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

Popularity of Owens by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Owens is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 10 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Owens.

The history of the first name Owens

The name Owens has its origins in the Welsh language and culture, dating back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Welsh word "eogyn," which means "youth" or "young man." The name was initially used as a descriptive term or nickname for a young person.

In medieval Wales, the use of patronymic naming systems was common, where a person's name would indicate their lineage or familial connection. The name Owens likely emerged as a patronymic surname, indicating that the person was the son of someone named Owen.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Owens can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of landholdings and taxation compiled in 1086 under the order of William the Conqueror. The name appears as "Ouuenus" in the records, referring to individuals living in various parts of England at the time.

Throughout history, the name Owens has been associated with several notable figures. One of the earliest was Owain Glyndŵr (c. 1349-c. 1416), a Welsh prince and the last native Prince of Wales. He led a major rebellion against the English rule in the early 15th century, becoming a symbol of Welsh nationalism.

Another prominent figure bearing the name Owens was John Owen (1616-1683), an English Puritan theologian and academic who served as the vice-chancellor of the University of Oxford. He was a prolific writer and a influential figure in the development of Calvinistic theology.

In the realm of literature, Wilfred Owen (1893-1918) was a renowned English poet and soldier, known for his poignant and powerful works that depicted the horrors of World War I. His poems, such as "Dulce et Decorum Est" and "Anthem for Doomed Youth," have become classics of war poetry.

The name Owens has also been associated with notable figures in sports. Jesse Owens (1913-1980) was an American track and field athlete who achieved international fame by winning four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, challenging the Nazi regime's ideology of Aryan superiority.

In more recent times, Toni Owen (1920-2009) was a British actress and playwright who had a successful career in both theater and television. She was known for her roles in productions such as "Upstairs, Downstairs" and "The Jewel in the Crown."

These are just a few examples of the many individuals throughout history who have borne the name Owens, each leaving their mark in various fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of human achievement and cultural heritage.

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

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

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