Boy · 426th of 23,106
Bowen
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
12,179
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2024
Peak Popularity Year
1,106
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Bowen stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Bowen has Welsh origins, meaning 'son of Owen', derived from the surname 'Ap Owen'. It has evolved through historical forms such as Owen and Ap Owen. The name conveys traits of nobility and heritage, with no significant biblical relevance. It gained popularity as a first name in the 19th century and is now perceived as strong and traditional.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈboʊən/
Origin
Welsh
Etymology
The name Bowen is derived from the Welsh surname 'Ap Owen', which means 'son of Owen'. Owen itself comes from the Welsh name Owain, which is thought to mean 'noble' or 'well-born'.
Meaning
Son of Owen
Language Evolution
Ap Owen, Owen, Bowen
Historical Usage
Bowen began to gain popularity as a first name in the 19th century, particularly in Wales and the English-speaking world, as surnames transitioned into given names.
Variants & Derivatives
Bowie, Bowen, Owen
Modern Popularity & Image
Bowen is currently viewed as a strong and traditional name, often associated with a sense of heritage and connection to Welsh culture.
Famous People
Bowen Yang - American actor and comedian, Bowen McCoy - American football player
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 1,106 peak births in 2024
Geographic Spread
Popular across 45 US states, with strongest presence in Utah
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 9 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 9 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 4199th of 7545 | 55 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 4679th of 6773 | 32 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 3402nd of 7552 | 108 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 3356th of 10718 | 149 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 2498th of 16616 | 402 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1096th of 24088 | 2,448 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 426th of 23106 | 8,695 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 19106th of 35406 | 45 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 6040th of 30306 | 245 |