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Rosemary

♀ Girl

Pronounced ROHZ-mair-ee /ˈroʊz.mɛr.i/High

Meaning: Dew of the sea; from the Latin ros marinusHigh

In 30 seconds: A fragrant blend of rose and Mary, Rosemary means 'dew of the sea' in Latin and carries centuries of herbal, floral, and spiritual meaning. Warm, sensory, and sweetly old-fashioned — it is primed for revival.
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Origin HighLatin, English
MeaningDew of the sea; from the Latin ros marinus
U.S. rank (2025)#251 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births1,222 girls (0.07% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1947
Total births (all-time)≈ 163,144

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 194718822025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Rosemary as a given name is both a botanical name (from the herb Rosmarinus officinalis, derived from the Latin ros marinus, 'dew of the sea') and a combination of the names Rose and Mary. The two strands reinforced each other: the herb was associated with the Virgin Mary, who reportedly spread her blue cloak over the rosemary bush, turning its flowers blue.

Rosemary was widely used in the English-speaking world in the early 20th century, peaking in the 1950s. It then fell from fashion but has emerged as one of the most appealing vintage-botanical revivals of the 2020s, alongside Violet, Iris, and Hazel.

Did you know? The herb rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) has been a symbol of remembrance for centuries — Shakespeare wrote in Hamlet: 'There's rosemary, that's for remembrance.' It was carried at both weddings and funerals.
Overall data confidence 93%
Behind the Name — Rosemary — etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

RosemarieRose MaryRosamar

Nicknames

RosieRomyRoseMary

Famous Bearers

  • ★Rosemary Clooney (1928–2002)
    American actress and singer, known for White Christmas and her decades-long recording career.

If you like Rosemary…

Violet— vintage botanical name in the same fragrant revival category
Iris— classical flower name with the same timeless botanical elegance
Hazel— vintage English nature name in the same 1920s-revival sweet spot
Marigold— bold floral name with the same vintage warmth and botanical character

Frequently Asked

What does the name Rosemary mean?

Rosemary takes its meaning from the herb, from the Latin ros marinus meaning 'dew of the sea.' It also blends the names Rose and Mary.

How do you pronounce Rosemary?

Rosemary is pronounced ROHZ-mair-ee /ˈroʊz.mɛr.i/ — 3 syllables.

Is Rosemary a boy or girl name?

Rosemary is used almost exclusively as a girls' name.

How popular is Rosemary?

Rosemary has been reviving in the U.S. and ranked in the top 400 for girls in the mid-2020s.