A 1890s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Owens since 1890
Babies named Owens per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1921, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Owens's real moment was 1896.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 13 |
| 1900s | 15 |
| 1910s | 92 |
| 1920s | 165 |
| 1930s | 98 |
| 1940s | 86 |
| 1950s | 83 |
| 1960s | 34 |
| 1970s | 23 |
| 1980s | 7 |
| 1990s | 7 |
| 2000s | 34 |
| 2010s | 36 |
| 2020s | 52 |
Meaning & origin
Owens is a patronymic surname turned given name with deep Welsh roots, ultimately derived from the Greek Eugenios meaning 'noble.' The name has a long but modest history as a first name in the United States, first recorded in the data in 1890. It reached its peak rank during the 1890s, specifically rank 6,803 in 2025. In its peak year of 1896, the name saw its highest usage, though it wasn't among the most common choices. Owens has experienced a rising trajectory since 2013, showing a recent revival that aligns with broader trends of using surnames as first names. While it has not frequently appeared in top states for popularity, its consistent, if low, usage over decades demonstrates lasting appeal for families seeking a name with historical heft and a noble meaning.
Owens is a patronymic surname turned given name, derived from the Welsh personal name Owen (from the Latinized Eugenius, ultimately from Greek Eugenios, meaning 'well-born' or 'noble'). As a first name, it gained modest use in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, reflecting a broader trend of adopting family names as given names.
“Owens” around the world
Where Owens lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Sibling names for Owens
Names that share Owens's style, for a brother or sister.
