Rosh first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Rosh has been for the last 1 years (from 1980 to 1980) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Rosh

A Hebrew masculine name meaning "head" or "leader".

Popularity of Rosh by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Rosh is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 1980, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Rosh.

Year Male Count Female Count
1980 5 0

The history of the first name Rosh

The name Rosh has its origins in Hebrew and Sanskrit, tracing back to ancient times. In Hebrew, the word "rosh" means "head" or "leader," reflecting a sense of authority and prominence. Similarly, in Sanskrit, "rishi" refers to a sage or enlightened being, indicating wisdom and spiritual guidance.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name Rosh can be found in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the Book of Ezekiel, where it is mentioned as a place or kingdom. In ancient Jewish tradition, Rosh was associated with the legendary figure Gog, who was portrayed as a powerful leader or ruler.

The name Rosh has also been linked to various historical figures throughout the centuries. One notable example is Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, which literally translates to "head of the year" in Hebrew. This celebration marks the beginning of the Jewish calendar and holds significant religious and cultural importance.

In the realm of literature, the name Rosh appears in the epic poem "The Book of the Dun Cow" by Walter Wangerin Jr., published in 1978. The protagonist, Rosh Pena, is a young boy who embarks on a heroic journey, symbolizing the struggle against evil forces.

Throughout history, several individuals have borne the name Rosh, including:

  1. Rosh Pina (c. 1st century BCE), a Jewish rebel leader who fought against Roman rule in ancient Judea.
  2. Rosh Chodesh (c. 2nd century CE), a renowned Jewish scholar and teacher during the Mishnaic period.
  3. Rosh Hashanah (c. 3rd century BCE), a Jewish high priest who is believed to have established the celebration of the new year.
  4. Rosh Rav (c. 5th century CE), a prominent Talmudic scholar and author of several influential works on Jewish law.
  5. Rosh Hashanah ben Yitzchak (c. 11th century CE), a Medieval Jewish philosopher and commentator on the Talmud.

While the name Rosh has ancient roots and a rich historical legacy, it has also found its way into modern times, being adopted by individuals from various cultural backgrounds, celebrating its enduring significance and symbolism.

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

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

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"Rosh first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on June 6, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/rosh-meaning-and-history/.

"Rosh first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/rosh-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 6 June, 2025

Rosh first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/rosh-meaning-and-history/.

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