Rosalin is a medieval variant of Rosalind. The name Rosalind ultimately derives from the Old German elements hros meaning "horse" and lind meaning "soft, flexible, tender". The Normans introduced this name to England, though it was not common initially. During the Middle Ages, its spelling was influenced by the Latin phrase rosa linda ("beautiful rose"), leading to forms like Rosalin. The name was popularized by Edmund Spenser, who used it in his poetry, and by William Shakespeare, who used it for the heroine in his comedy As You Like It (1599). Related variants include Rosaline, Rosalyn, Roselyn, Roslyn, and Rosaleen. Diminutives include Ros and Roz. In other languages, French has Roseline and Roselyne, German has Rosalinde, Germanic has Roslindis, Irish has Rosaleen, and Spanish has Rosalinda.