NomOrigine Background

Origin and meaning of the name Rosa

What is the origin of the name Rosa?

The name Rosa has Latin origins and is derived from the Latin word 'rosa,' meaning rose. It is a unisex name but is more commonly used for females. The name Rosa has been popular since ancient times, as the rose flower has symbolic significance in many cultures, including Roman mythology, Christianity, and Victorian England. In Roman mythology, Rosalia, the goddess of roses, was associated with the underworld. In Christian tradition, the Virgin Mary is sometimes depicted holding a rose, symbolizing her purity and grace. In Victorian England, different colors of roses were given specific meanings, such as red for love and passion or yellow for friendship and joy.

Learn more about the origin of the name Rosa

The meaning, etymology, and origin of the name Rosa

The name Rosa is derived from the Latin word 'rosa,' which means "rose" – a popular flower known for its beauty and fragrance. As a given name, it has been used since the Middle Ages, often bestowed upon girls born in spring to symbolize rebirth and renewal, or as a tribute to the rose flower itself. The name Rosa is also associated with the Virgin Mary, who is sometimes depicted holding a rose or wearing one on her mantle. The name has been popular worldwide due to its connection to nature and its delicate, feminine connotations. Variations of the name include Rosalind, Rosemary, and Roseanne.

Character traits associated with the name Rosa

Rosa is often associated with qualities such as resilience, strength, and determination. Named after the rose flower, which symbolizes love and passion, Rosas are known for their ability to bloom under various conditions, mirroring their tenacity in overcoming challenges. They tend to be nurturing, caring, and empathetic individuals who value family and friends highly. Rosa personality traits also encompass creativity, as they are often drawn to artistic pursuits or careers involving the arts. Additionally, Rosas demonstrate a strong sense of loyalty, making them reliable and trustworthy confidants. They can also be fiercely independent, standing up for their beliefs and values in all aspects of life. Rosa is a name that symbolizes both beauty and strength, reflecting the enduring spirit of those who bear it.

Popularity of the name Rosa

The name Rosa is widely recognized and popular across various countries due to its association with the beautiful rose flower. In the United States, according to data from the Social Security Administration, Rosa has been consistently ranked among the top 1000 baby girl names since the mid-20th century. Its peak popularity was in the early 1950s, where it ranked within the top 100 names. Globally, Rosa is also a common name, particularly in Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries, reflecting its roots in the Latin language. In some of these regions, such as Spain and Portugal, it has been a consistently popular choice for girls. The name Rosa represents femininity, beauty, and strength, making it an enduring favorite among parents worldwide.

Famous people with the name Rosa

Rosa Parks (1913-2005), an African American civil rights activist, is perhaps the most recognized individual named Rosa. Known as the "Mother of the Freedom Movement," she famously refused to give up her bus seat to a white passenger in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1955, which led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Her actions played a pivotal role in ending segregation on public buses and sparked the U.S. Civil Rights Movement. Rosa Parks was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal for her courageous stand against racial inequality.

Another notable figure is Rosa Luxemburg (1871-1919), a Marxist theoretician and revolutionary socialist, who played a significant role in the labor movement and the formation of communist parties in Germany and Poland during the early 20th century. Her ideas on anti-imperialism, economic determinism, and revolutionary socialism have greatly influenced modern socialist thought worldwide.

Lastly, Rosa Chávez (1953-present), a Mexican American artist and activist, is known for her work in promoting LGBTQ+ rights and feminist causes. She co-founded the National Women's Political Caucus of Texas and served as the executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Her art, which explores themes of identity, sexuality, and power, has been exhibited internationally.

Variations of the name Rosa

Rosa is a popular female given name of Latin origin, meaning "rose". It has various spellings and variations across different languages and cultures. Here are some common variations:

1. Rosetta (Italian)
2. Rosalina (Spanish, Italian)
3. Rosemary (English)
4. Rosaura (Spanish)
5. Roselena (Spanish)
6. Rosamond (English)
7. Rosalia (Italian, Spanish)
8. Rosalee (French, English)
9. Rosanna (Italian, German)
10. Roseanne (English)
11. Rosetta (Greek)
12. Roza (Russian, Polish)
13. Rosa (Dutch, Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, Portuguese, Catalan, Romanian)
14. Rosie (Diminutive of Rosa or Rose in English and Scottish)
15. Rhoda (Greek origin but commonly used as a variation in some English-speaking countries)

These variations offer a range of options for individuals seeking a name similar to Rosa, each with its unique charm and cultural significance.

Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 29 July 2025

Share the origin and meaning of your name with your friends

Search the origin of a first name

Enter the first name you are looking for below:

Similar First Names

Ros han (First name)

forenames > ros-han

The name Ros Han is of Korean origin.

Rosa alain (First name)

forenames > rosa-alain

The name "Rosa" has Latin origins, derived from the word "rosa" meaning "rose." The name "Alain" is of French origin, derived from the Latin name "Alanus" which means "little rock"...

Rosa lined (First name)

forenames > rosa-lined

The first name Rosa Lined does not have a known origin or meaning. It appears to be a unique or made-up name.

Rosa-garcia-duarte (First name)

forenames > rosa-garcia-duarte

The first name Rosa is of Latin origin, derived from the Latin word "rosa" meaning rose. It has been a popular given name for centuries, especially in countries where the Latin lan...

Rosa-may (First name)

forenames > rosa-may

The origin of the first name Rosa May is English. The name Rosa is a Latin name meaning "rose," and May is a month name of English origin.

Rosael (First name)

forenames > rosael

The first name "Rosael" is a combination of the names "Rose" and "Israel". It likely has Latin or Spanish origins.

Rosahn (First name)

forenames > rosahn

The name "Rosahn" is of Indian origin.

Rosalie (First name)

forenames > rosalie

The name "Rosalie" has its origin in multiple sources. It is derived from the Latin name "Rosalia," which means "rose" or "flower." This Latin name was derived from the Latin word ...

Rosalie june (First name)

forenames > rosalie-june

The name Rosalie is of French origin, derived from the Latin name Rosalia, which means "rose blossom." The name June is of English origin, derived from the name of the month in the...

Rosalina (First name)

forenames > rosalina

The given name Rosalina originates from the Latin language and is a variant of the name Rosa, which means "rose" in English. It is derived from the name of the flower rose, symboli...

Rosaline (First name)

forenames > rosaline

Rosaline is an Old French feminine given name derived from the Germanic name Rosalind, which means "pretty rose" or "rose petal." The name consists of the elements "rosa," meaning ...

Rosana-rosa (First name)

forenames > rosana-rosa

The name Rosana-Rosa is a combination of two names: Rosana and Rosa. 1. Rosana: Originates from the Portuguese language, where it means "little rose." It is also used in Spanish-s...

Rosangela (First name)

forenames > rosangela

The name Rosangela is a Portuguese variant of the Spanish name Rosalinda and the Italian name Rosa Angela. It combines the elements "Rosa" meaning rose, derived from Latin, and "An...

Rosaria (First name)

forenames > rosaria

The given name Rosaria is derived from the Latin word "Rosarium," which means "rose garden" or "rosary." This name has been used since the Middle Ages and gained popularity due to ...

Rosarie (First name)

forenames > rosarie

The name Rosarie is of Latin origin, derived from the Latin word "rosarium" which means "rose garden" or "garland of roses". It is also associated with the Catholic devotion of the...