineage illustrates a connection to notions of existence and vitality, which were significant in early Celtic cultures. The name was introduced into English through the influence of Welsh culture and language, particularly during the medieval period when the Anglo-Norman influence began to permeate British society.
Historically, the name Bowen has been associated with various notable figures, including Welsh nobility and landowners during the Middle Ages. The name appears in historical records from the 12th century, often linked to families of significance in Wales.
One prominent figure is Sir John Bowen, a 14th-century knight known for his involvement in the conflicts of the period. Additionally, the name has been recorded in various forms in literature and legal documents, reflecting its use among the gentry and common folk alike.
Culturally, the name Bowen carries connotations of strength and resilience, qualities that were highly valued in Welsh society. It has been embraced in various forms of literature and folklore, often symbolizing loyalty and bravery.
The name's endurance can also be attributed to its association with the Welsh heritage, which has maintained a strong cultural identity throughout history. While diminutive forms such as "Bowie" may arise in informal contexts, the name Bowen itself remains a testament to its rich historical and cultural significance.
Famous people named Bowen
In this section, you will find notable people named Bowen. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Bowen who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Bowen who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Bowen Yang is a comedian and actor best known for Saturday Night Live, Fire Island, and Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens.
Bowen McCauley is a dancer and choreographer best known for founding Bowen McCauley Dance and her work in contemporary dance.
Fictional characters named Bowen
The following list of fictional characters named Bowen is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Bowen is a fictional character from the animated film The Dragon Prince. He is a skilled dragon rider who plays a crucial role in the battle against dark forces.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Bowen, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Bowen. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Bowen was first seen in the United States in 1913.
Bowen has ranked as high as #503 nationally, which occurred in 2025, and has been most popular in Texas, California, Georgia, Ohio, and Utah.
In the past 5 years the name Bowen has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Bowen is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Bowen was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Bowen.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,328 | 1,292 | 36 |
| 2024 | 1,109 | 1,077 | 32 |
| 2023 | 966 | 941 | 25 |
| 2022 | 844 | 820 | 24 |
| 2021 | 919 | 889 | 30 |
| 2020 | 798 | 778 | 20 |
| 2019 | 728 | 709 | 19 |
| 2018 | 730 | 709 | 21 |
| 2017 | 682 | 660 | 22 |
| 2016 | 654 | 638 | 16 |
| 2015 | 572 | 557 | 15 |
| 2014 | 505 | 492 | 13 |
| 2013 | 438 | 430 | 8 |
| 2012 | 403 | 391 | 12 |
| 2011 | 324 | 315 | 9 |
| 2010 | 173 | 165 | 8 |
| 2009 | 133 | 128 | 5 |
| 2008 | 129 | 129 | 0 |
| 2007 | 174 | 174 | 0 |
| 2006 | 143 | 138 | 5 |
| 2005 | 144 | 144 | 0 |
| 2004 | 126 | 120 | 6 |
| 2003 | 129 | 129 | 0 |
| 2002 | 100 | 100 | 0 |
| 2001 | 105 | 105 | 0 |
| 2000 | 116 | 116 | 0 |
| 1999 | 102 | 102 | 0 |
| 1998 | 101 | 101 | 0 |
| 1997 | 92 | 92 | 0 |
| 1996 | 58 | 58 | 0 |
| 1995 | 43 | 43 | 0 |
| 1994 | 39 | 39 | 0 |
| 1993 | 26 | 26 | 0 |
| 1992 | 26 | 26 | 0 |
| 1991 | 31 | 31 | 0 |
| 1990 | 27 | 27 | 0 |
| 1989 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 1988 | 13 | 13 | 0 |
| 1987 | 21 | 21 | 0 |
| 1986 | 17 | 17 | 0 |
| 1985 | 22 | 22 | 0 |
| 1984 | 18 | 18 | 0 |
| 1983 | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| 1982 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 1981 | 24 | 24 | 0 |
| 1980 | 19 | 19 | 0 |
| 1979 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 1978 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1977 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 1976 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1975 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 1974 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 1973 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1972 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1971 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1970 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 1969 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 1968 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1967 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1966 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1965 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1964 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1963 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1962 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1961 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1960 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1959 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 1958 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1957 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1954 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1953 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1952 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1951 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 1949 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1947 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 1946 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 1944 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1940 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1939 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1938 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1937 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1926 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1923 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1922 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1920 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1919 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1918 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 1917 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1916 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1913 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
Top States for Bowen (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 123 | |
| CA | 57 | |
| PA | 48 | |
| NC | 47 | |
| GA | 45 | |
| IA | 43 | |
| OH | 42 | |
| MO | 40 | |
| FL | 36 | |
| SC | 34 | |
| NY | 29 | |
| MI | 29 | |
| IL | 27 | |
| UT | 26 | |
| IN | 26 | |
| KY | 25 | |
| LA | 24 | |
| OK | 23 | |
| TN | 22 | |
| CO | 22 | |
| MN | 22 | |
| KS | 22 | |
| VA | 21 | |
| AZ | 21 | |
| WI | 19 | |
| NE | 18 | |
| OR | 16 | |
| WA | 16 | |
| MA | 15 | |
| ID | 14 | |
| AR | 13 | |
| MS | 13 | |
| MD | 12 | |
| WV | 12 | |
| AL | 11 | |
| SD | 11 | |
| NJ | 10 | |
| CT | 6 | |
| ND | 6 | |
| NH | 5 | |
| WY | 5 |