Roselle
A French name meaning "little rose."
Name Census estimates that about 919 living Americans carry the first name Roselle. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Roselle today is around 49 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Roselle births was 1919 (52 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Roselle. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
919
~ 1 in 372,964 Americans
Peak year
1919
52 babies that year
Average age
49
years old
2024 SSA rank
#7,501
Tracked since 1894
Popularity
Roselle: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Roselle from the 1890s through to the 2020s, spanning 14 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1920s, with 353 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1920s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Roselle by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Roselle during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Roselles live
The SSA's state-level files cover 10 states and territories. New York, Illinois, California recorded the most babies named Roselle, while New Jersey, North Carolina, Missouri recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 28 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Roselle
The name Roselle has its origins in the French language and is derived from the French word "roselle," which refers to a species of hibiscus plant known for its edible red calyces. The name is believed to have emerged during the late Middle Ages or the Renaissance period in France.
Historically, the name Roselle was likely used as a reference to the plant itself or as a descriptive name for individuals who cultivated or were associated with the roselle plant. The roselle plant was valued for its culinary and medicinal properties, and its vibrant red color made it a distinctive and appealing choice for a name.
While there are no known references to the name Roselle in ancient texts or religious scriptures, it is possible that the name was used informally or locally during earlier periods before gaining wider recognition and documentation.
One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Roselle can be found in the 16th century. Roselle de Bèze (1503-1598) was a French Protestant theologian and scholar who played a significant role in the Reformation movement. She was a close associate of John Calvin and contributed to the translation of the Bible into French.
Another notable figure with the name Roselle was Roselle Mercier (1824-1909), a French novelist and playwright. She was known for her works that explored societal issues and the lives of working-class women.
In the 19th century, Roselle Prue (1845-1923) was an American educator and activist who advocated for the rights of Native Americans. She dedicated her life to establishing schools and promoting education among Native American communities.
Roselle Hirshhorn (1897-1966) was an American philanthropist and art collector. She and her husband Joseph Hirshhorn amassed an impressive collection of modern art, which they later donated to the Smithsonian Institution, forming the basis of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, D.C.
Roselle Sinclair (1924-2008) was a Canadian actress known for her work in both film and television. She had a successful career spanning over six decades, appearing in numerous productions and earning recognition for her talent and versatility.
It is worth noting that while the name Roselle has historical roots and examples throughout various periods, its usage as a given name has been relatively uncommon compared to other names. However, its unique botanical connection and melodic sound have contributed to its enduring appeal and occasional appearances over the centuries.
People
Roselle + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Roselle as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with R
Other first names starting with R with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Roselle: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Roselle?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 919 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Roselle going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 372,964 US residents.
Is Roselle a common name?
We classify Roselle as "Very Rare". It ranks above 89.6% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 2,080 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Roselle most popular?
The single biggest year for Roselle was 1919, when 52 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Roselle is about 49 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Roselle a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Roselle in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.