"dawn, bright star"
Origin: Persian
Language: English
Roxanne
Pronunciation: [ r-AHKS-ihn ]
Girl Name
#1,274 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
2 Syllables
From Persian princess to rock anthem — Roxanne burns bright
French
English
American
Persian
Vintage
Bold
Playful
Sophisticated
Meaning & Origin
"luminous, shining"
Origin: Old Persian
Language: English
Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with The Police song 'Roxanne' (1978) — may invite the song being sung at the child
The Story of Roxanne
Roxanne derives from the Persian name 'Roshanak,' meaning 'dawn' or 'bright star,' from 'roshan' (light, bright). It was borne by Roxana, the Bactrian princess who became the wife of Alexander the Great after he conquered Persia. Her name was Hellenized as Roxane, then passed through French (Roxane) into English (Roxanne). The name traveled an extraordinary journey from Persian courts to Greek history to French literature to global pop music.
Roxanne had its heyday in the mid-20th century in English-speaking countries. The Police's 1978 hit 'Roxanne' gave the name an edgy, romantic quality. It fell from fashion by the 1990s but has been experiencing a retro revival in the 2020s, as Gen Z parents embrace vintage names. Arizona Zervas's 2019 hit song 'Roxanne' introduced it to a new generation.
Roxanne is one of literature's great romantic names. Cyrano de Bergerac's beloved Roxane (1897 play) is one of the most famous unrequited loves in theatre. From Persian princess to French stage to rock anthem, Roxanne has accumulated layers of romance, drama, and artistic association that few names can match.
Fun Facts
- Roxana was the wife of Alexander the Great, one of history's most famous couples
- The Police's 'Roxanne' was originally rejected by A&M Records before becoming a hit
- In Baz Luhrmann's Moulin Rouge (2001), Nicole Kidman's character is Satine, but 'El Tango de Roxanne' became one of the film's most famous scenes
Roxanne in Other Languages
Greek
Ρωξάνη
French
Roxane
Italian
Rossana
Persian
روشنک
Spanish
Roxana
Famous People Named Roxanne
R
Roxanne Shante
Musician
1969
American hip-hop pioneer who was one of the first female MCs to make a major commercial impact
R
Roxana (wife of Alexander the Great)
Royalty
Bactrian princess who became the wife of Alexander the Great after his conquest of Persia, circa 327 BCE
R
Roxane (Cyrano de Bergerac) Fictional
Other
The beloved object of Cyrano's secret love in Edmond Rostand's 1897 play Cyrano de Bergerac
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,274
- Total SSA Count
- 182
- Cultural Origins
- French English American Persian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Roxy
Roxie
Pairs Well With
Roxanne Marie
Roxanne Lynn
Roxanne Grace
Roxanne June
Roxanne Claire
Roxanne Elise
Roxanne Noelle
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Roxanne is also used as a boy name, ranked #11273.
View Roxanne as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Roxanne
What does the name Roxanne mean?
"dawn, bright star" (from Persian). "luminous, shining" (from Old Persian). Roxanne derives from the Persian name 'Roshanak,' meaning 'dawn' or 'bright star,' from 'roshan' (light, bright). It was borne by Roxana, the Bactrian princess who became the wife of Alexander the Great after he conquered Persia. Her name was Hellenized as Roxane, then passed through French (Roxane) into English (Roxanne). The name traveled an extraordinary journey from Persian courts to Greek history to French literature to global pop music.
What is the origin of the name Roxanne?
Roxanne has Persian, Old Persian, French, English, and American origins. In Persian, it means "dawn, bright star". In Old Persian, it means "luminous, shining".
Is Roxanne a boy or girl name?
Roxanne is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1274. As a boy name, it is ranked #11273. Roxanne is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Roxanne?
Roxanne is pronounced r-AHKS-ihn.
How popular is the name Roxanne?
Roxanne is currently ranked #1274 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Roxanne?
Common nicknames for Roxanne include Roxy and Roxie.
What are good middle names for Roxanne?
Popular middle name pairings include Roxanne Marie, Roxanne Lynn, Roxanne Grace, Roxanne June, Roxanne Claire, Roxanne Elise, and Roxanne Noelle.
What are good sibling names for Roxanne?
Names that pair well with Roxanne as siblings include Celeste, Vivienne, Margot, Hugo, Felix, Jasper, and Cleo.
How many syllables does Roxanne have?
Roxanne has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Roxanne a common or rare name?
Roxanne is an uncommon name, ranked #1274 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Roxanne
Roxanne is a girl name with French, English, American, and Persian origins . The name means "dawn, bright star" in Persian .
Is Roxanne a boy or girl name? Roxanne is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,274 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #11,273. Roxanne is more commonly used as a girl name.
Roxanne is currently ranked #1,274 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Roxanne has 2 syllables and is pronounced r-AHKS-ihn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Roxanne include Roxy and Roxie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Roxanne include Roxana, Roxanna . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.