What Does the Name Rosalie Mean?
Rosalie means "rose," combining the Latin rosa with a softening -lie suffix. It's often interpreted as "little rose" and belongs to the broad family of floral names built directly on flower words.
The Origin & History of Rosalie
The name descends from the Roman Rosalia, itself tied to the ancient rosalia (or festum rosarum), a Roman festival in which garlands of roses were laid on graves to honor the dead. Rosalie became the standard French form and spread through Western Europe.
Cultural Reach
Rosalie enjoyed genuine popularity in the 19th century as part of the era's taste for romantic, flower-inspired names, then faded through much of the 20th century before a recent revival -- boosted in part by the character Rosalie Hale in the Twilight novels and films, played by Nikki Reed.
Famous People Named Rosalie
Notable bearers include Rosalie Abella, a former Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, and Rosalie Edge, the pioneering 20th-century American conservationist who founded the world's first refuge for birds of prey.
Nicknames & Variations
Common nicknames include Rosie and Lie. Related forms across languages include Rosalia (Italian/Spanish), Rosalia (Latin), and the shorter Rosa.
Is Rosalie a Good Name in 2026?
Rosalie appeals to parents who want a classic floral name with more history and texture than the plain Rose, and it fits comfortably alongside currently fashionable vintage-French names.