Girl · 102nd of 9,204
Rosemary
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
162,280
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1947
Peak Popularity Year
4,542
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Rosemary stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Rosemary originates from Latin, meaning 'dew of the sea'. It evolved from Rosmarinus in Latin to Rosemary in Middle English. The name is associated with the herb, which symbolizes remembrance. It has no significant biblical relevance and gained popularity during the Middle Ages. Common variants include Rosie and Rose, and it is perceived today as an elegant and classic name.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈroʊzˌmɛri/
Origin
Latin
Etymology
The name Rosemary is derived from the Latin words 'ros' meaning 'dew' and 'marinus' meaning 'sea', which together translate to 'dew of the sea'.
Meaning
dew of the sea
Language Evolution
Rosmarinus (Latin), Rosemary (Old French), Rosemary (Middle English)
Historical Usage
Rosemary has been used as a name since the Middle Ages, particularly in Europe, where it was associated with the herb of the same name, often symbolizing remembrance.
Variants & Derivatives
Rosie, Rose, Mary
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Rosemary is often considered a classic and elegant name, associated with the fragrant herb and its culinary uses. It retains a traditional charm while being less common than more popular names.
Famous People
Rosemary Clooney, Rosemary Kennedy, Rosemary Harris
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Rising
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 4,542 peak births in 1947
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in New York
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 3 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 12 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 4965th of 7545 | 33 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2541st of 6773 | 165 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 3577th of 7552 | 95 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 6193rd of 10718 | 39 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 10839th of 16616 | 26 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 153rd of 9107 | 27,559 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 102nd of 9204 | 48,702 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 145th of 12526 | 51,171 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 346th of 19264 | 11,381 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 506th of 27321 | 7,354 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 687th of 35406 | 6,382 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 423rd of 30306 | 9,060 |