Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Rosemary
GirlLatin, English· “dew of the sea; an herb”
- Meaning
- dew of the sea; an herb
- Origin
- Latin, English
- Pronunciation
- ROHZ-meh-ree
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #251
- US babies 2025
- 1,222
- Best rank
- #74 (1946)
- Peak year
- 1947
Meaning and origin of Rosemary
Rosemary is a Latin and English name that means “dew of the sea; an herb”.
Rosemary is the name of a fragrant herb. It comes from the Latin ros marinus, meaning dew of the sea, perhaps because the plant thrives near the Mediterranean coast. English speakers later heard it as a blend of Rose and Mary, which helped it become a given name in the late nineteenth century. In Hamlet, Ophelia says rosemary is for remembrance, a line that gave the herb a lasting association with memory. The name feels warm, vintage and gentle. Rosie and Romy are charming nicknames, and it pairs nicely with shorter middle names.
Popularity over time
Rosemary first appears in US Social Security records in 1882. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 142 different years, starting in 1882. Its best national rank was #74 in 1946, and the most babies received it in 1947, when 4,542 were named Rosemary. In 2025, 1,222 babies were named Rosemary, and it ranked #251 nationally. That is 101% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #141 in 1920, #101 in 1950, #395 in 1980, #631 in 2000, #714 in 2010, and #251 in 2025. Of the 163,165 US girls named Rosemary since records began, 21% were born in the 1940s, its biggest decade. The 1920s come next, with 25,965 babies. Since 2010, 11,612 more have been named Rosemary.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Dianne, Jeanne, Eileen, Lynda, and Sally.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Rosemary ranked highest in Alaska, District of Columbia, and Alabama.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | #85 | 8 |
| District of Columbia | #141 | 6 |
| Alabama | #147 | 30 |
| Minnesota | #151 | 36 |
| South Dakota | #156 | 8 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Rosemary is usually pronounced ROHZ-meh-ree, with three syllables. It has eight letters, starts with R and ends in “-ry”.
Middle names for Rosemary
A few middle names that flow with Rosemary: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Rosemary
Similar names
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sih-KWOY-uh
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Mary Girl
MEH-ree
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Lists that include Rosemary
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Rosemary mean?
Rosemary is a Latin and English name that means “dew of the sea; an herb”.
What is the origin of the name Rosemary?
Rosemary has Latin and English roots. Rosemary is the name of a fragrant herb.
Is Rosemary a popular name?
Yes. Rosemary ranked #251 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Rosemary a boy or girl name?
Rosemary is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Rosemary?
Rosemary is usually pronounced ROHZ-meh-ree. 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