Primrose
Primrose: name meaning, origin and popularity
Meaning and origin of Primrose
Root meaning: “wood, tree”
- A female given name from English.
Etymology
The surname derives from a place name in Fife, Scotland; Watson (1926) derived this from Pictish/Proto-Brythonic *prenn (“wood, tree”) + *rros (“moor, heath”). Taylor instead argued for Scottish Gaelic prím (“first”) + ros (“promontory”). Changed by folk etymology because of phonetic resemblance to primrose. The given name is one of the 19th-century flower names.
How popular is Primrose?
Since 1880, 1,033 girls in the U.S. have been named Primrose. Its highest rank for girls was #2068 in 2021. In 2025, 69 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Primrose
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More English girl names
Sibling name ideas for Primrose
Sister and brother names that share Primrose's English roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Primrose FAQ
What does the name Primrose mean?
Primrose traces back to a root meaning "wood, tree". A female given name from English. The surname derives from a place name in Fife, Scotland; Watson (1926) derived this from Pictish/Proto-Brythonic *prenn (“wood, tree”) + *rros (“moor, heath”). Taylor instead argued for Scottish Gaelic prím (“first”) + ros (“promontory”). Changed by folk etymology because of phonetic resemblance to primrose. The given name is one of the 19th-century flower names.
What is the origin of the name Primrose?
Primrose is listed as a name of English origin.
How popular is the name Primrose?
Since 1880, 1,033 girls in the U.S. have been named Primrose. Its highest rank for girls was #2068 in 2021. In 2025, 69 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Primrose a boy or girl name?
Primrose is mostly a girl name in the U.S.: 1,033 girls and 0 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.