Boy · #12,142 in 2026

Owan

The Afemai people are a major ethnic group in the northern region of Edo State, Nigeria. They are historically linked to the Kingdom of Benin and are part of the Edoid ethnolinguistic family.

Current Rank
#12,142
Peak Rank
#9,584 (2006)
Total Babies
19
5-Yr Trend
Stable
2006
First Year
2019
Last Year
2006
Peak Year
#9584
Peak Rank
19
Total Count
3
Years Active

Meaning & Origin of Owan

What this name means, where it came from, and how it has traveled across cultures.

The Afemai people are a major ethnic group in the northern region of Edo State, Nigeria. They are historically linked to the Kingdom of Benin and are part of the Edoid ethnolinguistic family.

Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0). Read more →

Origin & history
Afemai is made of several kingdoms and clans (large villages/ townships ruled traditionally by monarchs ) and many of them seem to have their own oral history versions of the origin of Afemai as well as claims to its starting point in history. Historical accounts claimed that they migrated from Benin , during the rule of Oba Ewuare . [ citation needed ] The title Ewuare (Oworuare), means "all is well" or "the trouble has ceased". [ citation needed ] The title symbolizes an epoch of reconciliation, reconstruction and the return of peace among the warring factions in Benin between 1435-1440 AD.

The Story of Owan

Owan first appeared in U.S. Social Security Administration records as a baby boy name in 2006, with 7 babies given the name that year. Its peak popularity came in 2006, when 7 Owans were born — ranking #9,584 that year. As of 2026, Owan ranks #12,142 for baby boys with 5 births, with steady use. In total, more than 19 Owans have been born in the U.S. since records began in 1880, spanning the 2000s through the 2020s.

Popularity Over Time

Popularity by State

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Notable people named Owan

A small selection from Wikipedia. Tap "Read more" below to see the full list on Wikipedia.

  • the late Michael Imoudu , a former labour union leader and founder of the Nigeria state,
  • the late Chief Julius Momo Udochi the first Nigerian ambassador to the United States,
  • the late Gen. George Agbazika Innih , one-time military governor of Bendel and Kwara States ,
  • the late major-general Abdul Rahman Mamudu , former commander, Nigerian Army Signals Corps and military administrator Gongola State ,
  • Rt Hon Sir Colonel Tunde Akogun , former Sole administrator for culture and archives, also former House Leader, Federal House of Representatives,
  • John Momoh (Chairman/CEO of Channels Television )
  • Adams Oshiomhole , past president of the Nigeria Labour Congress , former governor of Edo State , and current serving senator of Edo north senatorial district (the Afemai people).
  • Prince Tony Momoh , former Minister of Information and Culture,

Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0). Read more →

Names that sound like Owan

Phonetically similar names — useful when Owan is the vibe but a different syllable count or letter feel might suit better. Linked entries have a profile on Peek a Name.

Source: Datamuse . Phonetic similarity ranking, not curated.

Frequently Asked Questions about Owan

What does the name Owan mean?
The Afemai people are a major ethnic group in the northern region of Edo State, Nigeria. They are historically linked to the Kingdom of Benin and are part of the Edoid ethnolinguistic family.
How popular is Owan in 2026?
In 2026, Owan ranks #12,142 among boys' names in the U.S., with 5 babies given the name that year.
When was Owan most popular?
Owan reached its peak popularity in 2006, ranking #9,584 that year with 7 babies given the name.
Is Owan a unisex name?
In U.S. Social Security records, Owan is primarily a boy's name. We don't have meaningful data for it as a girl's name.
What names go well with Owan?
Names that share a similar style or popularity range with Owan include Beny, Franke, Noell. These pairings are based on rank proximity and naming era in U.S. data.

About the name Owan

Owan is a boy baby name tracked by the U.S. Social Security Administration. It first appeared in SSA records in 2006 and has accumulated 19 births in the dataset. Owan's peak popularity came in 2006 when it ranked #9,584. Use the chart and map above to compare Owan's trajectory across years and U.S. states, or browse the related names section to discover similar choices.

Continue exploring

Data sources

  • Birth statistics (counts, ranks, years 1880–2026) — U.S. Social Security Administration . Predictions for years not yet released by SSA are computed by Peek a Name from historical trends; we update with official data as soon as it ships.
  • Etymology, cultural origins, and related forms — Behind the Name (used under their public API terms).
  • Meaning prose and editorial summary — Wikipedia article extracts, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 .
  • Predicted nationality distribution — Nationalize.io .
  • Phonetically similar names — Datamuse .

Peek a Name aggregates and presents the above data for informational purposes. Statistical predictions and external attributions are clearly labelled where shown; we make no guarantee of accuracy beyond what each source provides.