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Roxanne Girl

Popularity: #768 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

Pronunciationrok-SAN / /rɒkˈsæn/

Greek; French

Meaning

Greek: 'dawn'; French: 'bright'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Roxanne has its roots in the ancient Persian language, derived from the word "Roxan," meaning "dawn" or "bright." This etymology reflects the name's association with light and new beginnings. The name was further adapted into Greek as "Roxane," which was popularized in the Hellenistic period, particularly through the historical figure Roxana, the wife of Alexander the Great, who lived in the 4th century BCE. The name then made its way into Latin as "Roxana," and subsequently into Old French, before entering the English language in the medieval period, where it maintained its original pronunciation and meaning.

Throughout history, Roxanne has been associated with various notable figures and cultural references. In literature, the name gained prominence through the character Roxane in Edmond Rostand's play "Cyrano de Bergerac," first performed in 1897. This character, known for her beauty and intelligence, has contributed to the name's romantic and poetic connotations. Additionally, the name appears in various historical texts and translations, including the works of classical authors who referenced the Persian origins of the name, thereby cementing its place in literary tradition.

Culturally, Roxanne has been embraced in various artistic expressions, symbolizing beauty, brightness, and the dawn of new ideas. The name has also been linked to themes of love and longing, particularly in the context of Rostand's play, where it represents the idealized woman. The diminutive form "Roxy" has emerged as a familiar and affectionate variant, further illustrating the name's adaptability and enduring appeal across different cultures and eras.

Trend Summary

Roxanne has seen fluctuating popularity in the U.S., with notable peaks in the late 20th century.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Roxana
  • Roxie

International Variants

  • Roxana (Spanish)
  • Roxanne (French)
  • Roksana (Polish)

Famous people named Roxanne

Roxanne Shante is a rapper best known for her work in the hip hop genre and her role in the film Roxanne Roxanne.

Roxanne McKee is an actress best known for her roles in Hollyoaks, Game of Thrones, and Dominion.

Roxanne Hart is an actress best known for her performances in Highlander, The Crucible, and 8 Seconds.

Fictional characters named Roxanne

Roxanne is a fictional character from the animated film A Goofy Movie. She is the love interest of Max Goof and plays a significant role in his coming-of-age journey.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Roxanne was first seen in the United States in 1906. Roxanne has ranked as high as #292 nationally, which occurred in 1954, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. In the past 5 years the name Roxanne has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Roxanne (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 36
33%
TX 22
20%
AZ 11
10%
FL 10
9%
NY 10
9%
WA 5
5%
IL 5
5%
MO 5
5%
OH 5
5%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
19066
19135
19186
19197
19207
19226
192310
19259
192612
19278
192810
19299
193010
193115
193223
193324
193426
193530
193653
193754
193862
193966
194090
1941115
1942107
1943179
1944175
1945198
1946232
1947270
1948290
1949331
1950682
19511,080
19521,578
19531,763
19542,232
19552,092
19562,114
19571,774
19581,586
19591,707
19601,920
19611,724
19621,515
19631,527
19641,324
19651,271
19661,186
19671,004
19681,016
19691,090
19701,013
19711,036
1972883
1973702
1974722
1975744
1976679
1977751
1978760
1979879
1980870
1981852
1982880
1983818
1984749
1985878
1986811
19871,021
19881,191
1989975
1990803
1991634
1992585
1993459
1994376
1995340
1996330
1997266
1998256
1999237
2000225
2001186
2002197
2003189
2004222
2005225
2006207
2007211
2008234
2009258
2010236
2011245
2012245
2013253
2014211
2015180
2016188
2017190
2018183
2019198
2020215
2021208
2022169
2023172
2024182