Roxanne is a female given name of Persian origin and means "dawn" or "light". It has been used throughout history in various forms such as Rhodaxane, Roxana, and Roxane.
The name Roxanne gained popularity in the West during the Victorian era when it was introduced through Alexander Pushkin's poem "Eugene Onegin." In this work, one of the main characters is named Tatyana, who falls in love with Eugene Onegin. Tatyana has a cousin named Roxane, which contributed to the name's increasing familiarity among English-speaking audiences.
In addition to literature, the name Roxanne also appeared in other forms of art and culture throughout history. For example, it was used as a character name in the play "Cyrano de Bergerac" by Edmond Rostand, where Roxane is Cyrano's love interest. More recently, the song "Roxanne" by The Police brought further attention to this unique name.
Overall, Roxanne is an elegant and distinctive name with deep roots in history and culture. Its meaning of "dawn" or "light" suggests a bright and radiant personality, making it an attractive choice for parents looking for a special name for their daughter.
The name Roxanne has had a varied history of popularity over the past century in the United States. In the early years from 1906 to 1934, it was relatively uncommon, with fewer than 30 births recorded each year.
However, starting from 1935, there was a significant increase in its usage, with 30 births reported that year alone. This trend continued throughout the 1940s and 1950s, reaching a peak of over 2,200 births in 1954.
The name Roxanne remained popular throughout the 1960s and 1970s, with an average of around 1,000 births each year. It started to decline in popularity from the mid-1980s onwards, but it has still been given to between 200 to 300 babies annually since then.
In recent years, Roxanne has seen a slight resurgence in popularity, with over 200 births reported each year between 2014 and 2022. In total, there have been 59,166 births of the name Roxanne in the United States since 1906.
Overall, while Roxanne's popularity has fluctuated over time, it remains a classic and enduring name choice for parents in the United States.