Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Primrose
GirlEnglish, Latin· “first rose”
- Meaning
- first rose
- Origin
- English, Latin
- Pronunciation
- PRIHM-rohz
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #2,561
- US babies 2025
- 69
- Best rank
- #2,068 (2021)
- Peak year
- 2021
Meaning and origin of Primrose
Primrose is an English and Latin name that means “first rose”.
Primrose is the name of a pale yellow spring flower, used as a girl's name in the tradition of English flower names such as Lily and Violet. The word comes from the Medieval Latin prima rosa, first rose, though the plant is not a true rose. The flower is one of the first to bloom in spring, which explains the name. In English, the primrose path is a phrase for an easy life of pleasure, used by Shakespeare. It is said PRIHM-rohz. Rose, Rosie and Prim are natural nicknames. The name feels sweet and old-fashioned.
Popularity over time
Primrose first appears in US Social Security records in 1914. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #2,068 in 2021, the same year it reached its highest count of 93 babies. In 2025, 69 babies were named Primrose, and it ranked #2,561 nationally. That is 35% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #5,612 in 1920 and #2,561 in 2025. Of the 1,033 US girls named Primrose since records began, 50% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 427 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Emmylou, Skai, Andromeda, Jadore, and Rainey.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Primrose ranked highest in Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Texas.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | #1567 | 5 |
| Illinois | #1575 | 5 |
| Texas | #2581 | 8 |
| California | #3023 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Primrose is usually pronounced PRIHM-rohz, with two syllables. It has eight letters, starts with P and ends in “-se”.
Middle names for Primrose
A few middle names that flow with Primrose: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Primrose
Similar names
Rosie Girl
ROH-zee
“rose” · English
#283
Blossom Girl
BLAH-sum
“flower, bloom” · English
#1,300
Lily Girl
LIH-lee
“lily flower” · English
#18
Daisy Girl
DAY-zee
“day's eye” · English
#75
Lilly Girl
LIH-lee
“lily flower” · English
#252
Gracie Girl
GRAY-see
“grace” · English
#227
Rose Girl
ROHZ
“the rose flower” · Latin
#114
Poppy Girl
PAH-pee
“poppy flower” · English
#292
Jovie Girl
JOH-vee
“jolly; from jovial” · English
#521
Ollie Unisex
AH-lee
“short form of Oliver or Olivia” · English
#1,058
Cadence Girl
KAY-duhns
“rhythm, flow” · English
#1,022
Mabel Girl
MAY-buhl
“lovable” · English
#201
Lists that include Primrose
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Primrose mean?
Primrose is an English and Latin name that means “first rose”.
What is the origin of the name Primrose?
Primrose has English and Latin roots. Primrose is the name of a pale yellow spring flower, used as a girl's name in the tradition of English flower names such as Lily and Violet.
Is Primrose a popular name?
Not especially. Primrose ranked #2,561 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Primrose a boy or girl name?
Primrose is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Primrose?
Primrose is usually pronounced PRIHM-rohz. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings