The nameRosa

Rosa is a girl's name of Latin origin meaning "rose". Rosa Parks made it a symbol of the fight for civil rights.

Meaning

Rosa is the Latin word for "rose".

Origin

Latin. Saint Rose of Lima, Santa Rosa, was the first saint of the Americas.

History

Rosa Parks, who refused to give up her bus seat in Montgomery in 1955, is a famous bearer. It reached the American top 60 and the top 100 in England and Wales.

Did you know?

Famous people named Rosa

Popularity of the name Rosa

Rosa in the United States

662ndmost popular girls' name in the United States in 2024
1925peak year (2,245 births)
178,136babies named Rosa in the United States since 1880
01,1232,245 18801900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in the United States. Source: Social Security Administration, names given at least 5 times a year.

Rosa was most popular in the United States in the 1920s, with 20,957 births over the decade, 12% of all recorded babies named Rosa. Half of all babies named Rosa in the United States were born before 1947, so it is mostly a grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 457 births a year.

Rosa in the United Kingdom

95thmost popular girls' name in the United Kingdom in 2025
2024peak year (553 births)
7,786babies named Rosa in the United Kingdom since 1997
0277553 200020052010201520202025
Births per year in the United Kingdom. Source: ONS, NRS and NISRA (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland), names given at least 3 times a year.

Rosa was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 3,196 births over the decade, 41% of all recorded babies named Rosa. Half of all babies named Rosa in the United Kingdom were born before 2017, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 489 births a year on average, against 387 in the five years before.

Rosa in France

335thmost popular girls' name in France, latest official figures
1901peak year (470 births)
18,610babies named Rosa in France since 1900
0235470 1900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in France. Source: Insee, French national statistics office, latest official figures. Rounded numbers.

Rosa in Belgium

166thmost popular girls' name in Belgium in 2025
2025peak year (53 births)
580babies named Rosa in Belgium since 1995
02753 1995200020052010201520202025
Births per year in Belgium. Source: Statbel, names given at least 5 times a year.

Rosa in Austria

36thmost popular girls' name in Austria in 2025
2022peak year (213 births)
3,131babies named Rosa in Austria since 1984
0107213 198519901995200020052010201520202025
Births per year in Austria. Source: Statistik Austria (until 2009, Austrian nationals only).

Variants and related names

Sibling names for Rosa

Names from the same generation as Rosa, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.

For a sister

For a brother

How many people are named Rosa? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz

Compare Rosa with another name

Meaning, origin and popularity of Rosa side by side with the name of your choice.

Rosa in our baby name lists

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Rosa mean?

Rosa is the Latin word for "rose".

What is the origin of the name Rosa?

Latin. Saint Rose of Lima, Santa Rosa, was the first saint of the Americas.

Is Rosa a girl's or a boy's name?

Rosa is a girl's name.

How popular is the name Rosa?

In 2024, Rosa was the 662nd most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 440 births.

What are the variants of the name Rosa?

Variants and related names of Rosa include Rosita.

What are good sibling names for Rosa?

Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Marina, Priscilla, Veronica and Araceli for a sister, Julio, Sergio, René and Tony for a brother.

Who are famous people named Rosa?

Rosa Parks, civil rights activist; Rosa Luxemburg, revolutionary; Rosa Bonheur, painter; Saint Rose of Lima.