Roksana

Girl Name
Pronunciation:/rɒkˈsɑː.nə/

Roksana: a female name of Old Persian origin meaning "This name derives from the Old Persian “Roušanak / Roshanak” (bright, dawn, a window of light, shining)". It derives from the Old Persian word "Roušanak / ROSHANAK > Ro̱xáne / Rhōksánē".

In Old Persian tradition, Roksana holds special significance as a feminine name representing This name derives from the Old Persian “Roušanak / Roshanak” (bright, dawn, a window of light, shining). This name has been cherished across generations, carrying with it the wisdom and heritage of Old Persian culture. Its enduring popularity speaks to its universal resonance.

Quick Facts About Roksana

Quick facts about Roksana
OriginOld Persian
GenderGirl name
PopularityModerately popular

Researched by Name Doctor Linguistics Team

Our names are verified by professional linguists with expertise in etymology and cultural naming traditions.

Last reviewed: November 2025

Meaning

This name derives from the Old Persian “Roušanak / Roshanak” (bright, dawn, a window of light, shining). The version “Roxana” and its variants have come from the Ancient Greek “Rhōxā́nē (Ῥωξᾱ́νη).” Roxana is the Greek name of a Bactrian noblewoman who was the daughter of Oxyartes of Bactria (not Sogdiana) and the official wife of Alexander the Great. Roxane is the name of Cyrano’s love in the famous French play Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand. Hürrem Sultan “Roxelana” (Alexandra Anastasia Lisowska) was the legal wife and Haseki sultan of Suleiman the Magnificent and the mother of Şehzade Mehmed, Mihrimah Sultan, Sultan Selim II and Şehzade Bayezid of the Ottoman Empire.

Etymology & Details

Name Root

Roušanak / ROSHANAK > Ro̱xáne / Rhōksánē

Other Scripts

Russian (Роксана)

How to Pronounce Roksana

Roksana is pronounced /rɒkˈsɑː.nə/(English)

Step-by-step pronunciation guide:

  1. Break it into syllables: Roksan-a
  2. Say it like: "ROKSAN-A"
  3. Practice saying it naturally a few times

Pronunciation verified by linguistic sources

Usage & Popularity

This name has found popularity across russian, and polish speaking regions, demonstrating its cross-cultural appeal and adaptability.

russianpolish
Frequently Asked Questions About Roksana
What does the name Roksana mean?
Roksana means "This name derives from the Old Persian “Roušanak / Roshanak” (bright, dawn, a window of light, shining). The version “Roxana” and its variants have come from the Ancient Greek “Rhōxā́nē (Ῥωξᾱ́νη).” Roxana is the Greek name of a Bactrian noblewoman who was the daughter of Oxyartes of Bactria (not Sogdiana) and the official wife of Alexander the Great. Roxane is the name of Cyrano’s love in the famous French play Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand. Hürrem Sultan “Roxelana” (Alexandra Anastasia Lisowska) was the legal wife and Haseki sultan of Suleiman the Magnificent and the mother of Şehzade Mehmed, Mihrimah Sultan, Sultan Selim II and Şehzade Bayezid of the Ottoman Empire.". The name comes from Roušanak / ROSHANAK > Ro̱xáne / Rhōksánē. In its original form, the name derives from Roušanak / Roshanak (روشنک) Rhōxā́nē (Ῥωξᾱ́νη). This old persian name has been passed down through generations, carrying its meaning across different cultures and time periods. Parents who choose Roksana for girls often connect with the name's meaning of "This name derives from the Old Persian “Roušanak / Roshanak” (bright, dawn, a window of light, shining). The version “Roxana” and its variants have come from the Ancient Greek “Rhōxā́nē (Ῥωξᾱ́νη).” Roxana is the Greek name of a Bactrian noblewoman who was the daughter of Oxyartes of Bactria (not Sogdiana) and the official wife of Alexander the Great. Roxane is the name of Cyrano’s love in the famous French play Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand. Hürrem Sultan “Roxelana” (Alexandra Anastasia Lisowska) was the legal wife and Haseki sultan of Suleiman the Magnificent and the mother of Şehzade Mehmed, Mihrimah Sultan, Sultan Selim II and Şehzade Bayezid of the Ottoman Empire." as a quality they hope to see in their child. While not the most common choice, Roksana's meaningful roots have given it staying power among parents looking for a name with substance.
What is the origin of the name Roksana?
Roksana is a old persian name. The name traces back to Roušanak / ROSHANAK > Ro̱xáne / Rhōksánē. The original form Roušanak / Roshanak (روشنک) Rhōxā́nē (Ῥωξᾱ́νη) shows the name's roots in its native language. In its native script, Roksana is written as Russian (Роксана). From its old persian roots, Roksana spread to become common in russian, polish. The old persian meaning "This name derives from the Old Persian “Roušanak / Roshanak” (bright, dawn, a window of light, shining). The version “Roxana” and its variants have come from the Ancient Greek “Rhōxā́nē (Ῥωξᾱ́νη).” Roxana is the Greek name of a Bactrian noblewoman who was the daughter of Oxyartes of Bactria (not Sogdiana) and the official wife of Alexander the Great. Roxane is the name of Cyrano’s love in the famous French play Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand. Hürrem Sultan “Roxelana” (Alexandra Anastasia Lisowska) was the legal wife and Haseki sultan of Suleiman the Magnificent and the mother of Şehzade Mehmed, Mihrimah Sultan, Sultan Selim II and Şehzade Bayezid of the Ottoman Empire." reflects values important in the culture where this name first appeared.
Is Roksana a boy or girl name?
Roksana is a girl's name. This traditionally feminine name has been chosen by parents for daughters across many cultures and time periods. In old persian tradition, Roksana has historically been given to girls. The meaning "This name derives from the Old Persian “Roušanak / Roshanak” (bright, dawn, a window of light, shining). The version “Roxana” and its variants have come from the Ancient Greek “Rhōxā́nē (Ῥωξᾱ́νη).” Roxana is the Greek name of a Bactrian noblewoman who was the daughter of Oxyartes of Bactria (not Sogdiana) and the official wife of Alexander the Great. Roxane is the name of Cyrano’s love in the famous French play Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand. Hürrem Sultan “Roxelana” (Alexandra Anastasia Lisowska) was the legal wife and Haseki sultan of Suleiman the Magnificent and the mother of Şehzade Mehmed, Mihrimah Sultan, Sultan Selim II and Şehzade Bayezid of the Ottoman Empire." carries well for a daughter, giving the name lasting appeal.
How do you pronounce Roksana?
Roksana is pronounced "/rɒkˈsɑː.nə/". This pronunciation follows en language patterns. In its original script, the name appears as Russian (Роксана), which helps explain how native speakers pronounce it. As a single-syllable name, Roksana is quick to say and easy to call out. Pronunciation may vary slightly in russian, polish, where the name is also used. Local accents and language rules can shift certain sounds while keeping the name recognizable. If you're unfamiliar with old persian names, listening to a native speaker say Roksana can help you catch the right rhythm and emphasis. The name's root Roušanak / ROSHANAK > Ro̱xáne / Rhōksánē influences how Roksana sounds in its original language.
How popular is the name Roksana?
Roksana is somewhat common, familiar to most people. With moderate popularity, Roksana offers familiarity without being everywhere. It's the kind of name people recognize but don't hear every day. Roksana's popularity may vary between old persian communities and the broader population, where naming trends differ. The name's meaning of "This name derives from the Old Persian “Roušanak / Roshanak” (bright, dawn, a window of light, shining). The version “Roxana” and its variants have come from the Ancient Greek “Rhōxā́nē (Ῥωξᾱ́νη).” Roxana is the Greek name of a Bactrian noblewoman who was the daughter of Oxyartes of Bactria (not Sogdiana) and the official wife of Alexander the Great. Roxane is the name of Cyrano’s love in the famous French play Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand. Hürrem Sultan “Roxelana” (Alexandra Anastasia Lisowska) was the legal wife and Haseki sultan of Suleiman the Magnificent and the mother of Şehzade Mehmed, Mihrimah Sultan, Sultan Selim II and Şehzade Bayezid of the Ottoman Empire." likely influences its appeal, as parents often choose names that express values or hopes for their children. Among girls' names, Roksana holds its own, appealing to parents who value distinctive options.
Where is the name Roksana commonly used?
Roksana is common in russian and polish naming traditions. Though old persian in origin, Roksana found a home in other cultures where it resonated with local naming preferences. The meaning "This name derives from the Old Persian “Roušanak / Roshanak” (bright, dawn, a window of light, shining). The version “Roxana” and its variants have come from the Ancient Greek “Rhōxā́nē (Ῥωξᾱ́νη).” Roxana is the Greek name of a Bactrian noblewoman who was the daughter of Oxyartes of Bactria (not Sogdiana) and the official wife of Alexander the Great. Roxane is the name of Cyrano’s love in the famous French play Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand. Hürrem Sultan “Roxelana” (Alexandra Anastasia Lisowska) was the legal wife and Haseki sultan of Suleiman the Magnificent and the mother of Şehzade Mehmed, Mihrimah Sultan, Sultan Selim II and Şehzade Bayezid of the Ottoman Empire." carries universal appeal, helping explain why different cultures adopted Roksana into their naming traditions. A child named Roksana will likely find their name recognized in multiple countries, which can be an advantage for families with international connections or who value global accessibility. Across these cultures, Roksana is given to girls, maintaining consistent gender association.

Sources: Etymology verified through linguistic research including Oxford Dictionary of First Names, Behind the Name, and academic etymology databases.

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