The story behind Rosemary
A combination of Rose + Mary, referring to the flower as a symbol of Virgin Mary, first recorded in the eighteenth century. It is found in continental Europe as Rosemarie and Rosa Maria. After mid-nineteenth century when flower names became common it may also refer to the herb rosemary, Latin ros marinus "dew of the sea".
Other language forms and explanations (1)
Tagalog entry
Borrowed from English Rosemary.
Pronunciation
General-American: /ˈɹoʊzˌmɛəɹi/
Regional pronunciation variants
- Received-Pronunciation: /ˈɹəʊzməɹi/
- Received-Pronunciation: /ˈɹəʊzˌmɛːɹi/
- General-American: /ˈɹoʊzməɹi/
- Tagalog; Standard-Tagalog: /ˌɾowsˈmeɾi/
- Tagalog; Standard-Tagalog: [ˌɾoʊ̯sˈmɛː.ɾɪ]
Popularity
Rosemary ranked #251 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Rosemary
Anastazy
Learned borrowing from Latin Anastasius.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 4 syllables
- Ending
- ends Y
- same syllable count
- similar length
Bonifacy
Learned borrowing from Late Latin Bonifātius, from Latin bonus + fātum.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 4 syllables
- Ending
- ends Y
- same syllable count
- similar length
Felicity
From the noun felicity, and also the English form of Latin Felicitas, a name borne by early martyrs. Borrowed from English Felicity.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 4 syllables
- Ending
- ends Y
- same syllable count
- similar length
Reality
From reality.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 4 syllables
- Ending
- ends Y
- similar length
- same starting sound
Rosalia
Learned borrowing from Latin Rosālia. Doublet of Rosalie.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 4 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Rosalía
a female given name from Latin, equivalent to English Rosalie
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 4 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Rosemary
Aaron
From Latin Aaron, from Ancient Greek Ἀαρών (Aarṓn), from Hebrew אַהֲרֹן (ʾAhărōn), of unknown meaning, possibly meaning “bearer of martyrs”, or perhaps also, or instead,…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Aarón
a male given name from Latin [in turn from Ancient Greek, in turn from Hebrew], equivalent to English Aaron
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Abby
Borrowed from English Abby in the 20th century. Borrowed from English Abby.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Y
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Rosemary
Abdiasz
Learned borrowing from Latin Abdias, from Ancient Greek Ἀβδίας (Abdías), from Hebrew עובדיה.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Z
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Abigail
From Hebrew אֲבִיגַיִל (avigáyil, “Abigail”, literally “my Father's joy” or “fountain of joy”). a female given name from Hebrew, equivalent to English Abigail Borrowed from…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends L
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Abílio
Perhaps from Latin abilius (“not vindictive”). Possibly related to Abelardo.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends O
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length