Roe

English, Scottish, Irish, Norwegian, or Korean surname
"roe deer; wise protector; son of Ruadh; red; clearing; ability"

Roe Origin and Meaning

The name Roe is a girl's name meaning "roe deer; wise protector; son of Ruadh; red; clearing; ability".

In the US, the multicultural surname Roe is primarily associated with the landmark Supreme Court case Roe vs. Wade, which granted the federal right to abortion, though elsewhere it might be associated with fish eggs or a small breed of reddish deer.

The name itself has a number of possible origins, including: from a Proto-Indo-European word rei meaning "streaked, striped"; a Middle English variant of Ray; a Norwegian name meaning "clearing"; an Irish surname linked to Ruadh meaning "red", or a Korean surname, possibly meaning "thunder" or "ability".

It's never been popular as a given name but is seen as a nickname for names such as Monroe, Roscoe, and Rowan. Soundalike Rowe is used slightly more often.

Famous People Named Roe

  • (Lacy) Roe Campbell
    American male football player

Roe in Pop Culture

  • Aurora "Roe" Teagarden
    main character in mystery novels by Charlaine Harris
  • Roe v. Wade
    Supreme Court case that legalized abortion in the United States
  • Roe
    term for fish eggs

Roe in Nameberry Blog Posts