Last Names

Surnames / R

Rosen

What is the origin of the last name Rosen?

German originDescriptive (a nickname)Rank #1,585 in the US

Meaning and origin

The last name Rosen is of German and Ashkenazi Jewish origin. Derived from the German word for "roses," it was a common Jewish surname adopted by families during the 18th and 19th centuries. Rosen may also be a variant of the Hebrew name "Rosenbaum," meaning "rose tree." The name is prevalent among Ashkenazi Jews, particularly those of German and Eastern European descent.

The longer story

The last name Rosen is of German and Jewish origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word "rosen," which means "rose." The name is an occupational name for someone who grew or sold roses, or for someone who lived by a place named Rosen. It could also be a nickname for someone with a rosy complexion or someone who was considered beautiful or charming. The name Rosen is relatively common, particularly among Jewish communities.

The surname Rosen can be traced back to the early 13th century in Germany. It was initially a Germanic given name before becoming a surname. Variations of the last name include Rosenbaum, Rosenberg, and Rosenthal, among others.

Rosen is a popular Jewish surname, with many Jewish families adopting it as their last name. This is attributed to the Jewish tradition of adopting surnames, which began in the late 18th century in Central Europe.

Surname origins are rarely settled: one spelling can have several sources, and families often took a name for reasons nobody wrote down. Check it against the sources below before you rely on it.

Similar spellings

#1,585

Rosen was the 1,585th most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 22,596 people, about 7.3 in every 100,000.

Who carries it

  • White (non-Hispanic)94.5%
  • Hispanic or Latino2.7%
  • Black (non-Hispanic)0.6%
  • Asian or Pacific Islander0.8%
  • Two or more races1.0%
  • American Indian or Alaska Native0.3%

Where it is found

Countries linked to Rosen.

Surnames like Rosen

Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.

Check the sources

For a name you are serious about, compare the dictionaries: Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames; Hanks, Dictionary of American Family Names.