Shireen

Shireen is a feminine given name of Persian origin, commonly used in Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and among diaspora communities. It is a variant spelling of Shirin, meaning “sweet” or “pleasant.” The name is also found in Turkish and Urdu-speaking cultures, with transliterations such as Şirin and Shirin.

Etymology and literary significance are central to the name. Derived from the Persian شیرین (shirin), it conveys a sense of sweetness. Shirin is a prominent figure in Persian literature, most famously as the heroine of the romantic tale of Khosrow and Shirin, a story that has influenced poetry, art, and music for centuries and helped popularize the name across cultures.

In modern usage, Shireen is used across South Asia and the Middle East among Muslim and non-Muslim communities, and has found recognition in English-speaking and other international contexts. Variants and transliterations are common, reflecting different languages and alphabets while preserving the original meaning.

Notable people with this name include Shireen Abu Akleh, a Palestinian-American journalist for Al Jazeera who was killed in 2022, an event that brought international attention to the name. The form Shireen may also appear in fictional characters and in place names, but the name remains primarily recognized as a given name associated with sweetness and grace.