Roxanna: 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".
The name Roxanna carries a rich history rooted in Old Persian culture. Derived from "Roušanak / ROSHANAK > Ro̱xáne / Rhōksánē", this feminine name embodies the essence of This name derives from the Old Persian “Roušanak / Roshanak” (bright, dawn, a window of light, shining). Its linguistic journey through centuries reflects the cultural values and traditions of Old Persian-speaking communities.
Quick Facts About Roxanna
Quick facts about Roxanna
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
How to Pronounce Roxanna
Roxanna is pronounced /rɒkˈsænə/
Step-by-step pronunciation guide:
Break it into syllables: Rox-anna
Say it like: "ROX-ANNA"
Practice saying it naturally a few times
✓Pronunciation verified by linguistic sources
Usage & Popularity
Roxanna enjoys international appeal, used in 5 different linguistic and cultural contexts including english, norwegian, swedish, and many others. This widespread adoption reflects its universal resonance.
englishnorwegianswedishdanishfinnish
Frequently Asked Questions About Roxanna
What does the name Roxanna mean?
Roxanna 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 Roxanna 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, Roxanna's meaningful roots have given it staying power among parents looking for a name with substance.
What is the origin of the name Roxanna?
Roxanna 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. From its old persian roots, Roxanna spread to become common in english, norwegian, swedish, danish and 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 Roxanna a boy or girl name?
Roxanna 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, Roxanna 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 Roxanna?
Roxanna is pronounced "/rɒkˈsænə/". This pronunciation follows fa language patterns. As a single-syllable name, Roxanna is quick to say and easy to call out. Pronunciation may vary slightly in english, norwegian, swedish, 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 Roxanna can help you catch the right rhythm and emphasis. This pronunciation has been verified and represents the standard way to say the name. The name's root Roušanak / ROSHANAK > Ro̱xáne / Rhōksánē influences how Roxanna sounds in its original language.
How popular is the name Roxanna?
Roxanna is somewhat common, familiar to most people. With moderate popularity, Roxanna offers familiarity without being everywhere. It's the kind of name people recognize but don't hear every day. Roxanna'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, Roxanna holds its own, appealing to parents who value distinctive options.
Where is the name Roxanna commonly used?
Roxanna spans multiple cultures, including english, norwegian, swedish, and 2 other traditions. Though old persian in origin, Roxanna found a home in other cultures where it resonated with local naming preferences. Names that work across multiple cultures, like Roxanna, often have straightforward pronunciation and positive meanings that translate well. 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 Roxanna into their naming traditions. A child named Roxanna 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, Roxanna 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.