| Rowan | Nolan | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Little red one; rowan tree | Champion |
| Origin | Irish | Irish |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | ROH-un | NOH-lun |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1916 | 1881 |
| Peak year | 2025 (5,212) | 2015 (5,739) |
| In 2025 | 5,212 | 4,846 |
| Trend | Near its peak | Rising |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Rowan | Nolan |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 24,763 | 30,357 |
| 2010s | 19,019 | 50,045 |
| 2000s | 5,491 | 26,374 |
| 1990s | 709 | 11,791 |
| 1980s | 182 | 4,678 |
| 1970s | 78 | 2,006 |
| 1960s | 71 | 1,494 |
| 1950s | 77 | 1,960 |
| 1940s | 76 | 2,003 |
| 1930s | 72 | 1,822 |
| 1920s | 72 | 1,674 |
| 1910s | 18 | 1,021 |
| 1900s | 0 | 174 |
| 1890s | 0 | 75 |
| 1880s | 0 | 31 |
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.
Nolan comes from the Irish Ó Nualláin, linked to “champion” or “noble.”
Rowan is more popular than Nolan today: about 5,212 US babies were given the name Rowan in 2025, compared with 4,846 named Nolan.
Rowan means Little red one; rowan tree (Irish origin), while Nolan means Champion (Irish origin).
In US records, Rowan first appears in 1916 and Nolan in 1881, so Nolan has the longer recorded history.