Rising since 1985, #31 for boys today.
Popularity of Owen since 1880
Babies named Owen per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 758 |
| 1890s | 761 |
| 1900s | 860 |
| 1910s | 3,791 |
| 1920s | 5,873 |
| 1930s | 4,285 |
| 1940s | 3,922 |
| 1950s | 3,945 |
| 1960s | 2,916 |
| 1970s | 3,017 |
| 1980s | 4,050 |
| 1990s | 9,658 |
| 2000s | 61,878 |
| 2010s | 91,098 |
| 2020s | 48,832 |
Meaning & origin
Behind Owen's easygoing modern sound stand two of the fiercer figures of Celtic history, Owain mab Urien of Arthurian legend and Owain Glyndŵr, who led the last great Welsh rising, plus an etymological argument that scholars have never settled: Latin "well-born" borrowed into Welsh, or something older and native. The Irish Eoghan funnels into the same English spelling, giving the name dual citizenship.
Statistically, Owen is the steady member of its cohort. Present in American records continuously since 1880, it began climbing in 1985, peaked in 2016, and stood at No. 31 in 2025, about 1 in every 238 boys. The gentle drift off its peak reads less like decline than like a name settling into long-term residence, the way Owen has always operated.
Its strongest states are Vermont, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, making it one more entry in New England's roster of favored classics. Parents drawn to Owen tend to want exactly this profile, recognizable, unfussy, mildly Celtic, and build sibling sets from the same shelf: Nora, Maeve, Everett, Declan.
Owen is the anglicized spelling of Welsh Owain, a name carried by Owain mab Urien, a knight of Arthurian legend, and by Owain Glyndŵr, the last Welsh-born Prince of Wales. Its derivation is genuinely contested: the traditional account makes it a Welsh borrowing of Latin Eugenius (from Greek eugenēs, "well-born"), while some Celticists argue for a native origin, sometimes connected to a root meaning "youth" or to the god-name Esus. The same spelling also anglicizes the Irish name Eoghan, whose own etymology is likewise debated, so Owen effectively merges two Celtic streams. In American data the name has never been absent, it appears continuously from 1880, but it ran at a low simmer for a century before rising steadily from 1985 to a 2016 peak.
Read more: Owen on Wikipedia
Where Owen is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Owen” around the world
Where Owen lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
#67
in 2024
Ireland
13
babies in 2025
New Zealand
41
babies in 2025
Quebec
#96
in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Famous people named Owen
- Owen Wilson · American actor
- Owen Chamberlain · Nobel Prize-winning physicist
Sibling names for Owen
Names that share Owen's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Nora, Hazel, Violet, Maeve, Clara, Abigail, Amelia, Ava, Chloe, Claire, Ella, Emma, Grace, Lily, Aimee, Alana, Audra, Brenna, Callie, Danna, Darcy, Gwendolyn, Haven, Kara, Lana, Lena, Lila, Lilly, Loren, Mara, Reese, Aila, Ailene, Alaina, Alanah, Alannah, Aleen, Alissa, Alyse, Audree, Avaya, Aviana, Ayleen, Aylin, Bree, Bria, Brigit, Bryn, Cara, Cari, Claira, Darcie, Doria, Elana, Elayna, Elle, Elyssa, Emalyn, Emeri, Emmy, Enid, Evyn, Genna, Gwen, Gwyneth, Halie, Halle, Hallie, Ila, Ilana, Ina, Ivey, Jaide, Keira, Keva, Kora, Kyra, Lainie, Laney, Lanie, Lilyann, Lissa, Livia, Lyanna, Lyla, Lylah, Lynette, Marlen, Marlo, Marnie, Meda, Meredith, Mika, Mina, Mona, Neva, Noma, Norah, Ona, Rayna, Rena, Rhiannon, Rona, Savana, Siara, Tegan, Tess, Vada, Wynne, Zara, Zena, Zoey, Zoie, Adara, Addy, Adena, Aide, Ailyn, Alara, Allena, Alys, Alyza, Ara, Arla, Audrie, Aura, Avalon, Avary, Avia, Aylah, Bea, Brina, Bronwyn, Brynna, Brynne, Calia, Calli, Carys, Cienna, Cleone, Daina, Dava, Dyana, Eda, Edyn, Eila, Eiza, Ela, Elayne, Ellee, Emilyn, Emmarie, Emme, Emori, Emy, Ena, Eriana, Erianna, Euna, Fae, Falon, Geena, Gracy, Guinevere, Gwenda, Gwendolynn, Gwenyth, Gwynne, Haddie, Ilah, Isley, Iyla, Jaina, Jina, Jocelin, Jovie, Keelin, Kera, Kloe, Laina, Lanna, Layna, Laynie, Lera, Loria, Lyssa, Marlow, Marni, Maryn, Mattea, Merideth, Merlyn, Milah, Morgen, Mykah, Neely, Nessa, Nissa, Raena, Renna, Riana, Rori, Roselynn, Salena, Shara, Siana, Tavia, Tayah, Tesa, Tula, Ula, Vaeda, Yancy, Zana, Zeta, Aella, Aerin, Aeryn, Aeva, Ahna, Ailee, Aisa, Aiva, Alany, Aleana, Aleesa, Aleina, Aleisa, Alenna, Alesa, Alexah, Alie, Alin, Alinna, Alorah, Alyn, Alynn, Amela, Amilya, Anayla, Anely, Annel, Annia, Arah, Araina, Aralyn, Aralynn, Ardena, Ardyn, Ardyth, Arilyn, Arly, Arma, Arynn, Atalie, Aubre, Auna, Aunna, Aurie, Avana, Avanna, Avielle, Avina, Avry, Avyn, Bevin, Brena, Breya, Brin, Cadance, Cadee, Caelin, Caira, Calissa, Callee, Caris, Chanie, Charish, Chessa, Clea, Cloie, Corah, Coralyn, Corra, Coryn, Danea, Danyla, Dearra, Deirdra, Edelyn, Eiley, Elah, Elane, Elanie, Elenna, Elese, Elis, Elisse, Ellar, Ellissa, Ellyse, Elyce, Elyn, Emaleigh, Emalie, Emmarae, Enna, Evalee, Evana, Evany, Evee, Evey, Evi, Evia, Ginna, Glenys, Gwendalyn, Gwendelyn, Gwendlyn, Gwenivere, Gwyndolyn, Gwynn, Hayla, Idy, Ilena, Irean, Ivee, Iza, Izora, Jenah, Joei, Josi, Kahla, Karia, Karman, Kathya, Keirah, Kennia, Kesia, Kessa, Keyna, Kiele, Kila, Kior, Kirah, Kyna, Kyria, Lahna, Lanah, Lania, Leaha, Leala, Leeya, Leeza, Lexia, Lilya, Livie, Livy, Loa, Loghan, Lorali, Lore, Lyna, Lynea, Lyza, Maevis, Maleny, Marleah, Mayda, Mayleen, Maylen, Maylie, Meelah, Meila, Melana, Melayna, Meredyth, Meya, Milee, Monic, Mora, Nea, Nely, Nikol, Noha, Olean, Olivea, Rainah, Reesa, Remie, Resa, Rheannon, Rheba, Riah, Riane, Roanna, Rorie, Rossy, Rozalyn, Samarra, Saran, Saydie, Seena, Selia, Seren, Serra, Shilah, Siani, Siarra, Siona, Tally, Tava, Tedra, Tela, Terrah, Thera, Toba, Viona, Wrenn, Wynema, Wynette, Yides, Zanna, Zenna, Aara, Adalae, Adalay, Adaleah, Adalei, Adalis, Adaly, Adlyn, Adrie, Aerielle, Ahlana, Airel, Alaena, Aleanna, Aleese, Alenah, Alera, Aletheia, Alexas, Aliena, Alisse, Allyce, Alyzza, Amarys, Ambyr, Amea, Ameia, Aneth, Annaleigha, Anneth, Anorah, Anwen, Arria, Aryella, Athea, Atina, Aulora, Aury, Avalene, Avonna, Ayde, Biana, Bindi, Braya, Briani, Caliya, Calyssa, Capria, Carlyon, Ciena, Cloee, Dayanne, Deryn, Eilah, Elain, Eleah, Eleny, Elesa, Elesia, Ellarie, Ellayna, Ellina, Elliotte, Ellora, Elorah, Elynn, Emary, Emerlyn, Emrey, Ereka, Eria, Esti, Evalyne, Evania, Eveleen, Eveny, Evett, Evonna, Evvie, Evynn, Eyleen, Eylin, Finleigh, Fraya, Genesee, Glynna, Gwendalynn, Gweneth, Gwenevere, Haeli, Haylo, Ilea, Iley, Ilyse, Isel, Isolde, Ivori, Jaeli, Jolea, Joley, Joury, Kamela, Kasara, Kathaleya, Kaula, Kella, Kiela, Kieryn, Klair, Klaira, Kova, Kysa, Labella, Laini, Lainy, Lalla, Lannah, Larah, Larra, Lavren, Laylee, Leannah, Leiya, Lenni, Leyda, Leza, Liahna, Lileigh, Lima, Livian, Liviya, Lorely, Lorey, Makenah, Malley, Marelin, Marka, Marra, Masey, Maydelin, Mayzie, Meily, Melora, Merica, Merrin, Merryn, Miara, Minah, Monna, Mylea, Myrah, Naara, Nayvee, Neidy, Nelsy, Noraa, Nyellie, Onna, Ople, Ota, Padme, Paisly, Para, Rainna, Reah, Rheana, Rissa, Ronia, Ryana, Saydi, Sevanna, Sorah, Tannah, Tenia, Teyla, Teyona, Vala, Valyn, Vienne, Yakima, Annai, Antia, Arilla, Avalie, Avey, Edye, Emmajo, Evanne, Ezella, Halana, Jozee, Lenah, Melona, Pama, Rionna, Salaya, Seara, Wyvonne, Abbye, Abrea, Abrina, Adalai, Adalea, Ady, Ahnika, Aidy, Aislee, Alanya, Aleyssa, Alissah, Alle, Almee, Alyrica, Amalee, Amary, Amillya, Aneira, Annaka, Annaleese, Annikah, Anova, Anye, Arelly, Arryn, Audris, Avaiya, Avaleen, Avalin, Avarae, Aveena, Aylyn, Ayslin, Baela, Beva, Breea, Briena, Cadi, Caly, Casha, Ceana, Cella, Ceria, Chella, Clova, Cyera, Datha, Deicy, Deina, Delisia, Derra, Eira, Elanah, Elany, Elaynah, Elenie, Elieth, Elleah, Ellicia, Elowen, Emera, Emireth, Emony, Erine, Euva, Evanee, Evryn, Gabbi, Gracilyn, Helem, Hydia, Ilee, Ilynn, Imona, Iria, Isaly, Isys, Ivi, Jayona, Jenova, Jessah, Jhana, Jimma, Joda, Josabet, Joyia, Julea, Kameo, Keah, Kenora, Khalie, Kili, Kyira, Laiah, Lany, Larin, Leyan, Lianah, Liela, Lile, Lille, Linea, Liyanna, Loany, Lowana, Lydiana, Lynia, Maeci, Maeryn, Magaby, Maileen, Malan, Malary, Mally, Marnae, Marren, Meeya, Monik, Nalla, Neira, Nevelyn, Nimsi, Novalea, Olanna, Oreta, Petina, Ramsie, Rhaelyn, Rhia, Ryian, Sabel, Sabrea, Saraih, Saren, Sevana, Sierria, Somara, Sonnia, Sydna, Tahra, Tayra, Teeghan, Teira, Tinya, Veida, Veralynn, Veya, Via, Zalena, Zoa, Zoejane
Brothers: Wyatt, Everett, Julian, Declan, Carter, Finn, Liam, Luke, Nolan, Aidan, Alec, Aron, Barrett, Calvin, Colin, Connor, Damian, Duncan, Ellis, Emmett, Evan, Gavin, Graham, Harrison, Ian, Ira, Roy, Skyler, Spencer, Trevor, Wesley, Zander, Aden, Alden, Aleck, Archer, Austen, Bo, Bowen, Cael, Callen, Coleman, Davis, Dilan, Drake, Eliot, Ely, Emmitt, Evans, Finnian, Flynn, Galen, Glynn, Griffin, Hanson, Harlan, Howell, Kale, Kalvin, Kellen, Kolbe, Kyan, Lian, Lowell, Maison, Marshal, Merlin, Myron, Orin, Patric, Ramsey, Reece, Reed, Rhys, Sullivan, Sylas, Tobin, Trever, Valen, Vince, Wynn, Aaden, Adi, Adin, Aldon, Alen, Ander, Aren, Arin, Armon, Cai, Calen, Calin, Cam, Coen, Conway, Corin, Damen, Daris, Deklan, Desmon, Dylon, Edan, Edin, Eian, Eiden, Elwyn, Emmit, Ennis, Eron, Eston, Ethen, Ethyn, Eyan, Farris, Ferris, Gareth, Gaven, Huston, Javan, Kalan, Kallen, Keane, Keyan, Khai, Kilian, Link, Lochlan, Macklin, Mayo, Mikal, Nolen, Powell, Quin, Rafe, Shai, Steffan, Usher, Vaughan, Wesly, Adal, Adrean, Adric, Ahren, Aidon, Aiven, Alvan, Amey, Anthon, Athen, Avin, Aydon, Baden, Bradan, Bren, Brier, Calib, Carlson, Carrell, Carvin, Con, Cylas, Dalan, Delwyn, Dilon, Donley, Eagan, Ehren, Eidan, Elex, Eligh, Elven, Emitt, Emmette, Enis, Eriq, Evann, Evian, Ewing, Eydan, Fitz, Garion, Gehrig, Grahm, Hadden, Hobie, Iann, Iden, Iven, Ivin, Jak, Jarin, Javis, Jetson, Kagen, Kelin, Kowen, Leiland, Lelan, Leno, Levie, Lliam, Logun, Lukus, Lyon, Macoy, Maynor, Milas, Miloh, Neeko, Nevan, Nolin, Noriel, Nyles, Orlan, Orry, Rees, Reis, Roen, Rohen, Sylis, Syon, Taber, Vaden, Zedrick, Abron, Adain, Aidden, Aiken, Airen, Aithan, Aldan, Alwyn, Ansen, Arren, Arrick, Arth, Autrey, Ayron, Berwyn, Bodin, Bowyn, Bran, Caillou, Calan, Cane, Cohan, Colen, Colyn, Corbet, Coren, Corian, Daimen, Dorean, Eathen, Eban, Ebon, Edder, Edon, Eilan, Elye, Etan, Ethon, Evens, Evrett, Fin, Finnan, Fynn, Garet, Garreth, Gavan, Geddy, Gwin, Heyden, Ithan, Jeno, Jonan, Jonus, Keinan, Kiro, Kohan, Koven, Leam, Leeam, Leelan, Lennin, Lenon, Leodan, Lewellyn, Linc, Luken, Lukis, Madox, Matson, Maxen, Mayes, Merek, Nathin, Nesta, Nijel, Nole, Nolyn, Oland, Onis, Oryn, Pj, Pryce, Rhen, Rice, Rilan, Rivan, Rolin, Rorey, Taden, Theran, Trevar, Tymon, Valon, Whyatt, Winn, Wyatte, Wyland, Aydn, Cedrik, Delan, Derrien, Eithen, Garrit, Meric, Shuan, Siler, Aadan, Aadin, Aaro, Adean, Aeric, Aivan, Alyus, Arkyn, Aro, Arrin, Avish, Balen, Barlow, Benett, Biran, Callin, Caylum, Chao, Coner, Deren, Dover, Dowell, Earon, Eivan, Elean, Elo, Elvan, Emett, Emmons, Erian, Gaelan, Iaan, Inmer, Irah, Ison, Ivann, Jago, Jaran, Kahner, Kaylum, Kelen, Kelven, Khalin, Khoen, Khyan, Kilan, Kiren, Larz, Lavin, Leelynd, Leeon, Levan, Liahm, Lloyde, Login, Lowen, Luv, Lyall, Mainor, Mavin, Millan, Milon, Morgon, Mory, Myrick, Nalan, Nethan, Nevyn, Nivin, Noan, Nolon, Nyal, Olon, Ranen, Reiss, Remon, Rhyse, Robben, Roey, Rogen, Rolen, Rowin, Saben, Seith, Siris, Tevan, Theoren, Tobyn, Tristain, Trystian, Vivin, Wyett
Names like Owen
Names whose popularity has moved with Owen's over the last 50 years.

