Holding steady.
Popularity of Rowene since 1916
Babies named Rowene per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 26 |
| 1920s | 48 |
| 1930s | 37 |
| 1940s | 26 |
| 1950s | 5 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Rowene first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1916, a latecomer to the family of Rowena variants that gained popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its peak usage came in 1928, when it saw its highest recorded number of births, though it never broke into the top 1000 nationally. The name has since maintained a stable but extremely low frequency, with fewer than 5 births per year in recent decades. As a spelling variant of Rowena, Rowene inherits the literary prestige of Scott's 'Ivanhoe' character, a Saxon princess associated with beauty and resilience. The name's rarity today gives it a distinct, old-fashioned charm that may appeal to parents drawn to unusual names with a vintage feel. Its trajectory shows no signs of revival, making it a truly uncommon choice.
Rowene is a variant of Rowena, a name coined by Sir Walter Scott for his 1819 novel 'Ivanhoe', likely derived from the Old High German elements 'hruod' (fame) and 'wunna' (joy), meaning 'famous joy'. The name may also have been influenced by the Old English name 'Hrōdwēn'. Though the spelling Rowene is less common, it emerged in the early 20th century as an alternative.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Rowie, Wena
Sibling names for Rowene
Names that share Rowene's style, for a brother or sister.
