Owen Name Meaning

By Renee Plant
Updated on August 07, 2021
Fact checked by Cara Lustik
Smiling boy red hair

Elizabeth Marie / Getty Images

The name Owen is of Welsh and Celtic origin. When derived from the Welsh naming, Owen is spelled Owain and pronounced OH-ween. The Irish form of the name is 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; 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 winsome 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

Although many baby names are separated by gender, Verywell Family 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. While it's yet to enter the top 20, it seems to be well on its way.

Owen was the 145th most common name in 2000. It first became a top 100 name in 2002, where it has sat comfortably since.

The name Owen was most popular in 2019 when it ranked #21 on the Social Security Administration's list of male names.

Name Variations

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

  • Eugenius (Ancient Greek)
  • Yauhen (Belarusian)
  • Geno (Bulgarian)
  • 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

Other boys' names starting with O:

  • Odin
  • Oliver
  • Oscar
  • Otis
  • Otto
  • Ozzy

Common Nicknames

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

  • 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, American football player
  • Owen Roberts, Supreme Court Justice
  • Owen Willans Richardson, British physicist
  • Owen Wilson, American actor
  • Owen Wister, American writer

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:

1 Source
Verywell Family 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.

  1. Social Security Administration. Get Ready for Baby: Popularity of a Name.

By Renee Plant
Renee Plant is a health and wellness freelance writer with a passion for delivering well-researched, factual content to readers. 

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