Meaning & History
Rowina is a variant of the name Rowena. The origin of Rowena is uncertain, but it has strong literary and legendary connotations. According to the 12th-century chronicler Geoffrey of Monmouth, Rowena (spelled as such) was the name of the daughter of the Saxon chief Hengist. Geoffrey may have based it on the Old English elements hroð "fame" and wynn "joy", or alternatively on the Old Welsh elements ron "spear" and gwen "white". The name was popularized by Walter Scott, who used it for a character in his novel Ivanhoe (1819).
Rowina, like Rowena, is used primarily in English-speaking countries. The variant spelling with an 'i' may reflect a modernization or a softening of the name. In Welsh, the cognate form is Rhonwen, which shares the same possible etymological roots. While Rowina is less common than Rowena, it carries the same sense of ancient nobility and literary romance.
- Meaning: Uncertain; possibly "fame joy" or "white spear"
- Origin: English variant of Rowena
- Usage Regions: English-speaking countries
- Notable Reference: Geoffrey of Monmouth's legendary figure; Walter Scott's Ivanhoe