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Rowan or Rohan????

34 replies

RoseGarden123 · 08/02/2013 10:13

Our baby boy is due soon as we like the name Rowan/rohan with the Irish pronounciation of Ro - w(h)an. Where the w or h are almost silent.
On research it appears that both are old fashion versions of the gaelic version of the name but Rohan is more the spelling of the boys version. However I believe in Indian cultures that Rohan is used as a boys name with the pronounciation Row-Han - with emphasis on the H.
which do you think is best? And how would you pronounce each if you saw them written?

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rachel234 · 08/02/2013 10:17

I know an Indian boy called Rohan and they do pronounce the h. I think I'd go for Rowan in your case.

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IrnBruTheNoo · 08/02/2013 10:19

I also know an Indian boy called Rohan, I love this name!

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LittleChimneyDroppings · 08/02/2013 10:24

I like Rowan. Its a great name.

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GlaikitFizzog · 08/02/2013 10:28

As in ro-an to rhyme with Owen? (I'm Scottish so they do sound the same to me) then I would go with rowan. I know a rowan and its a lovely name! I think if you use the h the h will be pronounced. But be prepared for some people to call him row-an rhymes with Cowan.

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JazzAnnNonMouse · 08/02/2013 10:28

I would automatically pronounce rohan as row- han sounding the 'h'. I would suggest that if you don't want to be correcting people to the pronunciation you prefer you should go with rowan. Smile

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badtime · 08/02/2013 10:42

Rohan is also a country in Lord of the Rings - in the films, the 'h' is pronounced.

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RoseGarden123 · 08/02/2013 12:16

Thanks all, looks like 'Rowan' may be the best way to go...

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TenthMuse · 08/02/2013 13:55

I suspect Rohan would tend to be pronounced Row-han. The (half-Indian) Rohan I taught pronounced his name this way, plus you have the Lord of the Rings connection, which (if I remember correctly) also pronounces the h! Either version is lovely, but f you want the Irish pronunciation I think Rowan is a safer bet.

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JoanHarris · 08/02/2013 14:52

I'm Irish and I've never heard of Rowan/Rohan - maybe I'm alone? Ronan is the normal over here.

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BeanstalkandBump · 08/02/2013 16:43

Joan you've never heard of Rowan Atkinson? Or the recently ex Arch Bishop of Canterbury Rowan?
It's in the top two on our boys' list and I'd go for Rowan.

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Leeds2 · 08/02/2013 20:53

I think of Rowan as a girl's name, tbh (despite Rowan Atkinson!). Whereas I see Rohan as definitely for boys.

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IncognitoIsMyFavouriteWord · 08/02/2013 20:55

I like both but I do know a girl called Rowan spelt like that and the W is pronounced Smile

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MoonHare · 08/02/2013 21:21

I think of Rowan as more of a girls name too, think that's because of the film The Wicker Man. I was at school with a Rohan who pronounced it Row-an, no one seemed to have a problem with it.

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farmersdaugther · 08/02/2013 21:46

My BIL is Rohan

My friend (girl) is Rowan

Helpful?

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mawi · 09/02/2013 02:03

What about using Roan?

Roan meaning and name origin
roan\ as a boy's name is a variant of Rowan (Gaelic), and the meaning of Roan is "little red-head
Read more at www.thinkbabynames.com/meaning/1/Roan#s0jAkj7EUh4Vtzdq.99

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HappyHugs · 10/02/2013 23:06

There is no 'w' in Irish. The only comparable irish name is Ronan. Neither of the other versions is irish but both are equally nice imho.

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PickledInAPearTree · 10/02/2013 23:58

I would go for Rowan as I wouldnt like the LOTRsyness of Rohan.

I like Rowan.

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toomuch2young · 11/02/2013 00:01

Yes i agree Roan is the Irish spelling of the name you are looking at if you wish to pronounce it that way.
Otherwise Rowan is lovely, but people will tend to pronounce it with the W.

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MidnightMasquerader · 11/02/2013 00:06

Rowan for me, lovely name.

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TiggerWearsATriteSmile · 11/02/2013 00:06

Roan is the name you're looking for I think. If its the Irish version your looking for

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PickledInAPearTree · 11/02/2013 00:14

Yes agree about the w.

The way you want it pronounced if go for roan.

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lopsided · 11/02/2013 00:28

Rohan can be pronounced with a silent H. I think there was a famous West indian cricketer with the name. I think it's lovely. I think of Rowan as the feminine form though obviously I know of loads of blokes with the name.

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CointreauVersial · 11/02/2013 00:31

Rohan is much nicer. I have a friend with this spelling, pronounced Ro-an.

The Rowan spelling seems a bit feminine to me.

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FooffyShmoo · 11/02/2013 00:46

My DS is Rohan (pronounced Ro-an silent H). We researched it before making our final decision. It is Irish. An anglicised version of the gaelic Ruadhaun.
We have had very few people pronounce it Ro-Han. People instinctively seemed to get how to say it. Its helpful however that DS is not backward in coming forward in politely but firmly correcting them Smile

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sashh · 11/02/2013 08:09

I also think Rowan= girl and Rohan=boy and I pronounce them both the same.


If you have a girl in future, don't call her Willow, unless yu want people to make assumptions about you.

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