MallowbyNames

Owen

OH-en · A Welsh name usually explained as a form of Eugenius (Greek, "well-born"), though a native Celtic origin has also been proposed; it also serves as an anglicization of Irish Eoghan.

2025 rank (boys)
#31
Babies named in 2025
7,190
Peak popularity
2016
2025 frequency
1 in 238 boys
Usually for
Boys
Trend
Rising since 1985

Rising since 1985, #31 for boys today.

Popularity of Owen since 1880

Babies named Owen per year in U.S. Social Security records.

3.4k6.9k10.3k1880192019602000Most births 2016Boys
Data table (by decade)
DecadeBoys
1880s758
1890s761
1900s860
1910s3,791
1920s5,873
1930s4,285
1940s3,922
1950s3,945
1960s2,916
1970s3,017
1980s4,050
1990s9,658
2000s61,878
2010s91,098
2020s48,832

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.

2020s
Fewermore per 100k boystoo few 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

Variants: Owain, Eoghan, Owyn

Famous people named Owen

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.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

O is for Owen, our favorite little boy.

O is for Owen…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Owen's letter becomes Owen's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Owen's book

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Questions parents ask

What does Owen mean?
Its origin is debated. The traditional view derives Welsh Owain from Latin Eugenius, Greek for "well-born," but some scholars argue for a native Celtic root; the Irish name Eoghan, also anglicized as Owen, has its own contested etymology.
How popular is Owen?
Owen ranked No. 31 for American boys in 2025, given to about 1 in every 238 boys.
Is Owen Welsh or Irish?
Both, in practice: it is the standard anglicization of Welsh Owain and of Irish Eoghan, two historically distinct names that converged on one English spelling.
Is Owen still rising?
It crested in 2016 after three decades of growth beginning in 1985, and has since settled comfortably inside the top 40, past its peak but far from fading.
What sibling names pair well with Owen?
Nora, Hazel, or Maeve for a sister; Everett, Declan, or Wyatt for a brother.