Rowan comes from an Irish surname which is the anglicized form of Ó Ruadháin meaning “descendant of Ruadhán”, the latter meaning “little red one”, a diminutive of Irish ruadh meaning “red”, derived as a nickname for someone who had red hair or a ruddy complexion. It derives from a Proto-Indo-European root. In Irish mythology, Ruadhán is the son of the Brigid, a goddess of poetry, healing, and smith craft. Rowan is also the name of a genus of trees which derives from the same root word as above.
Origin: Proto-Indo-European
Female forms:
- Rowanne (English)
- Rowen (English)
- Rowenne (English)
Male forms:
- Ruadhán (Irish)
- Rowen (English)
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