Owen: Name Meaning, Origin, & Popularity

Boy name origins & meanings

What does Oliver mean and stand for?

Meaning:

Latin: Olive tree
Norse: Descendant of the ancestors
Irish: Born to nobility; warrior
Welsh: Young warrior; well-born

Gender: Male

Syllables: 3

Pronunciation: The name Oliver is pronounced ah-lih-ver.

The name Oliver has been derived from the Latin word olivarius, which means "olive tree planter." It can also be traced back to the Old Norse name Áleifr, meaning "descendant of the ancestors." Owen is also a variation of Welsh first name Owain, and means "young warrior" or "well-born."

Boy name variations

Family name origins & meanings

Welsh: from the Welsh personal name Owain, probably a borrowing in Roman times of Latin Eugenius (see Eugene), but possibly of more ancient Celtic origin, cognate with Gaelic Eoghan.

Scottish and Irish: reduced Anglicized form of Gaelic Mac Eoghain "son of Eoghan" (see McEwen).

Famous people with this first name

Owen Wilson

Famous people who gave their babies this name

Oliver in Pop Culture

Do you know these fictional characters that share this first name?

Oliver Twist from Oliver Twist - The protagonist of Charles Dickens’ novel, he is a young orphan who endures many hardships in his quest for a family and happiness.
Oliver Queen from Arrow - Also known as the Green Arrow, he is a billionaire playboy who becomes a vigilante to fight crime in Star City.
Oliver Hampton from How to Get Away with Murder - An intelligent IT specialist who becomes involved in the complex legal and personal lives of Annalise Keating and her students.
Oliver Banks from Laurel-Leaf Library - A troubled teen who finds solace and purpose through his passion for dance and dedication to his younger brother.
Dr. Owen Hunt from Grey's Anatomy - A trauma surgeon who brings his expertise and complicated history to the halls of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.

Popularity of the Name Owen

According to Social Security Administration data, Owen has been a consistently popular name in the U.S., ranking within the top 30 names for boys since the early 2010s. It reached its highest position as one of the 20 most popular name during 2023. The name Owen, of Welsh origin meaning "young warrior" or "well-born," has a rich blend of historical and cultural significance.

Historically, one of the most notable Owens is Owen Tudor, the grandfather of Henry VII and a key figure in the establishment of the Tudor dynasty. In literature, Owen Meany, the protagonist of John Irving's novel A Prayer for Owen Meany, stands out as a memorable character. In the entertainment world, actors such as Owen Wilson have brought contemporary fame to the name through their acclaimed performances in films like Wedding Crashers and Midnight in Paris. Additionally, fictional characters named Owen, such as Dr. Owen Hunt from the TV series Grey's Anatomy, contribute to the name's enduring popularity and cultural relevance.