| Finn | Rowan | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Fair, white | Little red one; rowan tree |
| Origin | Irish | Irish |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | FIN | ROH-un |
| Syllables | 1 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1918 | 1916 |
| Peak year | 2017 (2,382) | 2025 (5,212) |
| In 2025 | 1,702 | 5,212 |
| Trend | Rising | Near its peak |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Finn | Rowan |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 11,805 | 24,763 |
| 2010s | 17,597 | 19,019 |
| 2000s | 4,917 | 5,491 |
| 1990s | 405 | 709 |
| 1980s | 59 | 182 |
| 1970s | 33 | 78 |
| 1960s | 82 | 71 |
| 1950s | 30 | 77 |
| 1940s | 0 | 76 |
| 1930s | 6 | 72 |
| 1920s | 5 | 72 |
| 1910s | 10 | 18 |
From the Irish Fionn, “fair” or “white.” Fionn mac Cumhaill leads the warriors of Irish legend.
Rowan has two roots that meet in the name: the Irish Ruadhán, “little red one,” and the English name of the rowan tree with its red berries.
Rowan is more popular than Finn today: about 5,212 US babies were given the name Rowan in 2025, compared with 1,702 named Finn.
Finn means Fair, white (Irish origin), while Rowan means Little red one; rowan tree (Irish origin).
In US records, Finn first appears in 1918 and Rowan in 1916, so Rowan has the longer recorded history.