Rosanna is a feminine given name of Italian origin. It is derived from the Italian word "roso," which means "rose." Therefore, Rosanna literally translates to "little rose."
The name Rosanna has been popular among Italians for centuries and has since gained international recognition. In Italy, it was often used in the Middle Ages as a diminutive of Rosa or Rose, which were also popular names at that time.
Historically, Rosanna was brought into prominence by several notable figures throughout history. One such figure is Rosanna Pampanini, an Italian actress who became famous for her role as "La Gioconda" in the 19th century. Additionally, there have been several saints named Rosanna, including Saint Rosanna of Verona, a martyr from the 4th century.
While Rosanna has not been as popular internationally as other rose-inspired names like Rose or Rosie, it still holds significant cultural importance in Italy and among Italian communities worldwide. It is often chosen by parents who wish to give their daughter a unique yet meaningful name with deep historical roots.
The name Rosanna experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the years. It started with single-digit figures from 1880 to 1950, then saw a dramatic increase in the late 1940s and early 1950s, peaking at 235 births in 1951. After this peak, the popularity of Rosanna declined steadily until the mid-1960s when it began to fluctuate between around 150 to 200 births per year. In recent years, from 2000 onwards, Rosanna's popularity has been quite low and relatively stable, with fewer than 80 births recorded annually, except for a brief spike in 2022 with 80 births.