Roxy

♀ Girl

Pronounced ROK-see /ˈrɒk.si/High

Meaning: Short form of Roxana or Roxanne, from Persian Roshanak or Ruxshana, meaning 'dawn', 'bright', or 'luminous'; also interpreted as 'little star' in some traditionsHigh

In 30 seconds: Roxy is a vivacious short form of Roxana or Roxanne, meaning dawn or bright in Persian. It has a fun, energetic character and became associated with glamour and nightlife through 20th-century pop culture.

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Origin HighPersian, Greek

MeaningShort form of Roxana or Roxanne, from Persian Roshanak or Ruxshana, meaning 'dawn', 'bright', or 'luminous'; also interpreted as 'little star' in some traditions

U.S. rank (2025)#2477 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births72 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2009

Total births (all-time)≈ 3,867

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Roxy is a nickname and short form of Roxana or Roxanne, ultimately from the Persian/Bactrian Roshanak or Ruxshana, meaning 'dawn', 'luminous', or 'little star'. The name entered European consciousness through Roxana, the Bactrian princess who married Alexander the Great in 327 BCE. This historical connection gave the name a romantic and exotic resonance throughout the ancient world and later European literature.

Roxy gained independent cultural standing in the 20th century through the famous Roxy theatres and nightclubs of the 1920s Jazz Age, giving it an association with glamour and entertainment. The musical Chicago features a character named Roxie Hart who dreams of fame, cementing the name's show-business sparkle. The name is also well-known through the British surf and fashion brand Roxy, founded in 1990.

Did you know? The Roxana who inspired the name's Western spread was the Bactrian princess who became the wife of Alexander the Great in 327 BCE — her Persian name Roshanak, meaning 'little star' or 'dawn', entered Greek culture and eventually spread throughout Europe.

Overall data confidence 88%

Behind the Name — Roxana — Persian Roshanak etymology, Alexander the Great connectionOxford Dictionary of First Names — Roxy as independent and short form use

Variations

RoxieRoxanaRoxanneRoksana

Nicknames

Rox

Famous Bearers

★Roxana (c. 340–310 BCE)
Bactrian noblewoman and wife of Alexander the Great whose Persian name Roshanak gave rise to Roxana and its diminutive Roxy.

If you like Roxy…

Roxanne— the full form from which Roxy is a diminutive, same Persian dawn meaning

Roxana

Roxie— alternate spelling of the same short form

Lola— similarly spirited, short, vintage-glamour two-syllable name for girls

Coco

Explore names like Roxy

By themegreek two-syllable vintage persian pop-culture nickname energetic

By meaningLight Star Dawn / Morning

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Roxy mean?

Roxy means dawn or bright, from Persian Roshanak — it is a short form of Roxana or Roxanne.

How do you pronounce Roxy?

It is pronounced ROK-see, with two syllables and stress on the first.

Is Roxy a boy or girl name?

Roxy is almost exclusively used as a girl's name, typically as a nickname or standalone name.

How popular is Roxy?

Roxy is more popular in the UK and Australia than in the U.S. and carries a spirited, fashionable image.