Rowena
From the name of the daughter of Hengist and wife of Vortigern in Geoffrey of Monmouth's 12th century pseudohistorical Latin work Historia regum Britanniae.
Every Rowena since 1880 — 10,526 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Rowena
Rowena is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #4,441 in 2025 with 32 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 10,526 American babies have been named Rowena. Its peak came in 1917, when 224 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1910s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Rowena stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Rowena year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 32 | #4,441 |
| 2024 | 48 | #3,327 |
| 2023 | 37 | #4,031 |
| 2022 | 39 | #3,881 |
| 2021 | 33 | #4,310 |
| 2020 | 51 | #3,130 |
| 2019 | 28 | #4,879 |
| 2018 | 29 | #4,751 |
| 2017 | 22 | #5,792 |
| 2016 | 19 | #6,626 |
| 2015 | 12 | #9,384 |
| 2014 | 14 | #8,408 |
| 2013 | 11 | #10,124 |
| 2012 | 11 | #10,295 |
| 2011 | 15 | #8,124 |
| 2010 | 7 | #14,670 |
| 2009 | 14 | #8,794 |
| 2008 | 12 | #9,959 |
| 2007 | 10 | #11,463 |
| 2006 | 15 | #8,156 |
| 2005 | 18 | #6,760 |
| 2004 | 14 | #8,145 |
| 2003 | 6 | #15,367 |
| 2002 | 12 | #8,724 |
| 2001 | 11 | #9,235 |
| 2000 | 15 | #7,082 |
| 1995 | 11 | #7,956 |
| 1990 | 21 | #4,652 |
| 1985 | 38 | #2,582 |
| 1980 | 59 | #1,860 |
| 1975 | 61 | #1,621 |
| 1970 | 55 | #1,696 |
| 1965 | 91 | #1,106 |
| 1960 | 111 | #1,024 |
| 1955 | 135 | #837 |
| 1950 | 98 | #897 |
| 1945 | 89 | #801 |
| 1940 | 121 | #643 |
| 1935 | 122 | #590 |
| 1930 | 159 | #540 |
| 1925 | 170 | #551 |
| 1920 | 194 | #495 |
| 1915 | 182 | #459 |
| 1910 | 55 | #558 |
| 1905 | 27 | #695 |
| 1900 | 42 | #523 |
| 1895 | 41 | #451 |
| 1890 | 28 | #497 |
| 1885 | 20 | #483 |
| 1880 | 8 | #670 |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Rowena mean?
From the name of the daughter of Hengist and wife of Vortigern in Geoffrey of Monmouth's 12th century pseudohistorical Latin work Historia regum Britanniae.
How popular is the name Rowena in 2025?
Rowena ranked #4,441 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 32 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Rowena?
10,526 babies have been named Rowena in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Rowena most popular?
Rowena peaked in 1917, when 224 newborns received the name.
Is Rowena a boy or girl name?
Rowena is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Rowena rising or falling?
Rowena is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.