Name profile

GirlTurkish language family

Roxelana

A name meaning "Ruthenian".

Quick answer

Roxelana is a girl name meaning "Ruthenian".

GenderGirl
MeaningRuthenian
Language familyTurkish

Meaning and history

From a Turkish nickname meaning "Ruthenian". This referred to the region of Ruthenia, covering Belarus, Ukraine and western Russia. Roxelana (1504-1558), also called Hürrem, was a slave and then concubine of Süleyman the Magnificent, sultan of the Ottoman Empire. She eventually became his wife and produced his heir, Selim II.

Notes and context

Usage: history