Owen
Say it: OH-in/ˈəʊɪn/
BoyMeans usually linked to Latin Eugenius, "well born"4 letters2 syllables
#317
in Ireland (2025)
#307 with spellings combined
13
babies in 2025
#68
best rank (1978)
4,114
babies since 1964
Down 158
10-year rank change
Owen through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (boys) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 13 | #307 |
| 2024 | 10 | #360 |
| 2023 | 22 | #210 |
| 2022 | 21 | #227 |
| 2021 | 27 | #193 |
| 2020 | 23 | #208 |
| 2019 | 28 | #190 |
| 2018 | 25 | #215 |
| 2017 | 21 | #244 |
| 2016 | 25 | #218 |
| 2015 | 42 | #149 |
| 2014 | 23 | #237 |
| 2013 | 39 | #167 |
| 2012 | 40 | #169 |
| 2011 | 52 | #136 |
| 2010 | 61 | #122 |
| 2009 | 63 | #119 |
| 2008 | 74 | #103 |
| 2007 | 59 | #116 |
| 2006 | 68 | #92 |
| 2005 | 67 | #95 |
| 2004 | 67 | #88 |
| 2003 | 52 | #104 |
| 2002 | 65 | #84 |
| 2001 | 67 | #83 |
| 2000 | 62 | #84 |
| 1999 | 65 | #85 |
| 1998 | 55 | #82 |
| 1997 | 51 | #97 |
| 1996 | 65 | #86 |
| 1995 | 60 | #92 |
| 1994 | 63 | #88 |
| 1993 | 65 | #91 |
| 1992 | 58 | #99 |
| 1991 | 78 | #83 |
| 1990 | 87 | #79 |
| 1989 | 81 | #79 |
| 1988 | 70 | #85 |
| 1987 | 94 | #75 |
| 1986 | 90 | #76 |
| 1985 | 103 | #71 |
| 1984 | 106 | #69 |
| 1983 | 91 | #76 |
| 1982 | 117 | #70 |
| 1981 | 102 | #78 |
| 1980 | 102 | #78 |
| 1979 | 107 | #76 |
| 1978 | 128 | #68 |
| 1977 | 104 | #73 |
| 1976 | 111 | #69 |
| 1975 | 84 | #87 |
| 1974 | 92 | #76 |
| 1973 | 109 | #72 |
| 1972 | 89 | #81 |
| 1971 | 77 | #90 |
| 1970 | 78 | #81 |
| 1969 | 92 | #69 |
| 1968 | 67 | #77 |
| 1967 | 64 | #80 |
| 1966 | 69 | #75 |
| 1965 | 65 | #72 |
| 1964 | 59 | #71 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Owen mean?
Usually linked to Latin Eugenius, "well born"
English form of the Irish Eoghan and the Welsh Owain.
Say it right
OHin
The story of Owen
Owen has two homes. In Ireland it has long been used as the English form of Eoghan, and in Wales it is the English form of Owain. Both are usually traced to the Latin name Eugenius, from a Greek word meaning “well born”, although some scholars have suggested other origins.
Eoghan is one of the oldest names in Irish history. In the early stories Eoghan Mór is an ancestor of the kings of Munster, and Eoghan, son of Niall of the Nine Hostages, gave his name to Tír Eoghain, now Tyrone. Many Irish families named Eoghan used Owen when writing in English.
In the CSO records Owen was a steady choice for decades. Its best year was 1978, with 128 boys and a rank of number 68. It has become less common since, and 13 boys were named Owen in 2025. It has done better in Northern Ireland, where it reached number 46 in 1999. The CSO counts Eoghan and Eoin as separate names.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Owen (English proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Owen (name)
- CSO VSA50, Boys Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
- NISRA, First Forenames Given to Babies Registered in Northern Ireland
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Owen | 13 | 4,114 |
In Northern Ireland
#175 in 2025 with 12 babies. Best rank #46 (1999); 1,003 babies since 1997.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.