Rosa: strictly a Latin name?

I really love the name [name]Rosa[/name], yet do you berries think it is strictly associated with Spanish culture?
I was talking to my mother and sister, and they think [name]Rosa[/name] is only fitting for an old Hispanic woman. Can [name]Rosa[/name] make the jump across the cultural border?

Personally, I think [name]Rosa[/name] is a gorgeous, elegant name thats on the same page as [name]Nora[/name], [name]Flora[/name], or [name]Luna[/name].
But if you heard a little girl named [name]Rosa[/name], would you automatically think she is Latina?

Can’t wait to hear your opinions!

I think of it as a Spanish name, but I don’t think that makes it unusable for a person not of Spanish or Hispanic origin. I like the soft Spanish pronunciation better than “[name]Rose[/name]-uh.”

I think Spanish right away, but I don’t think that means the kid has to be hispanic… but I won’t lie…I do picture it on a hispanic girl better than on a white girl

It isn’t strictly a name for a Latina at all - I knew two girls named [name]Rosa[/name] in high school, both Caucasian. According to Nameberry, [name]Rosa[/name] is also favored over [name]Rose[/name] by the British upper class.

I wouldn’t assume she was a Latina, mostly because I’m from [name]Sweden[/name] and [name]Rosa[/name] has been used here since a long time:)

I definitely think it’s a cross-cultural name. Sure, it’s used in Spanish-speaking cultures, but also [name]Italy[/name] and other European countries. Plus it peaked in popularity in the U.S. in the 1880s, so I think of it as a vintage name. For the record, I [name]LOVE[/name] [name]Rosa[/name] but can’t convince my husband to use it for our little girl.

I live in a heavily Hispanic area, so I hear it often, but I do think it can be used cross culturally. I think it’s a great choice.

I hear it a lot, on Hispanic women and white women. I definitely think it is prettier and more exotic than just [name]Rose[/name]. Have you considered [name]Rosario[/name]?

Personally, I don’t think you have to be Hispanic to be [name]Rosa[/name]. That may be a common association for some people, but I think it’s even prettier than [name]Rose[/name]. I know it’s way too much like [name]Mona[/name] [name]Lisa[/name], but [name]Rosa[/name] [name]Lisa[/name] sounds gorgeous to me.

I have known Rosas that were very white. I have [name]Rosa[/name] on my list and my daughter will either have red or light brown hair and very fair skin so I don’t think it is that Hispanic. If you are unsure what about [name]Rosalie[/name] NN [name]Rosa[/name]?

I looooove [name]Rosa[/name]! Very adorable for a little girl but also transfers well as she grows up.

I know I’m probably going to get a lot of flak for this, but I actually prefer [name]Rosa[/name] with a Z: [name]Roza[/name]. I saw it spelled like that once and I’ve loved it ever since, but I know that a lot of people on Nameberry don’t agree with changing the traditional spelling of names.

When I hear [name]Rosa[/name], I think of [name]Rosa[/name] [name]Parks[/name] first. She alone is a pretty worthy namesake. I think it depends on your area to determine how odd it would be.

I live in city that is primarily Hispanic right now and imo it is very elderly Hispanic woman sounding to me because I’ve never met one under the age of 50 plus there’s a brand of Mexican food sold in the stores here called “[name]Tia[/name] [name]Rosa[/name]” so I definitely connect it to Mexican culture over anything else for me. However if you love it you should use it since it’s easy to prn, the name is cross cultural and as others have said there is also the [name]Rosa[/name] [name]Parks[/name] connection.

I’m kind of in the same boat with my favorite name, [name]Maria[/name]. I think both names are certainly prevalent in Latino communities, but they are definitely cross-cultural. It’s not like you’re using [name]Felicidad[/name] or something on a white girl :slight_smile:

I have first cousin and an Aunt that are Rosas. We are of italian origin so, no it does not make me think hispanic at all. As a matter of fact I also went to school with another [name]Rosa[/name] who was also not hispanic. I think it would be adorable on a little girl :slight_smile:

I know many [name]Rosa[/name] without Latina background. [name]Rosalinda[/name] is very latin to me, but not [name]Rosa[/name].
Like this name, but still prefer [name]Rosalie[/name], [name]Rosemary[/name], or other lengthened version…

Not in [name]Holland[/name] anyway, as we have loads of [name]Rosa[/name]'s runnning around with no Hispanic background…but that doens’t help you. I love [name]Rose[/name]- names.

Maybe you could use the name [name]Rosamund[/name] nn [name]Rosa[/name].