Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Roxana
GirlPersian, Greek· “little star; bright”
- Meaning
- little star; bright
- Origin
- Persian, Greek
- Pronunciation
- rahk-SAN-uh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #2,366
- US babies 2025
- 77
- Best rank
- #619 (1987)
- Peak year
- 1991
Meaning and origin of Roxana
Roxana is a Persian and Greek name that is usually said to mean “little star; bright”.
Roxana comes from Old Persian and is usually explained as 'bright' or 'shining'; the popular meaning 'little star' is a later interpretation. Its first famous bearer was Roxana, the Bactrian noblewoman who married Alexander the Great. Daniel Defoe used the name for the title character of his novel Roxana, and the French form Roxane belongs to the heroine of Cyrano de Bergerac. The name has a bold, glamorous edge with ancient roots. Roxy and Roxie are lively nicknames, and Roxanne is the familiar English variant.
Other spellings with the same sound: Roxanna.
Popularity over time
Roxana first appears in US Social Security records in 1882. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 20 different years, starting in 1889. Its best national rank was #619 in 1987, and the most babies received it in 1991, when 315 were named Roxana. In 2025, 77 babies were named Roxana, and it ranked #2,366 nationally. That is 39% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,877 in 1920, #1,182 in 1950, #1,103 in 1980, #1,058 in 2000, #1,387 in 2010, and #2,366 in 2025. Of the 11,994 US girls named Roxana since records began, 21% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 2,304 babies. Since 2010, 1,825 more have been named Roxana.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Kortney, Alesha, Yessenia, Latifah, and Kanisha.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Roxana ranked highest in Colorado, California, and Texas.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado | #1031 | 5 |
| California | #1350 | 18 |
| Texas | #1887 | 12 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Roxana is usually pronounced rahk-SAN-uh, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with R and ends in “-na”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Roxanna.
Middle names for Roxana
A few middle names that flow with Roxana: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Roxana
Similar names
Aryana Girl
ahr-ee-AH-nuh
“variant of Ariana; origin uncertain” · Persian
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Selina Girl
suh-LEE-nuh
“uncertain; possibly moon” · Greek
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Corina Girl
kaw-REE-nuh
“maiden” · Greek
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Illiana Girl
il-ee-AH-nuh
“variant of Iliana” · American (modern coinage)
#2,467
Arina Girl
uh-REE-nuh
“Russian form of Irina, "peace"” · Russian
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Selena Girl
suh-LEE-nuh
“moon” · Greek
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Christina Girl
krihs-TEE-nuh
“follower of Christ” · Latin
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Melina Girl
meh-LEE-nuh
“possibly honey” · Greek
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Iliana Girl
il-ee-AH-nuh
“uncertain; possibly from Ilion or Helen” · Greek
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Ariadna Girl
ah-ree-AHD-nah
“most holy (form of Ariadne)” · Spanish
#1,417
Daria Girl
DAHR-ee-uh
“feminine of Darius; holding firm the good” · Persian
#1,858
Irina Girl
ih-REE-nuh
“Russian form of Irene, peace” · Russian
#1,636
Lists that include Roxana
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Roxana mean?
Roxana is a Persian and Greek name that is usually said to mean “little star; bright”.
What is the origin of the name Roxana?
Roxana has Persian and Greek roots. Roxana comes from Old Persian and is usually explained as 'bright' or 'shining'; the popular meaning 'little star' is a later interpretation.
Is Roxana a popular name?
Not especially. Roxana ranked #2,366 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Roxana a boy or girl name?
Roxana is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Roxana?
Roxana is usually pronounced rahk-SAN-uh. 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