Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Roxanna
GirlPersian, Greek· “bright, shining”
- Meaning
- bright, shining
- Origin
- Persian, Greek
- Pronunciation
- rahk-SAN-uh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #2,856
- US babies 2025
- 60
- Best rank
- #575 (1954)
- Peak year
- 1988
Meaning and origin of Roxanna
Roxanna is a Persian and Greek name that is usually said to mean “bright, shining”.
Roxanna is a variant of Roxana, a name from Old Persian often explained as meaning bright or shining, though the exact source is not fully certain. Roxana was the wife of Alexander the Great, a noblewoman from Central Asia whom he married in the fourth century BC. The name was used in English literature, including Daniel Defoe's novel Roxana. It has a glamorous, romantic sound with three syllables. Roxy and Anna are natural nicknames.
Other spellings with the same sound: Roxana.
Popularity over time
Roxanna has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 53 different years. Its best national rank was #575 in 1954, and the most babies received it in 1988, when 316 were named Roxanna. In 2025, 60 babies were named Roxanna, and it ranked #2,856 nationally. That is 38% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #2,158 in 1920, #705 in 1950, #1,160 in 1980, #1,489 in 2000, #1,413 in 2010, and #2,856 in 2025. Of the 13,459 US girls named Roxanna since records began, 16% were born in the 1980s, its biggest decade. The 1960s come next, with 2,034 babies. Since 2010, 1,414 more have been named Roxanna.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Cassondra, Chantelle, Porsha, Kassie, and Jerica.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Roxanna ranked highest in California and Texas.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| California | #1726 | 13 |
| Texas | #1888 | 12 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Roxanna is usually pronounced rahk-SAN-uh, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with R and ends in “-na”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Roxana.
Middle names for Roxanna
A few middle names that flow with Roxanna: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Roxanna
Similar names
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Lists that include Roxanna
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Roxanna mean?
Roxanna is a Persian and Greek name that is usually said to mean “bright, shining”.
What is the origin of the name Roxanna?
Roxanna has Persian and Greek roots. Roxanna is a variant of Roxana, a name from Old Persian often explained as meaning bright or shining, though the exact source is not fully certain.
Is Roxanna a popular name?
Not especially. Roxanna ranked #2,856 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Roxanna a boy or girl name?
Roxanna is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Roxanna?
Roxanna 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