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At a Glance: Name: Rosalind – Meaning: from elements meaning roughly 'horse' and 'soft/tender' — something like 'gentle horse' – Origin: Germanic – Gender: Girl – Pronunciation: RAH-zuh-lind
Rosalind (pronounced RAH-zuh-lind) comes from Germanic roots that combine elements meaning "horse" and "soft" or "tender" — something closer to "gentle horse" than the "beautiful rose" story you may have heard, which actually traces back to a later mix-up with the Spanish phrase "rosa linda." It has an unfussy, wandering quality that fits parents drawn to free-spirited, well-traveled, nature-loving names.
Meaning & Origin of Rosalind
Meaning: From elements meaning roughly 'horse' and 'soft/tender' — something like 'gentle horse'.
Origin: Germanic.
A common claim: Rosalind is widely believed to mean 'beautiful rose' or 'pretty rose.' Actually: That's a folk etymology from a medieval reinterpretation linking it to Spanish 'rosa linda' — the real Germanic roots mean 'horse' + 'soft/tender.'
Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.
How to Pronounce Rosalind
Phonetic: RAH-zuh-lind IPA: /ˈrɑːzəlɪnd/
Popularity of Rosalind
Between 1888 and 2024, Rosalind hit its high point in 1942, ranking #292 with 537 babies given the name that year. By 2024 it had settled at #1475, with just 148 babies named Rosalind.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration birth-name data, 1888–2024.
Make Rosalind Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Rosalind, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
Names With a Similar Story
Derived from shared style, era, and origin data (or, for names we have no style data for, a similar Social Security popularity trajectory) — not a hand-picked list.
FAQ
What does the name Rosalind mean?
From elements meaning roughly ‘horse’ and ‘soft/tender’ — something like ‘gentle horse’. (Source: Wiktionary, https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Rosalind)
How do you pronounce Rosalind?
Rosalind is pronounced RAH-zuh-lind (IPA: /ˈrɑːzəlɪnd/).
Is Rosalind a popular name right now?
Rosalind peaked at #292 in 1942 and is ranked #1475 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1888–2024.)
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