Find out how popular the first name Owain has been for the last 23 years (from 1998 to 2020) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Owain by gender

Based on the last 23 years of data, Owain is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2020, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Owain.

The history of the first name Owain

The name Owain originates from the Welsh language and culture. It is derived from the Old Welsh word "ouguin" which means "born of a noble family" or "well-born". The name can also be traced back to the Old Celtic word "audagos" meaning "prosperous" or "wealthy".

Owain was a popular name among the ancient Welsh, particularly among the nobility and royalty. It appeared frequently in Welsh literature and poetry, such as the Mabinogion, a collection of medieval Welsh tales and myths dating back to the 11th or 12th century.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Owain can be found in the Welsh Triads, a series of traditional medieval Welsh literature that dates back to the 13th century. The Triads mention an Owain mab Urien, a legendary figure who was said to be a king of Rheged, a kingdom in what is now northern England and southern Scotland, during the late 6th century.

In the 12th century, Owain Gwynedd (c. 1100 - 1170) was a Welsh prince who became the King of Gwynedd, a powerful Welsh kingdom in northwest Wales. He is remembered for his military campaigns against the English and for his efforts to unite the Welsh kingdoms.

Another famous bearer of the name was Owain Glyndŵr (c. 1359 - c. 1415), a Welsh nobleman and the last native Prince of Wales. He led a major revolt against the English rule of Wales between 1400 and 1415, and was successful in rallying many Welsh people to his cause.

In the 16th century, Owain Tudor (c. 1495 - 1535) was a Welsh soldier and diplomat who served as a courtier to King Henry VIII of England. He is notable for being the grandfather of Sir Walter Raleigh, the famous English explorer and courtier.

Owain ap Gruffydd (c. 1359 - 1415), also known as Owain of Powys, was a Welsh nobleman and military leader who fought alongside Owain Glyndŵr in the Welsh revolt against the English in the early 15th century.

While the name Owain has its roots in Welsh culture and history, it has also been used by people of other nationalities and backgrounds over the centuries, particularly in areas with strong Celtic or British influences.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Owain was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Owain, please contact us.

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