Rosemary
ROHZ-me-ree
Rosemary combines 2 of the most enduring names in the English language: Rose and Mary. It also coincides with the aromatic herb rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus), whose name derives from Latin ros marinus meaning “dew of the sea.”
The herbal association adds a powerful botanical dimension.
Rosemary has symbolized remembrance since antiquity - Ophelia’s line in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, “There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance,” reflects a tradition stretching back to ancient Greece, where students wore rosemary garlands during exams.
What the name Rosemary means
In the US, Rosemary peaked at No. 74 in 1946, part of the postwar generation of compound flower names. It then declined steadily through the second half of the 20th century, eventually falling off the top 1,000 by the late 1990s.
The name has experienced a strong revival. In 2024, Rosemary reached No. 301 with 1,037 births for girls, its highest ranking in decades. The climb from No. 517 in 2015 represents a near-doubling in popularity over 9 years.
This resurgence fits a broader trend of vintage names returning to favor.
Rosemary benefits from the standalone popularity of both Rose and Mary, as well as the current appetite for longer, more formal girls’ names that carry built-in nickname options like Rosie.
Notable bearers include singer Rosemary Clooney (1928-2002), the actress and vocalist who was George Clooney’s aunt. The name also features in Ira Levin’s 1967 novel Rosemary’s Baby and its iconic 1968 Roman Polanski film adaptation.
Rosemary’s triple appeal - combining 2 classic names, a beloved herb, and a theme of remembrance - gives it a richness of association that few compound names can match.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Rosemary
Rosemary - similar names
Not seeing what you want? Browse all names by origin or popularity