Rose is the hot middle name of the moment, whether you’re talking about the neighbors’ new baby girl or celebrity powerhouse Nicole Kidman’s Sunday Rose.

Elisabeth at You Can’t Call It It is a big fan of Rose as a first name, à la the fictional daughter of Charlotte York Goldenblatt of Sex and the City fame.  We agree that it’s that rare choice that manages to be both feminine and strong, while coming in at merely one simple syllable.  But rather than just make Rose a Name of the Day, we thought we’d do one better and explore the garden of Rose names for girls that would look just right in the driver’s seat.

There are easily two dozen Rose names – far less than in botany, where over 100 species are found.  But it’s enough that they range from the classic to the dated to the newly fashionable and potentially appealing. 

• Rose:  She’s the timeless original.  Like Mary, Jane, Anne or Grace, Rose’s style stems from her effortless and timeless simplicity.  The name is feminine without being even a smidge frilly.  Rose could be a ballerina, a district attorney or the little girl next door.  The name ranked #351 in 2007.
• Rosa: She’s the Latina version of the classic.  Picture the same little girl, but somewhere in the Spanish-speaking world, which does not exclude the US.  While Rosa has been quite fashionable in the US, she’s never eclipsed her single-syllable cousin.  Today we think Rose is the stronger option unless, of course, your first language is Spanish, Italian or Portuguese.  As of 2007, she ranked #435 in the US.
• Róisín:  Pronounced ro SHEEN, this is the Celtic version of the name.  Technically, it means “little rose.”  Róis – rosh - is the literal translation for the flower.  Once an immigrant would’ve abandoned this name in favor of Rose minutes after arriving in the US; today, it’s likely to be bestowed by parents who’ve never seen the Emerald Isle but are longing for a heritage choice.  She’s Niamh and Saoirse’s sister. Despite her authenticity, the “een” ending brings to mind Arlene, Darlene and Maureen – names less than fashionable today.  It has ever charted in the Top 1000.
• Rosemary: She’s a double flower power hit – there’s not only the bloom, but the herb, too.  As Ophelia memorably told us, Rosemary is for remembrance.  The short form Romy comes from the Germans, and is occasionally bestowed as a given name.  This is our personal favorite, thanks to the haunting Interpol song from 2005.  (Yes, their Rosemary references the twisted serial killer Rosemary West.  We choose to overlook that tiny hiccup.)  As of 2007, Rosemary ranked #720.
• Rosalind:  Even more of a throwback than Rosemary, Rosalind was used by Shakespeare for a character in As You Like It, as well as Romeo’s love interest before he’s met his Juliet.  We like it for offering the nickname option Lindy, as well as serving as a graceful way to honor women named Rose and Linda – statistics suggest that many of us have both names hanging on our family trees.  It’s tempting to translate Rosalind as “beautiful rose,” but in fact there’s no botanical basis for this name.  It’s from Germanic elements for horse – hros and soft – linde – meaning that the name suggests a biddable horse.  Let’s not on dwell on that, as we rather like the name.  Rosalind was not in the Top 1000 as of last year.
• Rosanna:  Just as she appears, Rosanna is a mash-up of Rose and Anna, and was a smash hit song for Toto back in 1982.  While the names aren’t related, we rather like the idea of getting the nickname Roxy from Rosanna.  As of 2007, she was not in the Top 1000.
• Roseanne, Rosemarie:  While Rosanna feels current with choices like Isabella and Anneliese, we can’t help but find these two compound names a bit dated.  Neither charted in the Top 1000 last year.
• Rosalynn, Rosalyn, Roslyn, Roseline, Roselyn:  Another compound name that seems dusty and fusty circa 2008, regardless of spelling.  That said, current creations like Kaitlyn, Madalyn and Gracelyn are encouraging parents to consider these Rose-variants.  It’s truly unthinkable if you live in metro DC, where Rosslyn, Virginia is just across the Key Bridge from Georgetown and accessible via the orange line.  None of these choices appear in the US Top 1000.
• Rosalba: Used mainly in Italian, this one means “white rose.”  It has the romantic feel of Arabella, but perhaps a bit more strength and substance.  It has never ranked in the US Top 1000.
• Rosario, Rosaria:  The term “rosary” literally translates to rose garden, but refers to a Catholic devotional prayer practice counted out on beads.  Rosario is feminine in Spanish and masculine in Italian; Rosaria is the Italian feminine.  Despite the success of actress Rosario Dawson and the lively sound of this name, neither version has recently charted in the US Top 1000.
• Rosary:  It’s unthinkable to many, but with names like Trinity and Genesis gaining, we can’t rule out the possibility that some parents might choose this overtly religious moniker for a daughter.  But it does raise the question of what they’d call their son – Incense?  Mercifully, Rosary has never charted in the US Top 1000.
• Rosetta:  This is an Italian pet form of Rose, most famous as the Rosetta Stone – the ancient steele that provided the key to reading Egyptian hieroglyphics.  It was discovered in 1799 by the French, who had conquered Egypt under Napoleon the year before.  The port city was called Rashid, but the French referred to it as Rosetta – and so this name sounds not only dated, but carbon-dated.  It has not ranked in the US Top 1000 since 1973.
• Rosina, Rosena, Rosella, Roselle, Rosalita:  Like Rosetta, these are pet forms of Rose and Rosa, sometimes bestowed independently.  We don’t think they’re as compelling as some of the other choices, but some might favor them for family or personal reasons.  For example, Rosina appears in the Rossini opera The Barber of Seville.  The song Rosalita was a 1973 hit for Bruce Springsteen.
• Rosalie, Rosalia:  Rosalia was an ancient festival, celebrated into the year 500, and probably for many centuries prior.  Rosalia entered common use and was the name of a 12th century Sicilian saint.  Today we think Rosalia might be a bit much, but the French adaptation of the name – Rosalie – feels fresh and current.
• Rosabel, Rosabelle, Rosabella:  Yet another mash-up, this time used in Italian and Spanish, as well as English.  It’s a relatively new name, dating to the 18th century.  Given the popularity of Isabella and Annabel, we can imagine meeting some small Rosabels, too.  But at the moment, all three variants are unranked in the US.
• Rosamond, Rosamund:  In use since at least the 12th century, and probably a few hundred years prior, this name has more in common with the equestrian-tinged Rosalind than the botanical Roses.  Still, it’s tempting to translate this as “rose of the world” – in fact, the 12th century mistress of England’s King Henry II was named Rosamund Clifford and nicknamed precisely that.  These Roses last appeared in the US Top 1000 in the 1930s, making them true throwbacks.  You might even up the quirk factor by calling your Rosamond by the nickname Monday.
• Primrose:  Yes, it’s a valid botanical choice.  But it’s terribly, well, prim and prissy for a real live girl. Priscilla ranks #375, but Primrose has never charted in the US Top 1000.
• Anna Rose, Mary Rose:  These have been popular through the ages, but are likely recorded in official records as Anna and Mary.  Today, we think Rosanna and Rosemary are stronger choices, but these might appeal to some parents.

There you have it – more than a dozen reasons to rescue Rose from the middle spot and promote her to first.