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 [ 2 syll. o-wen, ow-en ] The boy name Owen is pronounced as OWahN KEY. Owen is used predominantly in the English, Irish, and Welsh languages, and it is derived from Celtic and Welsh origins. Celtic and Welsh origin, English and Welsh use: The name is of debated origin; it could be of the Welsh 'oen' (lamb) or 'eoghunn' (youth), or else it could have evolved as a Welsh form of Eugene in the sub-Roman era, or else it could be from an Old Celtic name meaning 'born of Esos' in reference to the minor Celtic god Esos or Aesos from Gaul. The older form of the name, Owain (Welsh) or Yvain (Welsh), was borne by a knight of the Round Table and son of King Urien in Arthurian legend. It was also borne by the Welsh revolutionary Owain Glyndwr (1354-1416), whose name was Anglicized by Shakespeare as Owen Glendower. Owain is still sometimes encountered in today's use. The name Owena (Welsh) is the female version of Owen. The name Owain (Welsh) and the name Owens (English) are variants of Owen. In addition, Owen is a variant (English, Irish, and Welsh) of the name Eoghan (Irish and Scottish). See also the related form, Eugene (English). Owen is popular as a baby name for boys, and it is also viewed as trendy. The name's popularity has been rising since the 1960s. At the modest peak of its usage in 2006, 0.375% of baby boys were given the name Owen. Its ranking then was #58. In 2008, its usage was 0.359% and its ranking #58, and it was the most popular out of all boy names in its group. In 2008, Owen was more commonly used than the subsequent ranked name, Eugene (English), by 23 times. Baby names that sound like Owen include Ohin, Onan, Oni, Owain (Welsh), and Onani. Details of famous persons named Owen: KEY: Pronunciation for Owen: OW as in "oat (OW.T)" ; AH as in "hut (HH.AH.T)" ; N as in "knee (N.IY)"   |
