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Home › Baby Names Directory › Roxana

Roxana

♀ Girl

Pronounced rahk-SAN-uh /ɹɑk.ˈsæn.ə/Medium

Meaning: Bright, shiningMedium

In 30 seconds: Roxana means 'bright' or 'shining' and comes down to English through Persian roots.
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Origin MediumEnglish, Spanish, Romanian
MeaningBright, shining
U.S. rank (2025)#2366 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births77 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1991
Total births (all-time)≈ 11,993

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199118822025

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

The name carries the sense of 'bright, shining' and is best known historically as the name of the wife of Alexander the Great. It has spread into many languages, with English keeping the form Roxana alongside relatives like Roxane and Roxanne. The bright meaning has helped it endure across centuries and cultures.

Its rolling three syllables give it a confident, elegant sound. The Romanian-French swimmer and former minister Roxana Maracineanu is one accomplished bearer.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Roxana is 'bright, shining', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.
Overall data confidence 78%
Behind the Name - Roxana — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

RoxaneRoxannaRoxanneRexanaRexanne

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

  • ★Roxana Maracineanu (1975–present)
    Romanian-French former world champion swimmer and Olympic medalist who served as France's Minister of Sports.
  • ★Roxana Cocoș (1989–present)
    Romanian weightlifter who competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics.

If you like Roxana…

Roxanne— A common English variant of Roxana.
Savanna— a fellow Spanish choice
Montana— lands in the same popularity range
Lorena— a similarly popular pick
Cristina— echoes that soft -na sound

Explore names like Roxana

By themeenglishspanish
By meaningLight

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Roxana mean?

Roxana is usually explained as meaning 'bright, shining' and is most often linked with English tradition.

How do you pronounce Roxana?

It's commonly said rahk-SAN-uh /ɹɑk.ˈsæn.ə/.

Is Roxana a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Roxana is used as a girl name.

How popular is Roxana?

In 2024, Roxana ranked #2091 in the U.S. for girls, with 92 births recorded.

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