Rosemary
2025 SSA
Below 5 births
About Rosemary
Despite appearances, Rosemary is not a "smoosh" name, not even a traditional one. The name derives from two Latin terms "Ros" meaning dew and Marinus meaning of the sea. The plant was termed dew of the sea due to its salty texture and its ability to thrive in coastal climes. Only after the Middle Ages did the English names of Rose and Mary become interchanged with the name Rosmarinus and give us the modern name we use today.
In ancient legend, Rosemary was draped around Aphrodite when she rose from the sea. It was regarded then as beneficial in strengthening the memory and became a symbol for faithful lovers. In Hamlet, Ophelia says "There's Rosemary, that's for remembrance; pray, love, remember."
The name was long associated with George Clooney's aunt, the great pop singer Rosemary; less pleasant associations are with the 1967 movie Rosemary's Baby.
A common variation is Rosemarie. Either name can be shortened to the adorable Rosie or the stylish Romy.
Rosemary is also given to boys.
Pronounced ROHZ-mair-ee.
As of October 2026, Rosemary ranked #251 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #74 in 1946, Nameberry popularity #233.
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank · girls | Births · girls | US rank · boys | Births · boys |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | #570 | 536 | — | 0 |
| 2015 | #517 | 607 | — | 0 |
| 2016 | #436 | 740 | — | 0 |
| 2017 | #454 | 698 | — | 0 |
| 2018 | #452 | 699 | — | 0 |
| 2019 | #405 | 770 | — | 0 |
| 2020 | #442 | 698 | — | 0 |
| 2021 | #363 | 846 | — | 0 |
| 2022 | #365 | 871 | — | 0 |
| 2023 | #310 | 995 | — | 0 |
| 2024 | #301 | 1,037 | — | 0 |
| 2025 | #251 | 1,222 | — | 0 |
World rankings
Rosemary for girls
Similar names
These 20 names were selected by our users looking for other names like Rosemary.
Rosemary on lists
Famous Rosemarys
- Rosemary ClooneyGirl
American singer and actress, aunt of actor George Clooney
- Rosemary Friederike Isabella Eleonore Henriette AntoniaGirl
Princess of Salm,Salm; Archduchess Hubert Salvator of Austria
- Rosemary LaPlancheGirl
actress and Miss America 1941
- Rosemary "Rosie" CasalsGirl
American tennis player
- Rosemary Ann HarrisGirl
English actress
- Rose Marie "Rosemary" KennedyGirl
eldest daughter of Joseph P. Kennedy, sister of U.S. President John F. Kennedy
- Rosemary AlteaGirl
English medium, author and TV personality
- Rosemary WellsGirl
Children's book author
- Rosemary SutcliffGirl
English children' novelist
- Rosemary DeCampGirl
American actress
- Rosemary DunsmoreGirl
Canadian actress
- Rosemary MurphyGirl
American actress
- Rosemary Pereira GonçalvesGirl
Brazilian singer
- RosemaryGirl
ring name of Holly Letkeman, Canadian pro wrestler
- (Cecil) Rosemary PrattGirl
Marchioness Camden, first wife of Group Captain Peter Townsend, the one,time fiance of Britain's Princess Margaret
- Rosemary Ounsworth (b. 2008)Girl
daughter of musician Alec Ounsworth of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
- Rosemary Dapkins (b. 2014)Girl
daughter of actress Gaby Hoffman and Chris Dapkins
- Rosemary Keegan Kersey (b. 2018)Girl
daughter of YouTuber Acacia Brinley Kersey and Jairus Kersey
Rosemary in pop culture
- Rosemary WoodhouseGirl
main character in Ira Levin's "Rosemary's Baby" and 1968 film
- Rosemary PilkingtonGirl
character in musical "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying"
- RosemaryGirl
a character in the book/movie "The Giver"
- Rosemary DawkinsGirl
character in the "Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls" series
- Rosemary LewisGirl
intellectual in "Cumberland in The Silken Net" (1974) by Melvyn Bragg
- Rosemary ShanahanGirl
character in movie "Shallow Hal"
- RosemaryGirl
couple name for Rose Lalonde and Kanaya Maryam in webcomic "Homestuck"
- RosemaryGirl
main character in 'We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves' by Karen Joy Fowler
- Rosemary DanielsGirl
character in Australian soap "Neighbours"
- Rosemary Venitia KingGirl
character on British soap "Emmerdale"
- Rosemary TelescoGirl
character in "Little Manhatten"
- "Love Grows Where My Rosemary GoesGirl
" song by Edison Lighthouse
- "LilyGirl
Rosemary, and the Jack of Hearts," song by Bob Dylan
- 'Dear Rosemary'Girl
song by Foo Fighters
- Rosemary WintersGirl
character in the "Resident Evil" video game series
Variations & nicknames
More nicknames
- RosieGirl
- Rose budGirl