Rosemary
Pronunciation: [ r-OHZM-ehr-ee ]
Does Rosemary flow with your last name?
A fragrant vintage bloom coming back in style
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Rosemary
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Meaning & Origin
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Browse nicknames →Things to Know About This Name
- Associated with Rosemary's Baby (1968 horror film) for some parents
The Story of Rosemary
Rosemary comes from the Latin 'ros marinus,' meaning 'dew of the sea,' a poetic name for the Mediterranean herb that grows near coastal cliffs and mists. The herb Rosmarinus officinalis was treasured in ancient Rome and Greece for its fragrance and medicinal properties. As a given name, Rosemary blends Rose (from Latin 'rosa') and Mary (from Hebrew 'Miriam'), creating a doubly meaningful name that evokes both floral beauty and sacred devotion.
Rosemary was popular in the early-to-mid 20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries during the 1920s–1950s. It declined somewhat in the latter half of the century as simpler names rose to prominence. Today it is experiencing a notable revival as part of the broader trend toward vintage botanical and grandmother names. Parents drawn to Rose but wanting something more distinctive are increasingly choosing Rosemary.
Rosemary has deep symbolic roots: in the language of flowers it represents remembrance, fidelity, and love. It was traditionally used at both weddings (for loyalty) and funerals (for memory). Shakespeare referenced rosemary in Hamlet ('There's rosemary, that's for remembrance'). The herb and name carry strong associations with the Mediterranean coast, cottage gardens, and timeless femininity.
Historical Record
Rosemary first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 68,818 babies have been named Rosemary in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Rosemary is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #302 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Rosemary has been used since ancient times as a memory aid — students in ancient Greece wore rosemary garlands while studying
- Shakespeare's Ophelia declares 'There's rosemary, that's for remembrance' in Hamlet
- The herb was burned at ancient Roman and Greek weddings for good luck and fidelity
- Rosemary Clooney was one of the most famous bearers of this name, a beloved 1950s singer and actress
- The name combines two of the most timeless girls' names — Rose and Mary — making it feel both fresh and familiar
Rosemary in Other Languages
Popularity Over Time
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #302
- Total SSA Count
- 1,037
- Cultural Origins
- English Italian American Australian Irish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Rosemary
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Rosemary is also used as a boy name, ranked #28824.
View Rosemary as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (English)
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Hebrew origin
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Hebrew (Anna element) origin
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Hebrew and Welsh origin
"ewe by the lake, graceful"
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Latin origin
"fleet of ships"
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Germanic origin
"whole, universal"
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Greek origin
"victorious people"
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Gaelic origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Rosemary
What is the origin of the name Rosemary?
Is Rosemary a boy or girl name?
How do you pronounce Rosemary?
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What are common nicknames for Rosemary?
What are good middle names for Rosemary?
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How many syllables does Rosemary have?
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About the Name Rosemary
Rosemary is a girl name with English, Italian, American, Australian, and Irish origins .
Is Rosemary a boy or girl name? Rosemary is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #302 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #28,824. Rosemary is more commonly used as a girl name.
Rosemary is currently ranked #302 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Rosemary has 3 syllables and is pronounced r-OHZM-ehr-ee, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Rosemary include Rosie, Rose, Romy, Ro, and Mary. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Rosemary include Rose, Roselyn, Roselynn, Rosemarie, Rosella . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Baby Name Wizard
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Nursery name sign
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis