
The short answer
Rose was originally a Norman French form of the Germanic name Hrodohaidis, meaning "famous type," from hruod "fame" and heit "kind, sort, type." The Normans introduced it to England as Roese and Rohese. Behind the Name notes that from an early date it was associated with the fragrant flower rose (from Latin rosa), and when the name was revived in the 19th century it was probably with the flower in mind. It is pronounced ROHZ. In the United States it ranked #114 for girls in 2025.
Meaning and etymology
Behind the Name traces Rose to a Norman French form of the Germanic Hrodohaidis, "famous type," composed of hruod "fame" and heit "kind, sort, type." The Normans brought it to England as Roese and Rohese. From an early date the name became associated with the word for the flower rose, itself from Latin rosa, and Behind the Name notes that its 19th-century revival was probably driven by the flower association rather than the older Germanic meaning.
Editorial confidence: established
Linguistic roots
| Language | Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Germanic | hruod + heit | fame + kind, sort, type |
Competing or overlapping origins
- Rose is now popularly understood as a flower name (Latin rosa), an association Behind the Name says arose early and likely drove the name's 19th-century revival, even though its documented origin is the Germanic Hrodohaidis.
Popularity
Rose ranked #114 for girls in the United States in 2025 (Social Security Administration).
| Region | Year | Rank | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2025 | #114 | ssa-2025 |
Nicknames, variants, and related names
Nicknames: Rosie, Rosy
Related names: Rosalind, Rosalie, Rosalia
What the name feels like
Rose reads as short, simple and floral, equally at home as a stand-alone name or a middle name, and it carries a soft vintage-cottage warmth thanks to its long-standing flower association.
Style tags: flower name, short, vintage, one syllable
Editorial interpretation: This style read is editorial opinion, not a documented fact from Behind the Name or the SSA data.
If you like this name
Other flower names and names sharing Rose's short, vintage-revival sound.
Similar by meaning
Similar by sound
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Rose mean?
Rose's documented origin is the Germanic Hrodohaidis, meaning "famous type." It became linked early on with the flower rose (from Latin rosa), and that flower association is now the meaning most people know it by.
Is Rose a popular name?
Yes. Rose ranked #114 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.
What are nicknames for Rose?
Behind the Name lists Rosie and Rosy as the standard English diminutives.
Sources
- Behind the Name: Meaning, origin and history of the name Rose — supports etymology, pronunciation, history, nicknames, variants.
- U.S. Social Security Administration: Popular Baby Names — national data, year of birth 2025 — supports popularity.