Rotaru is a Romanian surname meaning "wheelwright". Notable people with the surname include:
Alina Rotaru (born 1993), Romanian long jumperAlina Rotaru (harpsichordist) (born 1976), Romanian-born German harpsichordistDoina Rotaru (born 1951), Romanian composerElysia Rotaru (born 1984), Canadian actressGabriel Rotaru (born 1971), Romanian footballerIoana Rotaru (born 1984), Romanian rowerNicolae Rotaru (born 1935), Romanian sport shooterSofia Rotaru (born 1947), Soviet Ukrainian singer of Moldovan descent