| Liam | Rowan | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Resolute protector | Little red one; rowan tree |
| Origin | Irish | Irish |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | LEE-am | ROH-un |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1947 | 1916 |
| Peak year | 2024 (22,252) | 2025 (5,212) |
| In 2025 | 20,818 | 5,212 |
| Trend | Near its peak | Near its peak |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Liam | Rowan |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 124,842 | 24,763 |
| 2010s | 174,017 | 19,019 |
| 2000s | 44,940 | 5,491 |
| 1990s | 11,904 | 709 |
| 1980s | 1,527 | 182 |
| 1970s | 784 | 78 |
| 1960s | 400 | 71 |
| 1950s | 117 | 77 |
| 1940s | 5 | 76 |
| 1930s | 0 | 72 |
| 1920s | 0 | 72 |
| 1910s | 0 | 18 |
Liam is an Irish short form of William, itself from the Germanic Wilhelm — wil (will, desire) plus helm (helmet, protection) — giving the sense “resolute protector” or “strong-willed guardian.”
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.
Liam is more popular than Rowan today: about 20,818 US babies were given the name Liam in 2025, compared with 5,212 named Rowan.
Liam means Resolute protector (Irish origin), while Rowan means Little red one; rowan tree (Irish origin).
In US records, Liam first appears in 1947 and Rowan in 1916, so Rowan has the longer recorded history.