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Decoding the Name Rose: What Does It Really Mean?

Updated

Rose Overview

  • Meaning: Rose as a given name comes from the German “hrodheid,” which can be interpreted as “famous flower” and is associated with beauty.
  • Gender: The name Rose is primarily given to girls. However, it saw use as a boy’s name in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
  • Origin: The name comes from the Latin word for Rose, “rosa.
  • Pronunciation: The name is pronounced “roess,” rhyming with “nose” and “goes.”
  • Popularity: The name was most popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s. It has remained a popular name and, in 2021, was number 116 for newborn girls in the United States.
  • Nicknames: Rosa, Rosalia, Rosalina, Rosalie, Rosaria, Rosie, Rosy.
  • Variations: Rhodē, Róisín, Rosa, Rosalía, Rosalie, Rosaria, Rosarie, Roos, Rozália, Rozalia, Roze.
  • Namesakes: Rose Hobart (American actress), Rose McGowan (American actress), Roseanne “Rose” Park (K-pop singer).

What Does Rose Mean?

The name Rose originally began to be used as an alternative to the German name Hrodheid. The name Hrodheid is composed of the German words “hrod,” which means “fame”, and “heid,”which means “type” or “kind”.

When examined in this context, the meaning is linked to the flower rose and translates as “famous type of flower”.

Rose primarily gains its meaning from the flower it comes from. So, the name Rose is often associated with beauty.

What is the Origin of the Name Rose?

The name Rose originally comes from the flower of the same name. The name itself is Latin in origin as it comes from the word “rosa,” the word for the flower. It gained popularity as a given name in England, Italy, and France during the Middle Ages.

It later became a way of honoring St. Rose of Lima for those in the Catholic faith, after she was declared a saint in the late 1600s (1).

How Popular is the Name Rose?

The name Rose has been used for quite a long time throughout history, with its origins as a given name starting in the Middle Ages.

Although records for the period are less reliable, the name Rose became very popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Notably, it was the 14th most popular name for girls in the United States in 1913.

In recent years, the name has seen less use. Throughout the 2000s, the name sat around the 300s for its rank. It saw a slight rise in the 2010s when it climbed back into the top 150 in 2018. It ranked number 116 for newborn girls in 2021 (2).

How Do I Pronounce Rose?

The name Rose is pronounced “roess.” It is pronounced like the “r” in “ran,” the “o” in “go,” the “s” in “pass,”and the “e” is not distinctly pronounced. It rhymes with the word “goes” or “nose.”

Is Rose a Boy or Girl Name?

The name Rose has traditionally been more popular as a given name for girls. This is not to say the name has not been used in history as a given name for boys.

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, as the name Rose became very popular for girls, it began to see use as a given name for boys. Still, it was not nearly as popular.

Variations of Rose

Due to its use throughout history, the name Rose has many variations in diverse locations, cultures, and languages:

  • Rhodē (Greek)
  • Róisín (Irish)
  • Rosa (Portuguese)
  • Rosalía (Spanish)
  • Rosalie (Danish)
  • Rosaria (Italian)
  • Rosarie (Czech)
  • Roos (Dutch)
  • Rozália (Hungarian)
  • Rozalia (Polish)
  • Roze (Latvian)

Nicknames for Rose

Some of the most commonly used nicknames for those named Rose include:

  • Rosa
  • Rosalia
  • Rosalina
  • Rosalie
  • Rosaria
  • Rosie
  • Rosina
  • Rosy

Similar Names to Rose

If you enjoy the name Rose and are looking for something similar, here are some of the most similar names. Many share their roots as a flower name:

Middle Names for Rose

Since Rose is quite a short name, it pairs well with many other melodic middle names, long or short:

Sibling Names for Rose

If you are interested in finding a name for siblings that pairs well with Rose, here are some great options:

For a brother:

For a sister:

Famous People Named Rose

There are many famous Roses out there, both current and historical:

  • Keren (“Rose”) Meloul: French singer-songwriter.
  • Rose Byrne: Australian actress.
  • Rose Fan Hui: Chinese saint.
  • Rose Hobart: American actress.
  • Rose Kim: Korean saint.
  • Rose Leslie: Scottish actress.
  • Rose McGowan: American actress.
  • Rose McIver: New Zealand actress.
  • Roseanne (“Rose”) Park: Singer in the K-pop group Blackpink.

Rose in Popular Culture

The name Rose lends itself very well to fictional stories, so here are some of the most famous pop culture figures named Rose:

  • Rose: Character from the video game franchise “Street Fighter”video games.
  • Rose DeWitt Bukater: One of the main characters in the 1997 film “Titanic.”
  • Rose Henderson: Character from the TV show “Lost.”
  • Rose Nylund: One of the main characters in the TV series “The Golden Girls.”
  • Rose Quartz: Character from the animated series “Steven Universe.”
  • Rose Tico: Character from the movie “Stars Wars: The Last Jedi.”

Rose FAQs

Keep reading to find the answers to some frequently asked questions about the name Rose.

Does the Name Rose Have Any Personality Traits?

While everyone is, of course, an individual, names are said to carry particular qualities. For instance, Rose is often said to be cheerful, conversational, and approachable. They are said to be kind, empathetic, and highly persuasive.

Is Rose Associated With Specific Colors?

Yes, the name Rose has strong connections to the colors blue, yellow, and white. There are also links to copper, silver, and diamond.

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