Owen Name Meaning

Learn more about the origin, popularity, and meaning of the name Owen.

Published on June 24, 2024

Fact checked by Sarah Scott

The name Owen is of Welsh and Celtic origin. When derived from the Welsh naming, Owen is spelled Owain and pronounced Oh-wane or Oh-wine. The Irish form of the name is spelled Eoghan, pronounced O-wen or YO-wen.

The name Owen dates back to the Renaissance era when it was primarily used as a Welsh surname. Owen also has religious roots, as St. Owen was a well-known Benedictine monk and follower of St. Chad.

A Celtic staple, the name Owen gained momentum in Ireland in the early 1990s and has risen steadily since. Its charming nature makes this name easy for parents to love for a baby and as their child ages.

Origin: The name Owen is of Irish and Welsh origin. Its meanings range from noble, youthful, and well-born.
Gender: Owen is historically the masculine form of the name. Popular feminine variations include Eowyn and Owena.
Pronunciation: OH-uhn

Editor's Note

Although many baby names are separated by gender, Parents believes that sex does not need to play a role in your name selection process. It’s important to select a name that you feel suits your new baby the best.

How Popular Is the Name Owen?

The name Owen has consistently risen in popularity since 2000. Owen was the 145th most common name in 2000. It first became a top 100 name in 2002. Then, the name entered the top 30 most popular baby boy names in 2016 and has stayed high on the list ever since.

The name Owen was most popular in 2022 when it ranked No. 18 on the Social Security Administration's list of male names. In 2023, it ranked No. 19.

Name Variations

The name Owen and its variants have existed across the globe for centuries. Variations of this name include:

Eugenius (Ancient Greek)
Yauhen (Belarusian)
Geno (Bulgarian, Georgian)
Eugen (Croatian)
Evžen (Czech)
Eugène (French)
Uxío (Galician)
Eugen (German)
Evgenios (Greek)
Eugenio (Italian)
Eugeniusz (Polish)
Eugênio (Portuguese)
Eugen (Romanian)
Zhenya (Russian)
Eugen (Slovak)
Eugenio (Spanish)
Yevheniy (Ukrainian)

Similar Names

Owen is a popular name that follows many current trends. If you like the sound of the name Owen, you may also appreciate:

Aiden
Colin
Declan
Ethan
Holden
Milo
Noah
Nolan
Ronan
Rowan

Other names starting with "O" include:

Odin
Oliver
Oscar
Otis
Otto
Ozzy

Common Nicknames for Owen

Owen is a short and sweet name many people choose not to abbreviate. Others go with the youthful nickname, Owie, which adds some flair to the traditional form of the name. Other nickname options to consider are Ennie, O, or Wen.

Suggested Sibling Names

Need a sibling name for Owen? Some of the most popular options include:

Alexander
Benjamin
Connor
Emmett
Henry
Liam
Silas
Audrey
Charlotte
Cora
Hannah
Isla
Nora
Olivia

Famous People Named Owen

People named Owen are commonly viewed as charismatic, athletic, and intelligent. Notable Owens include actors, writers, and scientists.

Famous Owens

Owen Daniels, former American football player for the Houston Texans
Owen Roberts, Supreme Court Justice known for protecting First Amendment freedoms.
Owen Willans Richardson, British physicist who won the Nobel Prize in 1928
Owen Wilson, American actor, writer, producer
Owen Wister, American writer best known for 1902 novel The Virginian

Fictional Owens

Owen Grady, in Jurassic World
Owen Hunt, in Grey's Anatomy
Owen Meany, in A Prayer For Owen Meany
Owen Milligan, in Degrassi
Owen Sleater, in Boardwalk Empire

More Baby Names

Still searching for the perfect baby name? Check out these related baby name lists for even more options:

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Sources

Parents uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Popularity of a Name: Owen. Social Security Administration. 2024.