Roušanā: 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".
Roušanā has maintained its appeal as a feminine name in modern times while preserving its Old Persian roots. Today, parents are drawn to its meaningful essence of "This name derives from the Old Persian “Roušanak / Roshanak” (bright, dawn, a window of light, shining)" and its cultural richness. This name bridges traditional heritage with contemporary naming trends.
Quick Facts About Roušanā
Quick facts about Roušanā
Origin
Old Persian
Gender
Girl name
Popularity
Moderately 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
Persian (Fārsi) (روشنا)
How to Pronounce Roušanā
Roušanā is pronounced /ruːˈʃɑː.nɑː/
Step-by-step pronunciation guide:
Break it into syllables: Rouš-anā
Say it like: "ROUŠ-ANĀ"
Practice saying it naturally a few times
Usage & Popularity
Roušanā is predominantly used in iranian speaking communities, where it maintains strong cultural connections and traditional significance.
iranian
Frequently Asked Questions About Roušanā
What does the name Roušanā mean?
Roušanā 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 Roušanā 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, Roušanā's meaningful roots have given it staying power among parents looking for a name with substance.
What is the origin of the name Roušanā?
Roušanā 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, Roušanā is written as Persian (Fārsi) (روشنا). The name remains closely tied to iranian naming traditions while occasionally appearing in other cultures. 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 Roušanā a boy or girl name?
Roušanā 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, Roušanā 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 Roušanā?
Roušanā is pronounced "/ruːˈʃɑː.nɑː/". This pronunciation follows pe language patterns. In its original script, the name appears as Persian (Fārsi) (روشنا), which helps explain how native speakers pronounce it. As a single-syllable name, Roušanā is quick to say and easy to call out. If you're unfamiliar with old persian names, listening to a native speaker say Roušanā can help you catch the right rhythm and emphasis. The name's root Roušanak / ROSHANAK > Ro̱xáne / Rhōksánē influences how Roušanā sounds in its original language.
How popular is the name Roušanā?
Roušanā is somewhat common, familiar to most people. With moderate popularity, Roušanā offers familiarity without being everywhere. It's the kind of name people recognize but don't hear every day. Roušanā'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, Roušanā holds its own, appealing to parents who value distinctive options.
Where is the name Roušanā commonly used?
Roušanā is used primarily in iranian naming traditions. Though old persian in origin, Roušanā 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 Roušanā into their naming traditions. A child named Roušanā 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, Roušanā 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.