Róisín
/ro-SHEEN/
Róisín is an Irish girl's name pronounced /ro-SHEEN/. An affectionate and classic name that means little rose.
Meaning of Róisín
An affectionate and classic name that means little rose.
Róisín is a diminutive of the Irish word 'Rós', which is derived from the Latin 'rosa'. It emerged as a popular name in Ireland during the 16th century, often used as a poetic allegory for Ireland itself in nationalist literature and song.
- Origin
- Irish
- Pronunciation
- /ro-SHEEN/
Cultural background
The name remains a staple in Ireland and among the Irish diaspora, frequently chosen for its traditional roots and lyrical sound. It is exclusively used as a feminine given name.
Variations & nicknames
- Roisin
- Rosheen
- Róis
- Róishín
- Ro
Famous people named Róisín
Well-known namesakes — celebrities, historical figures and characters.
Róisín Murphy
Art-pop singer and songwriter known for the duo Moloko and her solo career.
Music · 1990s-present
Roisin Conaty
Award-winning stand-up comedian, writer, and actor.
Comedy · 2000s-present
Róisín Ingle
Prominent Irish journalist and columnist for The Irish Times.
Journalism · 1990s-present
Róisín McGettigan
Olympic athlete who competed in the 3000m steeplechase.
Sport · 2000s-2010s
Róisín Dubh
The 'Dark Rosaleen', a personification of Ireland in a famous 16th-century political song.
Literature · 16th century
Frequently asked about Róisín
- What does Róisín mean?
- Róisín is an Irish name meaning 'little rose'.
- How do you pronounce Róisín?
- It is typically pronounced 'ro-SHEEN' or 'row-SHEEN'.
- Is Róisín a boy or girl name?
- Róisín is a traditional Irish girl's name.
- What is the accent on the 'o' and 'i' called?
- The accent is called a 'fada', which elongates the vowel sound in the Irish language.
Love Róisín? Get more names like it
We'll email you 5 fresh Irish names each week — free, no spam.
Compare Róisín with…
Side-by-side meaning, sound and popularity.
More Irish names
See all Irish names- Casey/KAY-see/
The name means 'vigilant' or 'watchful'.
- Lennon/LEN-un/
Lennon is a name that signifies a small cloak, a lover, or a dear one.
- Ronan/RO-nan/
A charming maritime name that means little seal.
- Oisín/uh-SHEEN/
Meaning 'little deer', it is a name deeply rooted in Irish mythology and the natural world.
- Nóirín/NOH-reen/
A gentle and affectionate diminutive of Nora, signifying honor and brightness.
- Sadhbh/SIVE/
A gentle name meaning sweet and goodness, often associated with a legendary princess.
- Aoife/EE-fa/
Derived from the Gaelic word for beauty, this name was borne by a legendary warrior princess.
- Clíodhna/KLEE-u-na/
A name meaning shapely, belonging to a powerful figure in Irish folklore.