Owen
/ˈoʊ.ən/noun
A traditionally Welsh masculine given name and surname.
Did you know?Medieval scribes often equated Welsh Owain with the Latin name Eugenius, even though the exact original Celtic derivation remains debated.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Celtic (proposed)
Proto-Celtic
*Esugenos
“Often reconstructed as “well-born” or “born of a good lineage,” though this derivation is debated.”
Early Medieval period
Brittonic
*Owēnos
“A proposed Brittonic ancestor of the Welsh personal name.”
6th Century
Old Welsh
Ouen
“An early Welsh form of the name, borne by historical Brittonic and Welsh rulers.”
Medieval Welsh
Welsh
Owain
“The established medieval Welsh form, famously borne by Owain ap Gruffudd and Owain Glyndŵr.”
Medieval Latin
Latin
Oenus / Eugenius
“Latin forms used by scribes; Eugenius was an interpretive equivalent rather than a certain direct translation.”
Middle English
English
Owen
“The Anglicized form adopted as an English given name and surname.”
Modern English
English
Owen
“A modern masculine given name and family name, especially associated with Welsh heritage.”