當天主教聖吳甦樂會應高雄教區鄭天祥主教邀請來台創辦一所外語專科學校時，鑒於我國第一位國籍主教羅文藻(1616~1691)一生敬天愛人、栖遑奔走傳揚福音，摩頂放踵、為天人之間的橋樑，特以「文藻」為校名，期使文藻學生能效法羅公文藻遠慮明智、傳揚真理、溝通文化、敬天慕道、博愛眾人的精神。

中文校名全名演變過程：

1966年奉核設校，為五年制專科學校，學校全名為「私立文藻女子外國語文專科學校」。

1980年開始招收男生，更名為「私立文藻外國語文專科學校」。

1999年改制升格，更名為「文藻外語學院」。

2013年8月1日奉核改名為「文藻外語大學」。

英文校名演變過程 History of the School"s Name：

1966    Wen Tzao Ursuline Junior College of Modern Languages for Girls

1980    Wen Tzao Ursuline Junior College of Modern Languages

1999    Wen Tzao Ursuline  College of Modern Languages

2000    Wenzao Ursuline College of Languages

2013    Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages

 羅文藻小史：

羅公文藻，字汝鼎，號我存，公元1616年生於福建福安。公賦性溫良樸慧，能刻苦，勇於犧牲，少時慕道領洗，兼具信望愛三德。及長，傳揚聖教，不遺餘力。年三十九在馬尼拉晉升司鐸，康熙教難期間，清廷禁止國人信教，集中外籍傳教士於北京、廣州等地以限制彼等傳播福音，羅公臨危受命，四處奔走、肩負全國教務，1685年（康熙二十四年）擢升南京代牧，於廣州祝聖為主教，是為第一位中國籍主教。1691年逝世於南京。公德能兼備，謙抑和藹，一生熱誠牧靈，以成己成人為樂，為中華神職之導師，開創中國天主教史光榮偉大之聖統基礎。其德業事功，永為後人所仰懷。

When the Sisters of the Roman Union of the Order of St. Ursula were invited by Bishop Joseph Cheng, O.P. of Kaohsiung Diocese to establish a college of foreign languages, it was named "Wenzao" after Lo Wen Tzao, O.P. , the first Chinese Bishop, who had dedicated himself to preaching the Gospel, and bringing people closer to God. Bishop Lo Wen Tzao’s exemplary life of love of wisdom and truth sets an excellent example for Wenzao students.

Bishop Lo Wen Tzao (1616-1691), also known as Ru Ting or Gregory, was born in 1616 in Fuan, Fujian Province. He was both intelligent and diligent, and of a humble character. When still young he came to know the Franciscan missionaries and was baptized a Catholic. He became their ardent collaborator in the work of evangelization. In 1653 at the age of 39, he was ordained a priest in Manila. It was at the time of the Kuangxi Persecuation, when Christian belief was forbidden by the imperial Qing Dynasty. All the missionaries were constrained from preaching the Gospel and restricted to live in only two places: Beijing or Guangzhou. Lo was then assigned to undertake the challenging task of administering to the needs of the Catholic Church throughout the country. Later he was elevated as the Vicar of Nanjing. In 1685, after many obstacles, he was consecrated bishop in Guangzhou, the first Chinese Bishop in history. In 1691, Lo died peacefully in Nanjing after a long life of hardship in the Lored’s vineyard. He is revered as the mentor of Chinese clergy and pioneer in the history of the Catholic Church in China, known for his virtues of faith, hope and charity and humility, His love for God and for all people.