Find out how popular the first name Owen has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Owen by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Owen is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 100% of people named Owen being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 7,985 male babies and 30 female babies born with the name Owen.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 30 baby girls were named Owen in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Owen

The name Owen has its roots in the Welsh language and culture, originating as a variant of the name Owain. It is derived from the Welsh word "eogyn," meaning "well-born" or "youth." The name gained widespread popularity in Wales during the Middle Ages.

Owain ap Gruffydd, also known as Owen Glendower, was a renowned Welsh prince and military leader who led a long-running but ultimately unsuccessful revolt against the English crown in the early 15th century. He is considered one of the most celebrated figures in Welsh history and is credited with helping to keep the Welsh language and culture alive during a time of English dominance.

Another notable bearer of the name was Owen Roe O'Neill, an Irish military leader who fought for the Catholic Confederation of Kilkenny during the Irish Confederate Wars in the 17th century. He was a skilled strategist and commander, and his exploits against the English forces earned him a reputation as one of Ireland's greatest soldiers.

In the realm of literature, Owen Felltham was an English essayist and moralist who lived in the early 17th century. His best-known work, "Resolves: Divine, Moral, and Political," was a collection of essays that explored various philosophical and moral topics, and it was widely read and admired during his lifetime.

Another notable figure was Owen Glendower Paterson, a Welsh-born American lawyer and politician who served as a U.S. Representative from Tennessee in the late 19th century. He was a prominent figure in the Republican Party and was known for his advocacy of civil rights and education reforms.

In the world of science, Owen Willans Richardson was a British physicist and Nobel laureate who made significant contributions to the study of thermionic emission, a process that involves the release of electrons from a heated material. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1928 for his groundbreaking work in this field.

These examples highlight the enduring legacy and historical significance of the name Owen, which has been borne by notable individuals across various cultures and fields throughout the centuries.

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 Owen was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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