A 1910s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Rowena since 1880
Babies named Rowena per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 160 |
| 1890s | 354 |
| 1900s | 406 |
| 1910s | 1,412 |
| 1920s | 1,774 |
| 1930s | 1,481 |
| 1940s | 1,056 |
| 1950s | 1,268 |
| 1960s | 960 |
| 1970s | 566 |
| 1980s | 391 |
| 1990s | 163 |
| 2000s | 127 |
| 2010s | 168 |
| 2020s | 240 |
Meaning & origin
Rowena is a name with a literary pedigree and a classic sound. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1880, and its highest rank was in 1917, fitting the height of its early 20th-century popularity. After a long period of decline, the name has been rising steadily since 2002, suggesting a modern revival. While never common, Rowena's rarity (1 in 50,227 births in 2025) gives it a distinctive, elegant feel. Its origins, possibly from Old Germanic roots meaning 'famous friend', are romanticized by its use in Walter Scott's Ivanhoe, cementing its place as a name with both history and charm.
Rowena is a name of uncertain origin, though it is commonly believed to derive from the Old Germanic elements 'hrod' (fame) and 'wine' (friend), thus 'famous friend'. It gained popularity through Sir Walter Scott's 1819 novel 'Ivanhoe', where Rowena is a Saxon noblewoman. The name saw moderate use in the 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in English-speaking countries.
Where Rowena is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Rowena” around the world
Where Rowena lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Roe, Wena, Rowy
Sibling names for Rowena
Names that share Rowena's style, for a brother or sister.
