Rosemary
Rosemary: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈɹəʊzməɹi/ · /ˈɹəʊzˌmɛːɹi/
Meaning and origin of Rosemary
- A female given name from Latin.
Etymology
A combination of Rose + Mary, referring to the flower as a symbol of Virgin Mary, first recorded in the eighteenth century. It is found in continental Europe as Rosemarie and Rosa Maria. After mid-nineteenth century when flower names became common it may also refer to the herb rosemary, Latin ros marinus "dew of the sea".
How popular is Rosemary?
Since 1880, 163,165 girls and 358 boys in the U.S. have been named Rosemary (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #74 in 1946. Its highest rank for boys was #2087 in 1931. In 2025 it ranked #251 for girls, with 1,222 babies given the name.
Names similar to Rosemary
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Latin girl names
Sibling name ideas for Rosemary
Sister and brother names that share Rosemary's Latin roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Rosemary FAQ
What does the name Rosemary mean?
A female given name from Latin. A combination of Rose + Mary, referring to the flower as a symbol of Virgin Mary, first recorded in the eighteenth century. It is found in continental Europe as Rosemarie and Rosa Maria. After mid-nineteenth century when flower names became common it may also refer to the herb rosemary, Latin ros marinus "dew of the sea".
What is the origin of the name Rosemary?
Rosemary is listed as a name of Latin origin.
How popular is the name Rosemary?
Since 1880, 163,165 girls and 358 boys in the U.S. have been named Rosemary (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #74 in 1946. Its highest rank for boys was #2087 in 1931. In 2025 it ranked #251 for girls, with 1,222 babies given the name.
Is Rosemary a boy or girl name?
Rosemary is mostly a girl name in the U.S.: 163,165 girls and 358 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.