Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Rosalind

Rosalind is a name used by two English literary giants in their late 16th century works – first Edmund Spenser in his epic poem “The Shepheardes Calender” (1579) and then by William Shakespeare in his comedy “As You Like It” (c. 1599). The English adopted the name from the Norman-French after the Conquest of 1066 (although it was not very common back then). Rosalind is a name of Frankish and Germanic origin, from the Germanic elements “hros” meaning “horse” and “linde” meaning “soft, tender, weak” – therefore the name essentially describes a “gentle horse”. As Rosalind became more popular in the 17th century (thanks to Spenser and Shakespeare), etymologists took a second look and realized the name may have also been influenced by the Latin term “rosa linda” meaning “pretty rose” (but this is considered folk etymology). Rosalind eventually gave birth to more similar sounding female names, such as Rosaline, Rosalyn and Roselyn. However, Rosalind predates them all, and is the one with the most literary cachet (see literary references below for more information).

All About the Baby Name – Rosalind

Personality

OF THE GIRL NAME ROSALIND

The number 11 is a Master Number, and embodies heightened traits of the Two. This personality is on a life journey to find spiritual truth. They are extremely idealistic and intuitive. Elevens have a rare and exceptional spiritual energy that brings a sense of obligation to illuminate the world around them. It's a very powerful responsibility, but these people have far more potential than they know. It's important that they surrender to higher ideals. They have the capacity to see the bigger picture, and they possess the skills to inspire others spiritually. Elevens have strong diplomatic skills and can become great peacemakers. Master numbers can be both a blessing and a curse, as they walk the fine line between greatness and the potential for self-destruction.

Popularity

OF THE GIRL NAME ROSALIND

Rosalind first appeared on the American female naming charts at the end of the 19th century (1889). As the 20th century got underway, this pretty little rose was only used with mild moderation. In fact, the name’s peak success was achieved in the early 1940s when she reached position #292 out of 1000 on the charts in 1942. This was likely influenced by a very popular silver screen actress Rosalind Russell who was at the top of her game in those years. She was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar in 1942 for her role in “My Sister Eileen”; she also had a knack for comedy and was often paired up with Cary Grant such as in the memorable film “His Girl Friday” (1940). As a female given name, however, Rosalind began to lose her luster in the 1960s and completely disappeared from the Top 1000 list in 1978. Still on her nearly 40 year hiatus from usage, Rosalind is off the American radar. We’d like to see this one return to the charts someday soon – this pretty rose is far too neglected.

Quick Facts

ON ROSALIND

GENDER:

Girl

ORIGIN:

English

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

3

RANKING POPULARITY:

N/A

PRONUNCIATION:

ROZ-ə-lind

SIMPLE MEANING:

Gentle horse (also "pretty rose")

Characteristics

OF ROSALIND

Inspirational

Highly Intuitive

Spiritual Teacher

Extremely Bright

Uplifting

Truth-seeker

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Rosalind

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME ROSALIND

Rosalind is the leading female character in Shakespeare’s very popular romantic comedy of 1600, As You Like It. Rosalind is a highly appealing character; of noble birth, she is royal and proud, but she is as impetuous as any young girl when she falls for the handsome and charming Orlando. She is an utterly charming young woman herself, and more than a match for any man. She is affectionate, humorous, witty and wicked smart. Realizing her limitations as a woman in contemporary society, she poses as a man in order to tutor Orlando in the art of love. Even this, however, she does with wisdom, kindness and patience. Rosalind’s enduring integrity and strength of character enable her to bear the many misfortunes that life aims at her, and she faces each challenge with courage and dignity. It seems to us that Orlando may just turn out to be not the least of those challenges!

Rosalind is a character in Edmund Spenser’s 1579 series of pastoral poems, The Shepheardes Calender, each corresponding to a month of the year. Rosalind appears in January, a cruelly cold month, for that is exactly how she is to the poet. Rosalind in the poem is based upon a person whom Spenser knew and loved in his youth, but who spurned his proposal and married another. At the age of twenty-four, the poet thought that life was over and no chance for happiness existed, “…for love is a cureless sorrow”. Of course, he was eventually proven wrong, but the cool and lovely Rosalind made her way from his heart to his pen, to our benefit.

As You Like It

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME ROSALIND

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Rosalind


Popular Songs

ON ROSALIND

We cannot find any popular or well-known songs with the name of Rosalind


Famous People

NAMED ROSALIND

Rosalind Russell (actress)
Rosalind Chao (actress)
Rosalind Franklin (English biophysicist)
Rosalind Hamilton, Duchess of Abercorn (British aristocrat, great-grandmother of Princess Diana)
Rosalind Newman (choreographer)

Children of Famous People

NAMED ROSALIND

Uma Thurman;

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME ROSALIND

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Rosalind