Rowland Boy

Popularity: #922 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: ROW-lənd //ˈroʊ.lənd//

Origin: Old English; Germanic

Meaning: Old English: 'famous land'; Germanic: 'renowned land'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Rowland has its roots in the Old High German name Hruodland, which is composed of the elements 'hruod,' meaning 'fame' or 'glory,' and 'land,' meaning 'land' or 'territory.' This name was introduced into the English language through the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century, where it was adapted from the Old French form Roland. The name Roland became particularly prominent due to its association with the legendary figure of Roland, a hero of the epic poem "The Song of Roland," which dates back to the 11th century and recounts the valor of Charlemagne's knight during the Battle of Roncevaux Pass in 778.

This literary work significantly contributed to the name's popularity in medieval Europe. In the context of English history, Rowland appears in various forms in medieval records, often linked to nobility and chivalric traditions.

Notably, the name is associated with several historical figures, including Rowland Hill, a 16th-century English reformer and the founder of the postal system in England. The name also appears in various literary works and documents throughout the Middle Ages, reflecting its enduring presence in English culture.

The name Rowland was further popularized by its use in the context of Christian saints, particularly Saint Roland, a figure celebrated in various hagiographies. Culturally, Rowland has been associated with themes of bravery and honor, reflecting the heroic qualities attributed to its namesake, Roland.

The name has also inspired various diminutive forms, such as Roland and Rolly, which have been used in different contexts throughout history. The enduring legacy of the name Rowland can be seen in its continued use in literature and its representation of noble ideals, making it a name of historical significance in both English and broader European contexts.

Famous people named Rowland

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

We also feature individuals named Rowland 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.

Rowland S. Howard is a musician best known for his work with The Birthday Party, Crime & The City Solution, and his solo albums.

Rowland Hill is a preacher and educator best known for founding the modern Sunday school movement and his work in education reform.

Sibling suggestions

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

RonaldRonanRoryRubenRileyRafael

Similar names

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

RolandRoderickRonanRufusRalphReubenRoccoRyder

U.S. Historical Usage

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

Rowland has ranked as high as #1344 nationally, which occurred in 1917, and has been most popular in New York, Pennsylvania, California, Michigan, and Ohio.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Rowland 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 Rowland 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 Rowland.

Year Total Births Boy
2025 16 16
2024 15 15
2023 22 22
2022 30 30
2021 24 24
2020 18 18
2019 22 22
2018 20 20
2017 22 22
2016 19 19
2015 19 19
2014 23 23
2013 12 12
2012 16 16
2010 8 8
2009 15 15
2008 15 15
2007 12 12
2006 16 16
2005 5 5
2004 10 10
2003 13 13
2002 9 9
2001 9 9
2000 7 7
1999 11 11
1998 12 12
1997 8 8
1996 13 13
1995 8 8
1994 10 10
1993 16 16
1992 12 12
1991 24 24
1990 19 19
1989 18 18
1988 10 10
1987 12 12
1986 15 15
1985 16 16
1984 16 16
1983 18 18
1982 14 14
1981 20 20
1980 14 14
1979 14 14
1978 17 17
1977 15 15
1976 24 24
1975 22 22
1974 21 21
1973 15 15
1972 16 16
1971 24 24
1970 15 15
1969 28 28
1968 24 24
1967 34 34
1966 28 28
1965 41 41
1964 36 36
1963 45 45
1962 50 50
1961 54 54
1960 39 39
1959 55 55
1958 52 52
1957 48 48
1956 57 57
1955 58 58
1954 57 57
1953 51 51
1952 47 47
1951 48 48
1950 49 49
1949 47 47
1948 46 46
1947 54 54
1946 54 54
1945 52 52
1944 44 44
1943 52 52
1942 55 55
1941 39 39
1940 43 43
1939 50 50
1938 60 60
1937 39 39
1936 43 43
1935 54 54
1934 61 61
1933 52 52
1932 62 62
1931 58 58
1930 65 65
1929 70 70
1928 64 64
1927 67 67
1926 68 68
1925 64 64
1924 83 83
1923 72 72
1922 77 77
1921 77 77
1920 79 79
1919 55 55
1918 74 74
1917 90 90
1916 83 83
1915 69 69
1914 50 50
1913 39 39
1912 27 27
1911 16 16
1910 18 18
1909 16 16
1907 11 11
1906 12 12
1905 5 5
1904 9 9
1903 19 19
1902 12 12
1901 6 6
1900 16 16
1899 11 11
1898 9 9
1897 6 6
1896 14 14
1894 10 10
1893 5 5
1892 5 5
1891 10 10
1890 7 7
1889 10 10
1888 7 7
1887 6 6
1886 6 6
1885 11 11
1884 5 5
1882 7 7
1880 5 5

Top States for Rowland (1990)

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%