Meaning: Its source is an English expression meaning "Rose."

Languages: This girl's name is used in English.

Nickname For: Rosa, Rose and Rosemary

Alternative Spellings: Rosey, Rosy and Rosi

Variant Forms: Rosio

Popularity: The name Rosie ranked 323rd in popularity for females of all ages in a sample of the 1990 US Census.

This name is highly rated in the 1990 U.S. Census popularity survey of all ages, but after 1960 does not appear in the state data listing the most popular baby names.

Narrative: Though this name is identical to the name of a flower, which is derived from the Latin term rosa, some authorities believe the similarity is a coincidence.

If they are correct, one of two Old English words gave rise to this name: either hros, meaning ''horse,'' or hrod, meaning ''fame.'' In support of these theories they point to Rosalind, which was derived from the first, and Rowena, which was derived from the second.

Whatever its ultimate source, there is no doubt that in modern times the name is given to baby girls with the flower in mind.