Name Detail
Owen is usually an anglicised variant of the Welsh personal name Owain. Originally a patronymic, Owen became a fixed surname in Wales beginning with the reign of Henry VIII. Etymologists consider it to originate from Eugene, meaning 'noble-born'. According to T. J. Morgan and Prys Morgan in Welsh Surnames: "the name is a derivation of the Latin Eugenis > OW Ou[u]ein, Eug[u]ein ... variously written in MW as Ewein, Owein, Ywein. LL gives the names Euguen, Iguein, Yuein, Ouein. The corresponding form in Irish is Eoghan." Morgan and Morgan note that there are less likely alternative explanations, and agree with Rachel Bromwich that Welsh Owein "is normally latinised as Eugenius", and that both the Welsh and Irish forms are Latin derivatives.
noble-born
A boy name with 2 syllables. Currently considered popular.
Explore how the popularity of Owen has changed over the last two decades.
The name Owen has Welsh and Irish origins, with roots potentially tracing back to the Old Norse name Eugen, meaning "well-born" or "noble." It gained significant popularity in Wales and Ireland and has since spread across the English-speaking world. The name carries connotations of strength and nobility.
Owen Wilson, Owen Sound, Owen Hart, Owen Farrell, Owen Teale
O, Owie
Deep dive into history & etymology