Named after a townland in Mevagh parish on the Rosguill Peninsula, Co. Donegal. The official spelling of the townland is Rosepenna and it is called Machaire Loiscthe in Irish, an unrelated name for the same place.
"On the application of Mr. E. H. Reid, it was Resolved – That the name Rosapenna Parade be approved for a new street on his property, situated off Rosapenna Drive. (10th July 1928)