"bright star"
Origin: Persian
Language: Persian
Roxanna
Pronunciation: [ r-ahks-AN-uh ]
Does Roxanna flow with your last name?
A luminous Persian name borne by a queen
Persian
English
Spanish
Eastern European
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Things to Know About This Name
- Associated with the Police song Roxanne about a sex worker (1978)
The Story of Roxanna
Roxanna derives from the ancient Persian name Roshanak, meaning bright or luminous — likely referring to dawn or a bright star. The name entered Western consciousness through Roxana (327 BC), the Bactrian princess who became the wife of Alexander the Great. This historical connection gave the name an exotic, romantic reputation throughout European history.
Roxanna/Roxanne appeared in popular culture through Edmond Rostand's 1897 play Cyrano de Bergerac and was further cemented by The Police's 1978 hit song Roxanne. The 2001 film Moulin Rouge also featured the song prominently.
In Persian culture, the name Roshanak symbolizes radiant beauty and light. As Roxana, the wife of Alexander the Great, the name carries an association with powerful women who bridged Eastern and Western worlds.
Historical Record
Roxanna first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 11,757 babies have been named Roxanna in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Roxanna is past its peak , currently ranked #3,311 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Roxana was the first wife of Alexander the Great, born around 340 BC in Bactria (modern Afghanistan)
- The Police's 1978 song Roxanne reached #12 on the UK charts and became one of their signature songs
Roxanna in Other Languages
Arabic
روكسانا
French
Roxane
Persian
رخسانه
Russian
Роксана
Spanish
Roxana
Popularity Over Time
#3,311
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1954
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Roxanna
R
Roxana of Bactria
Royalty
Bactrian princess and wife of Alexander the Great, born circa 340 BC
R
Roxane Fictional
Other
The beloved heroine in Edmond Rostand's classic play Cyrano de Bergerac (1897)
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Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #3,311
- Total SSA Count
- 48
- Cultural Origins
- Persian English Spanish Eastern European
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Roxy
Roxie
Rox
Anna
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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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, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Roxanna
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Roxanna is also used as a boy name, ranked #16231.
View Roxanna as a boy name →Similar Names
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Old English leah origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Roxanna
What does the name Roxanna mean?
"bright star" (from Persian). Roxanna derives from the ancient Persian name Roshanak, meaning bright or luminous — likely referring to dawn or a bright star. The name entered Western consciousness through Roxana (327 BC), the Bactrian princess who became the wife of Alexander the Great. This historical connection gave the name an exotic, romantic reputation throughout European history.
What is the origin of the name Roxanna?
Roxanna has Persian, English, Spanish, and Eastern European origins. In Persian, it means "bright star".
Is Roxanna a boy or girl name?
Roxanna is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #3311. As a boy name, it is ranked #16231. Roxanna is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Roxanna?
Roxanna is pronounced r-ahks-AN-uh.
How popular is the name Roxanna?
Roxanna is currently ranked #3311 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Roxanna?
Common nicknames for Roxanna include Roxy, Roxie, Rox, and Anna.
What are good middle names for Roxanna?
Popular middle name pairings include Roxanna Marie, Roxanna Lynn, Roxanna Grace, Roxanna Jane, Roxanna Claire, and Roxanna Louise.
What are good sibling names for Roxanna?
Names that pair well with Roxanna as siblings include Maximus, Julian, Cassandra, Valentina, Sebastian, and Aurelia.
How many syllables does Roxanna have?
Roxanna has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Roxanna a common or rare name?
Roxanna is an uncommon name, ranked #3311 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Roxanna?
About the Name Roxanna
Roxanna is a girl name with Persian, English, Spanish, and Eastern European origins . The name means "bright star" in Persian .
Is Roxanna a boy or girl name? Roxanna is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #3,311 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #16,231. Roxanna is more commonly used as a girl name.
Roxanna is currently ranked #3,311 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Roxanna has 3 syllables and is pronounced r-ahks-AN-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Roxanna include Roxy, Roxie, Rox, and Anna. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Roxanna include Roxanne, Roxana . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis