The origins of the name Rowan are a bit complicated. According to Behind the Name, it comes from the Irish name Ruadhán, which comes from the Old Irish word for "red." Yet it is also linked to the rowan tree, a name with roots in Old Norse. While the rowan — also known as mountain ash — may be a tree, it's one known for its clusters of white flowers that blossom in the spring. 

As noted by Trees for Life, the rowan tree is deeply rooted in the folklore of Europe. According to Norse mythology, the tree once saved the life of the god Thor by offering its branches to him as a river threatened to carry him to the Underworld. Grasping the branches of the tree, Thor was able to pull himself out of the water. It's fitting, then, that in Scandinavia, runes were carved in rowan wood and used to try to see the future. Further west, in the British Isles, rowan has long been considered to have powers of protection, shielding people from magic.

The history of rowan is a fascinating one fitting for any baby, regardless of gender. While traditionally given to boys, Rowan is a gender-neutral moniker today.