Girl name · Latin
Rosemary
“dew of the sea; later read as rose of Mary”
Vibes
Common nicknames
Short-forms and diminutives parents often use for Rosemary.
Explore Rosemary further
Similar-feel alternatives, or middle-name candidates that pair well with Rosemary — both ranked by the same scoring system (vibe overlap, syllable rhythm, origin compatibility).
About the name
Rosemary is the herb before it is the name, and the herb is Latin ros marinus, dew of the sea — nothing to do with roses or with Mary. The rose-of-Mary reading is a later folk etymology that stuck so completely it is now how almost everyone hears the word.
The herb has meant remembrance since antiquity, which gives the name a quiet memorial sense. It was a US top-100 name in the 1940s, fell away after the 1968 film, and has been recovering slowly since the 2010s.
Romy is the short form doing the most work right now. Three syllables want one or two (Rosemary Wren, Rosemary Alice). On our vibe map it is Vintage Elegant with Nature-Inspired close behind.
More Latin names
Rosemary sits in our Latin set — these share its roots.
All Latin names →Rosemary — common questions
Is Rosemary a boy or girl name?
Rosemary is traditionally a girl name of Latin origin.
What does the name Rosemary mean?
Rosemary means “dew of the sea; later read as rose of Mary” of Latin origin. Rosemary is the herb before it is the name, and the herb is Latin ros marinus, dew of the sea — nothing to do with roses or with Mary. The rose-of-Mary reading is a later folk etymology that stuck so completely it is now how almost everyone hears the word.
Where does the name Rosemary come from?
Rosemary is Latin in origin. The herb has meant remembrance since antiquity, which gives the name a quiet memorial sense. It was a US top-100 name in the 1940s, fell away after the 1968 film, and has been recovering slowly since the 2010s.
What are common nicknames for Rosemary?
Rosie, Romy, and Mary — the short-forms parents most often use for Rosemary.
How popular is Rosemary?
Rosemary did not make the top 1,000 girls' names in US Social Security Administration data for 2025, which makes it genuinely rare in the US.
Bring the name into the room
A couple of nice things named Rosemary you might want for the nursery.