Roshana
A feminine name of Persian origin meaning "light" or "bright".
Name Census estimates that about 117 living Americans carry the first name Roshana. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Roshana today is around 42 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Roshana births was 1978 (10 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Roshana. 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
117
~ 1 in 2,929,524 Americans
Peak year
1978
10 babies that year
Average age
42
years old
2000 SSA rank
#12,852
Tracked since 1975
Popularity
Roshana: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Roshana from the 1970s through to the 2000s, spanning 4 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1980s, with 52 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1980s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Roshana 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 Roshana during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Roshanas live
Origin
Meaning and history of Roshana
The name Roshana has its origins in the Persian language, tracing back to ancient Persia, now known as Iran. It is derived from the Persian word "roshan," which means "light" or "bright." The name carries a connotation of radiance, luminosity, and enlightenment.
In the early centuries of the Islamic era, the name Roshana gained popularity among Persian-speaking communities. It was often given to girls as a symbol of hope, purity, and guidance. The name's association with light and brightness aligned with the spiritual and philosophical teachings of the time.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Roshana can be found in the epic poem "Shahnameh" (The Book of Kings), written by the renowned Persian poet Ferdowsi in the late 10th and early 11th centuries. The poem contains references to a character named Roshana, who was depicted as a wise and virtuous woman.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Roshana. One such individual was Roshana Aryan (1958-2008), an Afghan singer and musician who gained international recognition for her contributions to the preservation of traditional Afghan music. She was a prominent cultural figure and advocated for women's rights in her country.
Another prominent Roshana was Roshana Javed (born 1957), a Pakistani writer and poet. She has authored numerous books and has been recognized for her literary contributions, including the prestigious Pride of Performance award from the Pakistani government.
In the field of politics, Roshana Sillu (born 1965) is a notable figure from Fiji. She served as a member of the Fiji Parliament and was actively involved in advocating for women's rights and gender equality in her country.
Roshana Rasool (born 1984) is an Indian actress and model who has appeared in various Bollywood films and television shows. Her on-screen presence and acting talents have earned her recognition in the Indian entertainment industry.
Roshana Salvatus (born 1985) is a former Indonesian badminton player who has represented her country in international competitions. She has won several medals at the Southeast Asian Games and achieved notable rankings in the sport.
While the name Roshana has its roots in the Persian language, it has transcended cultural boundaries and gained popularity in various parts of the world, particularly in regions with historical Persian or Islamic influences. The name's association with light, brightness, and enlightenment has made it a cherished choice for parents seeking a name with profound meaning and cultural significance.
People
Roshana + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Roshana 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
Roshana: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Roshana?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 117 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Roshana 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 2,929,524 US residents.
Is Roshana a common name?
We classify Roshana as "Very Rare". It ranks above 66.8% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 125 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Roshana most popular?
The single biggest year for Roshana was 1978, when 10 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Roshana is about 42 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Roshana a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Roshana 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.