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Bowen

Boy name · 14 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Bowen: 14 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 5 births in 2024.

The name Bowen has Welsh origins, stemming from the surname "ab Owain," meaning "son of Owain"—with Owain itself rooted in the Welsh word for "young warrior" or "well-born." It also appears in Irish as an anglicisation of Ó Buadhacháin, "descendant of the victorious one." Modern fame includes comedian and *Saturday Night Live* cast member Bowen Yang, a prominent cultural figure. The name also graces Bowen Island, British Columbia, named after a Royal Navy officer, and Bowen Hills in Queensland, Australia. A sweet variant is the directly Welsh "Owain," while Bowen has seen a steady rise as a given name in Scotland since the 2000s, blending a surname feel with soft, friendly sounds.

Boy 4 of 52 years

Peak year
20245 babies
Latest (2025)
#7623 babies
Total births
14since 2015
5-year trend
≈ stablevs prior 5y
1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2024 · 5
Births per year in Scotland. Missing years had a count of 2 or fewer (suppressed by NRS).