Owen

The first name Owen is primarily common in English-speaking countries, while its exact origin has not yet been definitively clarified. It is often considered an anglicized form of the name Owain and may have roots in Latin or Greek.

What does the name Owen mean?

Owen is a male first name widely used in English-speaking regions. Its origin is not definitively clarified. It is seen as an anglicized variant of the Gaelic name Eoghan, which means 'born of the yew.' Additionally, Owen is often translated as 'the man of noble birth' or 'the noble.' This meaning derives from the ancient Greek terms eû (εὖ), meaning 'good,' and genés (γενής) for 'born' or génos (γένος) for 'the race.' In the Welsh language, owi, meaning 'lamb,' could lead to the interpretation 'the innocent lamb.' In the Irish context, it is also interpreted as 'the young warrior' or loosely translated as 'God's gift.' There may also be connections to Ouen (Dadon, Latin Audoenus), a Frankish saint whose feast day is celebrated on August 24. Variants include Owenn, Ivain, Yvain, and Ywain. Female forms are Owena, Oweta, Ivaine, and Yvaine. In Arthurian legend, Owain appears as a knight of the Round Table, son of King Urien and husband of the Lady of the Lake.

Where does the name Owen come from?

The name Owen has Celtic and ancient Greek origins and means 'the man of noble birth.' The ancient Greek components include eû (εὖ) for 'good' and genés (γενής) or génos (γένος), which can both be translated as 'born' or 'the race, lineage.' In Old Welsh, the composition owi could stand for 'sheep' or wesu for 'good,' while awi means 'wish' and gen means 'born.' The relevant languages are English, Irish, and Welsh.

How do you pronounce Owen?

Sound and pronunciation of Owen: The first name Owen has a two-syllable, open sound. In German pronunciation, it is usually rendered as 'O-wen' [ˈoːvən], beginning with a long O sound that conveys calmness. The soft 'w' provides a smooth connection, while the ending '-en' gives the name stability. Owen sounds modern and harmonious, clear and contemporary.

When is the name day of Owen?

The name day for Owen is celebrated on August 24.

Popularity

In Germany, the name Owen enjoys great popularity, currently ranking 1,098th on the list of most common male first names. Its best placement was in 2009 at 597th. Over the last ten years, Owen has been given as a first name about 450 times, placing it 937th in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 1,018th. Worldwide, Owen is also popular, as shown by its rankings in various countries.

Nicknames & pet names

Ofen / Ow / Owi / Owi Öven

Similar first names

Famous people

• Arthur Owen Vaughan (writer from England)
• Frank Owen Gehry (* 1929), Canadian architect
• Humphrey Owen Jones (English mountaineer)
• Kenneth Owen Arvidson (New Zealand poet)
• Owen Aaronovitch (British actor)
• Owen Campbell Bolwell (Australian musician)
• Owen Daniels (American football player)
• Owen Fegan (Irish musician)
• Owen Giles (English rugby player)
• Owen Glyndwr (The last Welsh prince of Wales (1356 - 1416))
• Owen Grady (character in the film Jurassic World)
• Owen Hargreaves (football player)
• Owen Harper (character in the TV series 'Torchwood')
• Owen Hunt (character from Grey's Anatomy)
• Owen Jones (British writer)
• Owen Joyner (actor)
• Owen Lewis (American bishop)
• Owen McCarron (Canadian illustrator)
• Owen Merton (artist from England)
• Owen Pallett (Canadian violinist)