"rose"
Origin: Latin
Language: Latin
Rosa
Pronunciation: [ r-OHZ-uh ]
Girl Name
#662 Most Popular
Rising
2 Syllables
A timeless rose — graceful across every language and culture
Spanish
Italian
German
English
Portuguese
Classic
Elegant
Vintage
Gentle
Meaning & Origin
"rose flower"
Origin: Spanish/Italian
Language: Spanish
The Story of Rosa
Rosa comes directly from the Latin rosa, meaning rose — the beloved flower that has symbolized love, beauty, and purity across Western civilization for millennia. The name was used throughout the Roman Empire, enthusiastically adopted by the Catholic Church (Rosa of Lima was the first canonized saint of the Americas), and spread across Europe and Latin America. Its simplicity and floral beauty have kept it enduringly popular across centuries and cultures.
Rosa has been a quiet stalwart of naming charts for centuries, never wildly trendy but never disappearing. It has seen a modest revival in the 2010s-2020s as vintage European names came back into fashion among parents seeking something classic but not overused.
Rosa Parks, the civil rights activist who refused to give up her bus seat in 1955, gave the name an indelible association with courage and dignity in American history. Saint Rosa of Lima (1586-1617), canonized in 1671, remains the patron saint of Latin America and the Philippines.
Fun Facts
- Rosa Parks is consistently ranked among the most influential Americans of the 20th century
- Rosa of Lima was the first person born in the Americas to be declared a saint by the Catholic Church
- Rosa was a top-10 name in most of Europe from the 1880s through the 1930s
Rosa in Other Languages
Arabic
روزا
French
Rose
German
Rosa
Italian
Rosa
Spanish
Rosa
Portuguese
Rosa
Famous People Named Rosa
R
Rosa Parks
Activist
1913
American civil rights activist whose refusal to give up her bus seat sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955
R
Rosa Luxemburg
Activist
1871
Polish-German Marxist philosopher and revolutionary political theorist
R
Rosa of Lima
Religious
1586
First canonized saint of the Americas, patron saint of Latin America and the Philippines
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #662
- Total SSA Count
- 440
- Cultural Origins
- Spanish Italian German English Portuguese
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Rosie
Ro
Pairs Well With
Rosa Maria
Rosa Elena
Rosa Clara
Rosa Luz
Rosa Isabel
Rosa Camille
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Rosa is also used as a boy name, ranked #8836.
View Rosa as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Rosa
What does the name Rosa mean?
"rose" (from Latin). "rose flower" (from Spanish/Italian). Rosa comes directly from the Latin rosa, meaning rose — the beloved flower that has symbolized love, beauty, and purity across Western civilization for millennia. The name was used throughout the Roman Empire, enthusiastically adopted by the Catholic Church (Rosa of Lima was the first canonized saint of the Americas), and spread across Europe and Latin America. Its simplicity and floral beauty have kept it enduringly popular across centuries and cultures.
What is the origin of the name Rosa?
Rosa has Latin, Spanish/Italian, Spanish, Italian, German, English, and Portuguese origins. In Latin, it means "rose". In Spanish/Italian, it means "rose flower".
Is Rosa a boy or girl name?
Rosa is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #662. As a boy name, it is ranked #8836. Rosa is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Rosa?
Rosa is pronounced r-OHZ-uh.
How popular is the name Rosa?
Rosa is currently ranked #662 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Rosa?
Common nicknames for Rosa include Rosie and Ro.
What are good middle names for Rosa?
Popular middle name pairings include Rosa Maria, Rosa Elena, Rosa Clara, Rosa Luz, Rosa Isabel, and Rosa Camille.
What are good sibling names for Rosa?
Names that pair well with Rosa as siblings include Elena, Sofia, Mateo, Diego, Lucia, and Carlos.
How many syllables does Rosa have?
Rosa has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Rosa a common or rare name?
Rosa is moderately common, ranked #662 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
About the Name Rosa
Rosa is a girl name with Spanish, Italian, German, English, and Portuguese origins . The name means "rose" in Latin .
Is Rosa a boy or girl name? Rosa is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #662 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #8,836. Rosa is more commonly used as a girl name.
Rosa is currently ranked #662 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Rosa has 2 syllables and is pronounced r-OHZ-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Rosa include Rosie and Ro. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Rosa include Rose, Rosalie, Rosemary, Rosie, Rosalia . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.