"bright star"
Origin: Persian
Language: Persian
Roxanna
Pronunciation: [ r-ahks-AN-uh ]
Girl Name
#3,311 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
3 Syllables
A luminous Persian name borne by a queen
Persian
English
Spanish
Eastern European
Classic
Bold
Vintage
Elegant
Strong
Meaning & Origin
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.
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
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)
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
Pairs Well With
Roxanna Marie
Roxanna Lynn
Roxanna Grace
Roxanna Jane
Roxanna Claire
Roxanna Louise
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Roxanna is also used as a boy name, ranked #16231.
View Roxanna as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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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.
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.