Rowena Girl

Popularity: #916 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: roh-WEE-nah /ˈroʊ.wɪ.nə/

Origin: Old English; Latin

Meaning: Old English: fame and happiness; Latin: a form of the name Roderick

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Rowena is believed to have originated from the Old English elements "hroth," meaning "fame," and "wynn," meaning "joy" or "bliss." This etymological combination suggests a literal meaning of "famous joy" or "joyful fame." The name appears in various forms throughout history, with its roots traceable back to the early medieval period in England. It is often associated with the Anglo-Saxon culture, where names were typically constructed from meaningful components reflecting desirable traits or attributes.

One of the earliest notable mentions of Rowena can be found in the 12th-century historical work "Historia Regum Britanniae" by Geoffrey of Monmouth, where she is depicted as a character associated with the legendary King Vortigern. This association with British legend helped to solidify the name's place in the cultural narrative of early medieval Britain.

Additionally, Rowena gained further prominence through Sir Walter Scott's 19th-century novel "Ivanhoe," where she is portrayed as a noble and virtuous character, thereby reinforcing the name's association with nobility and virtue. Culturally, Rowena has been embraced in various literary and artistic contexts, often symbolizing beauty, grace, and strength.

The name has also been linked to themes of loyalty and honor, particularly in the context of romantic narratives. Its enduring presence in literature and folklore has contributed to its resonance in the English-speaking world.

While diminutive forms such as Ro or Wena may exist, they are less commonly referenced in historical texts. Overall, Rowena's etymological roots, historical significance, and cultural associations have contributed to its lasting legacy.

Famous people named Rowena

In this section, you will find notable people named Rowena. 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 Rowena who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Rowena 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.

Rowena Chiu is a writer and producer best known for The Last Emperor, The Joy Luck Club, and The Mummy.

Rowena Morrill is an artist and illustrator best known for her science fiction and fantasy book covers.

Fictional characters named Rowena

The following list of fictional characters named Rowena 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.

Rowena is a fictional character from the TV series Supernatural. She is a powerful witch and a recurring antagonist who often manipulates events for her own gain.

Rowena is a fictional character from the video game series Fire Emblem. She is a skilled mage and a member of the royal family, playing a crucial role in the story's conflict.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Rowena, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

RhiannonRosalindRebeccaRuthReneeRhea

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Rowena. 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.

RoxanneRowanRavenRomyRheaRosaRainaRenee

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Rowena was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Rowena has ranked as high as #803 nationally, which occurred in 1917, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Ohio, New York, and Illinois.

In the past 5 years the name Rowena has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Rowena 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 Rowena 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 Rowena.

Year Total Births Girl
2025 32 32
2024 48 48
2023 37 37
2022 39 39
2021 33 33
2020 51 51
2019 28 28
2018 29 29
2017 22 22
2016 19 19
2015 12 12
2014 14 14
2013 11 11
2012 11 11
2011 15 15
2010 7 7
2009 14 14
2008 12 12
2007 10 10
2006 15 15
2005 18 18
2004 14 14
2003 6 6
2002 12 12
2001 11 11
2000 15 15
1999 13 13
1998 17 17
1997 16 16
1996 19 19
1995 11 11
1994 10 10
1993 16 16
1992 18 18
1991 22 22
1990 21 21
1989 24 24
1988 27 27
1987 24 24
1986 35 35
1985 38 38
1984 41 41
1983 47 47
1982 52 52
1981 44 44
1980 59 59
1979 56 56
1978 47 47
1977 56 56
1976 54 54
1975 61 61
1974 45 45
1973 58 58
1972 58 58
1971 76 76
1970 55 55
1969 49 49
1968 64 64
1967 80 80
1966 75 75
1965 91 91
1964 99 99
1963 122 122
1962 143 143
1961 126 126
1960 111 111
1959 128 128
1958 107 107
1957 136 136
1956 122 122
1955 135 135
1954 161 161
1953 153 153
1952 114 114
1951 114 114
1950 98 98
1949 89 89
1948 85 85
1947 113 113
1946 107 107
1945 89 89
1944 99 99
1943 124 124
1942 109 109
1941 120 120
1940 121 121
1939 140 140
1938 157 157
1937 136 136
1936 122 122
1935 122 122
1934 168 168
1933 139 139
1932 179 179
1931 159 159
1930 159 159
1929 177 177
1928 157 157
1927 171 171
1926 162 162
1925 170 170
1924 165 165
1923 188 188
1922 181 181
1921 209 209
1920 194 194
1919 200 200
1918 175 175
1917 224 224
1916 165 165
1915 182 182
1914 136 136
1913 119 119
1912 96 96
1911 60 60
1910 55 55
1909 52 52
1908 54 54
1907 41 41
1906 46 46
1905 27 27
1904 43 43
1903 27 27
1902 37 37
1901 37 37
1900 42 42
1899 38 38
1898 32 32
1897 34 34
1896 43 43
1895 41 41
1894 33 33
1893 41 41
1892 32 32
1891 32 32
1890 28 28
1889 17 17
1888 19 19
1887 27 27
1886 18 18
1885 20 20
1884 19 19
1883 13 13
1882 13 13
1881 6 6
1880 8 8

Top States for Rowena (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
CA 5
100%