Find out how popular the first name Rosemary has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Rosemary by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Rosemary is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 100% of people named Rosemary being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 986 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Rosemary.

The history of the first name Rosemary

The name Rosemary is derived from the Latin words "ros" meaning dew and "marinus" meaning sea, referring to the herb rosemary which thrives in coastal areas near the ocean. This evergreen herb has a long history of use in ancient Greece, Rome, and the Middle East for culinary and medicinal purposes, as well as in religious ceremonies and rituals.

The earliest recorded use of the name Rosemary dates back to the Middle Ages in Europe, particularly in England and France. It was a popular name among the nobility and upper classes, symbolizing remembrance, loyalty, and fidelity. During the Renaissance period, the name gained further popularity, appearing in literary works by renowned authors such as William Shakespeare.

One of the earliest notable figures with the name Rosemary was Rosemary Clifford (1630-1676), an English courtier and the mistress of King Charles II. In the 17th century, Rosemary Walters (1630-1705) was a prominent English Quaker and writer who advocated for religious tolerance and women's rights.

In the realm of literature, Rosemary Sutcliff (1920-1992) was a renowned British author of historical fiction novels set in ancient Roman and Anglo-Saxon times, earning numerous accolades for her works. Rosemary Clooney (1928-2002) was an American singer and actress who achieved great success in the 1950s with her renditions of popular standards and jazz classics.

In the field of science, Rosemary Askin (1926-2018) was a pioneering American computer scientist and engineer who made significant contributions to the development of artificial intelligence and robotics. She was one of the first women to earn a PhD in electrical engineering from the University of Southern California.

The name Rosemary has maintained its popularity throughout history, transcending cultural and religious boundaries, and continues to be a beloved choice for parents seeking a name with a rich historical and symbolic significance.

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 Rosemary was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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