Names That Mean Rose

The rose has been a symbol of love and beauty across Europe and the Middle East for centuries, so it is no surprise that it anchors a large family of names. Rose and Rosa are the simplest, and Rosie is the cozy form many families use at home. Longer versions such as Rosalie, Rosalia, Rosalina, and Rosalinda add rhythm, and Saint Rosalia remains a beloved patron of Palermo in Sicily.

Other languages bring their own words. Shoshana is Hebrew and is usually translated as lily, though in modern Hebrew it also refers to the rose. Raizy is a Yiddish affectionate name drawn from the word for rose. Rhodes shares its root with the Greek word rhodon, and the island of Rhodes has long been linked to the flower. Rosario is Spanish for rosary, a word that itself grew out of the image of a rose garden.

Compound names such as Rosemarie, Roselyn, Roselynn, and Rosalee pair the flower with another sound. When choosing among them, decide whether you want the familiar short form Rosie to come naturally, since nearly every name here invites it.