Find out how popular the first name Primrose has been for the last 43 years (from 1982 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Primrose by gender

Based on the last 43 years of data, Primrose is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 91 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Primrose.

The history of the first name Primrose

The name Primrose has its origins in the English language, derived from the name of the primrose flower. This flower was known as the "prime rose" or "first rose" in Middle English, as it bloomed early in the spring.

The primrose flower has been celebrated in literature and art for centuries, with its delicate yellow petals and poetic associations with the arrival of spring. Geoffrey Chaucer, the renowned English poet of the 14th century, mentioned the primrose in his works, including the Canterbury Tales.

One of the earliest recorded uses of Primrose as a given name dates back to the 16th century. It was first used as a surname, referring to someone who lived near a field of primroses or had a personal connection to the flower.

In the 17th century, the name gained popularity as a feminine given name, particularly among the English aristocracy and gentry. Primrose Garth (1638-1701) was an English poet and writer who was one of the earliest notable bearers of the name.

Another famous Primrose in history was Primrose Townsend (1796-1856), an English novelist and travel writer. Her works, such as "The Diary of a Governess," provided insights into the lives of women in the 19th century.

In the 20th century, Primrose Saxe-Coburg-Gotha (1915-2005), a granddaughter of Queen Victoria, carried the name with royal connections. She was a member of the British royal family and a second cousin to Queen Elizabeth II.

More recently, Primrose Armour (1916-2006) was an Australian children's author and illustrator, known for her whimsical and imaginative stories such as "The Bantam Books of Nonsense Verse" and "The Butter Fun Book."

While the name Primrose has fallen out of fashion in recent decades, it remains a charming and poetic choice, evoking the delicate beauty of the springtime flower and its rich literary and historical associations.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Primrose was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Primrose, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!