Choosing a name for your child can be an exciting yet daunting task, as parents often consider a variety of factors including family traditions, meanings, and trends. One popular name that has gained significant attention in recent years is Owen. This article explores the origin, meaning, and interesting facts about the name Owen.
Origin and Meaning of the Name Owen
The name Owen has Welsh origins and is derived from the name Owain or Owein, which means "youth" or "well-born". In Welsh mythology, Owain was a knight of King Arthur's Round Table, known for his bravery and leadership skills. The name became popular in Wales during the Middle Ages and has since spread to other countries.
Trend for the Name Owen
The name Owen has been consistently popular in the United States and other English-speaking countries since the 19th century. It was most popular in the 1920s and 1930s, and has since experienced a resurgence in recent years. In 2020, it was ranked as the 21st most popular name for boys in the United States.
Interesting Facts about the Name Owen
- The name Owen has many variations, including Ewan, Eoghan, Evan, and Owain.
- Famous people with the name Owen include actor Owen Wilson, soccer player Owen Hargreaves, and musician Owen Pallett.
- The name Owen is often used in literature and film, including John Irving's novel "A Prayer for Owen Meany" and the Disney movie "The Black Cauldron", which features a character named Prince Gwydion, who goes by the name Owen.
- Owen is a versatile name that can be paired with a variety of middle names, including traditional names like James and William, or more unique names like River and Greyson.
Owen rank report (US ranking for newborns 2021)
- Rank 18. Mason
- Rank 19. Sebastian
- Rank 20. Ethan
- Rank 21. Logan
- Rank 22. Owen
- Rank 23. Samuel
- Rank 24. Jacob
- Rank 25. Asher
- Rank 26. Aiden
Nicknames for Owen
| O | /o/ | Shortening of the name Owen. |
| Owe | /oʊ/ | A common nickname for Owen. |
| Win | /wɪn/ | A creative nickname for Owen based on the last part of the name. |
| Wen | /wɛn/ | A shortened version of Owen that is easy to say. |
| Oni | /oʊni/ | A unique nickname for Owen that is a play on the name. |
| O-man | /oʊ-mæn/ | A fun and playful nickname for Owen. |
| O-dog | /oʊ-dɑg/ | A cool and hip nickname for Owen. |
| O-bear | /oʊ-bɛr/ | A cute and cuddly nickname for Owen. |
| O-ster | /oʊ-stər/ | A fun and quirky nickname for Owen. |
Famous people named Owen
| Owen Wilson | Actor | Known for his roles in movies such as Wedding Crashers, Zoolander, and The Royal Tenenbaums. |
| Owen Hart | Professional wrestler | Known for his time in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and his tragic death during a wrestling match. |
| Owen Chamberlain | Physicist | Known for his work in discovering the antiproton, which led to him being awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1959. |
| Owen Wister | Author | Known for his Western novel, The Virginian, which is considered a classic of American literature. |
| Owen Hargreaves | Footballer | Known for his time playing for Bayern Munich and Manchester United, as well as his appearances for the England national team. |
| Owen Roe O'Neill | Military leader | Known for his leadership of the Irish Confederate Wars in the 17th century. |
| Owen Gingerich | Astronomer | Known for his work in the history of astronomy, particularly his research on the astronomer Johannes Kepler. |
| Owen Smith | Politician | Known for his time as a Member of Parliament in the United Kingdom and his unsuccessful bid for the leadership of the Labour Party in 2016. |
Fictional character called Owen from pop culture
| Owen Grady | Jurassic World protagonist | Raptor trainer and park ranger |
| Owen Lars | Star Wars character | Stepbrother of Anakin Skywalker and adoptive father of Luke Skywalker |
| Owen Hunt | Grey's Anatomy character | Head of trauma surgery at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital |
| Owen Burnett | Gargoyles character | Formerly a villain, later an ally of the Gargoyles |
| Owen Shaw | Fast and Furious antagonist | Leader of a criminal gang and rival to Dominic Toretto |
| Owen Meany | A Prayer for Owen Meany protagonist | A small-statured boy with a high-pitched voice who believes he is an instrument of God |
| Owen Tillerman | Central Park protagonist | The park manager's son who is trying to save Central Park from being taken over by a wealthy heiress |
| Owen Harper | Torchwood character | Medical officer and member of the Torchwood team |
| Owen Burnett | Jem and the Holograms character | A music producer and love interest of Jem |
| Owen Mercer | DC Comics character | Also known as Captain Boomerang, a supervillain and member of the Suicide Squad |
Frequently Asked Questions about Owen
| What is the origin of the name Owen? | The name Owen is of Welsh origin. |
| What is the meaning of the name Owen? | The name Owen means 'youthful warrior' or 'well-born'. |
| Is Owen a popular name? | Yes, Owen has been a popular name in recent years, ranking in the top 100 names for boys in the United States. |
| What are some famous people with the name Owen? | Famous people with the name Owen include actor Owen Wilson, musician Owen Pallett, and football player Owen Daniels. |
| Is Owen a unisex name? | While Owen is traditionally a masculine name, it has become more commonly used as a unisex name in recent years. |