Rowen is of Welsh origin, meaning "little red one," derived from the Welsh word 'rhyw' which translates to "red." It is also associated with the Rowan tree, a symbol of protection and wisdom in Celtic tradition. The name gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the late 20th century, particularly in the United States and Canada. Rowen is often used as a unisex name but is more commonly found among males. It has a modern and unique sound while still being easy to pronounce and spell. Some notable people named Rowen include Australian rules footballer Rowen Gillies and Canadian ice hockey player Rowen Ekblad.
The name Rowen experienced a significant increase in popularity over time, with a total of 2306 babies named Rowen born between 1994 and 2023. The highest peak occurred in 2023 with 170 births, while the lowest was in 1995 with only 5 births.