Boy Names That Start With R

Choosing a name for your baby boy can be a delightful yet challenging task, especially if you’re looking for names that start with the letter R.

Whether you’re continuing a family tradition or simply love names that begin with this letter, you can find a wonderful variety of options.

This article presents some popular and unique R names for boys to help you in your decision-making process.

Popular Boy Names That Start With R

Ryan

Ryan comes from the Irish surname Ó Riain, possibly meaning “little king.” It gained popularity from the mid-20th century, especially after the movie Ryan’s Daughter in the 1970s.

Canadian actors Ryan Gosling and Ryan Reynolds are renowned bearers of this name.

Roman

Roman originates from the Late Latin name Romanus, meaning “Roman.” Several early saints carried this name, giving it historical significance.

Robert

Robert traces back to the Germanic name Hrodebert, with elements meaning “fame” and “bright.”

Brought to Britain by the Normans, it evolved into Robert and has been a common name from the 13th to the 21st century.

Notable figures include Scottish poet Robert Burns and actors Robert Redford, Robert De Niro, and Robert Downey Jr.

Rowan

Rowan has origins in the Old Irish word for “red” or the rowan tree. It is a unisex name, but famous male examples include British comedian Rowan Atkinson and Archbishop Rowan Williams.

River

River derives from the English word for a flowing body of water. American actor River Phoenix is a well-known example, bringing popularity to the name for boys.

Ryker

Ryker is a variant of the German surname Roker, from the Low German word rike, meaning “rich.” It became trendy along with names like Ryan and Ryder at the end of the 20th century.

Rhett

Rhett is an Anglicized form of the Dutch de Raedt, meaning “advice” or “counsel.”

Its popularity is largely due to the character Rhett Butler in Margaret Mitchell’s Gone with the Wind.

Riley

Riley has roots in an Irish surname and could also come from the Old English word for “rye clearing.”

Once rare and exclusive to boys, it gained popularity for both genders in the 1980s and 1990s.

Ronan

Ronan means “little seal” in Old Irish and was used by several saints in Ireland.

Notable people with this name include Irish singer Ronan Keating and journalist Ronan Farrow.

Raymond

Raymond comes from the Germanic name Raginmund, combining words that mean “advice” and “protector.”

Introduced to England by the Normans, it morphed from Reimund to Raymond.

American writer Ray Bradbury was born as Raymond.

Unique Boy Names That Start With R

Rabindra

This is the Bengali form of Ravindra, which means “lord of the sun” in Sanskrit. It’s also another name for the Hindu god Surya, the god of the sun.

Radomir

Radomir has its roots in medieval Slavic. It draws from the Slavic element rad, which means “happy” or “willing,” and meru, meaning “great” or “famous.”

It could also have roots in the word miru, meaning “peace” or “world.”

Raeburn

This name comes from a Scottish surname with roots in a place name meaning “stream where deer drank.”

Scottish portrait painter Sir Henry Raeburn is an example of a bearer with this as a surname.

Raiden

Raiden comes from the Japanese words rai, meaning “thunder,” and den, meaning “lightning.”

In Japanese mythology, this is the regional epithet of the god Raijin, the Japanese god of thunder and storms.

Ramūnas

This name derives from the Lithuanian word ramus, meaning “calm” combined with a patronymic suffix.

Rareş

The meaning of this Romanian name is uncertain, but it could have its roots in the word rar, meaning “sparse” or “rarer.”

The sixteenth-century ruler of Moldavia, Petru Rareş, bore this name.

Raven

Like in Edgar Allen Poe’s poem, the name Raven refers to the black bird. It has its roots in Old English and is associated with the Norse god Odin.

This bird is also revered by several Native American groups on the west coast. It’s a majestic and mysterious name.

Răzvan

This Romanian name is most likely related to Radovan, meaning “happy” or “willing” in medieval Slavic.

Some say it came to Romania from India with the Roma community and may mean “bringer of good news” in Romani.

Regulus

Regulus means “prince” or “little king” in Latin.

Astronomy lovers might like this name as it’s the name of a star in the constellation of Leo, making it a good name for a boy born under this sign.

Rembrandt

Rembrandt comes from a Germanic name made up of the elements ragin, meaning “advice,” and brand, “sword.”

The most famous person with this name is Dutch painter Rembrandt van Rijn.

Hebrew and Biblical Boy Names That Start With R

Raguel

Raguel is the Latin variation of Reuel and makes an appearance in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Exodus.

This name is used as an alternate name for Jethro. Additionally, an archangel by this name can be found in the apocryphal Book of Enoch.

Ram

Ram means “exalted” in Hebrew. He is noted as the son of Hezron in the Old Testament.

Interestingly, the name Ram is also used in India as the modern form of Rama.

Raphael

Raphael translates to “God heals” in Hebrew.

This name belongs to one of the archangels who appears in the Book of Tobit.

While not very common in English-speaking countries, Raphael is popular in Europe. The name is also associated with the Renaissance Italian artist Raphael Sanzio.

Rehoboam

Rehoboam originates from a Hebrew name that means “he enlarges people.”

In the Old Testament, Rehoboam is known as the son of Solomon.

Remiel

Remiel is a spelling sometimes used for Jeremiel, another archangel.

Remiel or Jeremiel is also known by the name Uriel in some scriptures.

Reuben

Reuben means “behold, a son” in Hebrew.

He is the eldest son of Jacob and Leah in the Old Testament. Reuben is also the ancestor of one of the twelve tribes of Israel.

Reuel

Reuel means “friend of God” in Hebrew and is occasionally used in the Old Testament as another name for Jethro.

The author of The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, also had this name.

Rufus

Rufus originates from Latin and means “red-haired.”

The name is mentioned in one of Paul’s epistles in the New Testament.

It gained popularity in the English-speaking world after the Protestant Reformation.

Rotem

Rotem likely comes from a Hebrew word meaning “to bind,” but is also a name for a type of desert plant.

Ronen

Ronen is a Hebrew name that means “song” or “joy.”

Cool Boy Names That Start With R

Royle

Royle comes from a surname with its roots in a place name meaning “rye hill” in Old English.

Rashawn

This name combines Shawn with the prefix ra. It’s popular within the African-American community.

Radzim

This Polish name is the short form of Radzimierz, which is the Polish variation of Radomir.

Rocco

Rocco originates from the Germanic element hrok, meaning “rest.”

The name gained fame in Italy and was carried by a fourteenth-century French saint who aided the sick.

Rocco has also been popularized by notable figures like the son of American pop star Madonna and British director Guy Ritchie.

Ryder

Ryder comes from the Old English word ridere, meaning “mounted warrior” or “messenger.”

It saw a rise in popularity in the late 1990s and early 2000s, brushing shoulders with names like Ryan and Riley.

Rameses

Rameses has Ancient Egyptian roots and means “born of Ra,” referring to the sun god.

This was a common name among Egyptian pharaohs, including Rameses II the Great.

Roosevelt

Roosevelt originated from a Dutch surname meaning “rose field.”

It is often used as a first name in honor of American presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Ronald

Ronald is the Scottish form of the Scandinavian name Ragnvaldr, derived from Old Norse elements meaning “advice” or “counsel” and “power” or “ruler.”

Ronald gained widespread popularity in the twentieth century, partly due to American president Ronald Reagan.

Ross

Ross was originally a place name in northern Scotland, stemming from the Gaelic word ros, meaning “promontory” or “headland.”

It was popularized by people like Antarctic explorer Sir James Clark Ross and the character Ross Geller from the sitcom Friends.

Russell

Russell means “little red one” in Old French and was brought to England by the Normans.

Initially a surname, like that of philosopher Bertrand Russell, it has also been used as a first name.

Notable bearers include Australian actor Russell Crowe and British comedian Russell Brand.

International R Names for Boys

Rahim

Rahim means “kind” and “compassionate” in Arabic. It’s one of the 99 names of Allah.

Rafayel

This is the Armenian form of Raphael.

Ruslan

Ruslan is derived from the Russian name Yeruslan, which comes from a Tatar word meaning “lion.”

Aleksandr Pushkin used it in his poem Ruslan and Ludmila, inspired by Tatar tales of Yeruslan Lazarevich.

Radovan

Radovan comes from the Slavic root rad, meaning “happy” or “willing.”

It’s common in Slovak, Czech, Serbian, and Croatian-speaking countries.

René

This is the French form of Renatus. It was the name of French philosopher René Descartes and Belgian artist René Magritte.

Rainer

Rainer is the German form of Rayner, meaning “advice” and “army.”

The Austrian poet Rainer Maria Rilke is a famous bearer of this name.

Ramiro

This name is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Ramirus. It means “advice” and “famous” in Old Germanic.

An example is Argentinian soccer player Ramiro Funes Mori.

Romeo

Romeo means “from Rome” in Late Latin and is well-known through Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

Rahul

Rahul means “able” and “efficient” in Sanskrit.

It was the name given by Gautama Buddha to his son and is a popular name for lead characters in Bollywood films like Chennai Express, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, and Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham.

Ragnar

Ragnar is the Scandinavian form of Rayner and is used in Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Faro Islands, and Estonia.

Cute Boy Names That Start With R

Ralphie

Ralphie is a shortened form of the name Ralph. It has a friendly and charming sound, making it a lovely choice for a little boy.

Radu

Radu is an old Romanian name that comes from Slavic names starting with “rad.” Names like Radomir and Radovan are examples.

Radu was also a thirteenth-century ruler of Wallachia.

Roald

Roald is a Norwegian name that originates from Old Norse elements meaning “fame” and “ruler.”

Famous bearers of this name include polar explorer Roald Amundsen and children’s author Roald Dahl.

Rocky

Rocky is often a diminutive of Rocco or similar names. It can also be a nickname for a tough person.

Popularized by the character in the famous Rocky films starring Sylvester Stallone.

Robin

Robin originally comes from the name Robert but has grown into a standalone name. It’s also the name of a red-breasted bird.

The legendary Robin Hood and actor Robin Williams are famous namesakes.

Rodney

Rodney comes from an English surname and refers to “Hroda’s island” in Old English.

It became a first name in the eighteenth century to honor British admiral Lord Rodney.

Rupert

Rupert is the German version of Robert. It was introduced to England in the seventeenth century by Prince Rupert of the Rhine.

Popular in culture with characters like Rupert Bear and actors Rupert Everett and Rupert Grint.

Rabbie

Rabbie is a Scottish diminutive for Robert, best known as the nickname for the famous Scottish poet Robert Burns, also known as Rabbie Burns.

Roddy

Roddy can be a diminutive of either Roderick or Rodney. It’s a short and sweet name option with a friendly ring to it.

Rangi

Rangi means “sky” in Maori. In Maori and other Polynesian mythology, Rangi is the god of the sky.

This name carries a sense of grandeur and vastness.

Short Names That Start With R for Boys

Ra

Ra is the name of the Egyptian god of the sun. In Ancient Egyptian, it means “sun” or “day”.

Rafe

Rafe is a version of Ralph. It was a well-liked name in the seventeenth century.

Ray

Ray is a short form of Raymond, but it can also stand alone as a name. It means “beam of light” in English.

Famous names include musician Ray Charles.

Re

Re is another way to spell the name Ra.

Red

Red comes from the English word for the color. It originates from the Old English word read.

It was often used as a nickname for someone with a red complexion.

Rhys

Rhys comes from an Old Welsh word meaning “ardor” or “enthusiasm.”

Many Welsh rulers had this name, and it remains popular in Wales. Notable people include Welsh actor Rhys Ifans and Irish actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers.

Rin

Rin means “dignified,” “severe,” or “cold” in Japanese.

Rolf

Rolf is derived from the Germanic name Hrolf, which was a short form of Rudolf.

It was brought to England by the Normans. A well-known person with this name is Australian artist and TV personality Rolf Harris.

Roy

Roy is the anglicized form of Ruadh, which means “red” in Scottish Gaelic.

Scottish outlaw Rob Roy is a famous example, along with American pop artist Roy Liechtenstein, American singer-songwriter Roy Orbison, and Irish soccer manager Roy Keane.

Ruy

Ruy is a medieval Spanish and Portuguese short form of Rodrigo.

It was another name for the eleventh-century Spanish military leader known as El Cid.

Strong R Names for Boys

Richard

Richard means “brave ruler,” derived from the Germanic elements ric and hard.

This name was introduced to Britain by the Normans and became common over time.

Famous bearers include the medieval leader Richard the Lionheart, composers Richard Wagner and Richard Strauss, President Richard Nixon, physicist Richard Feynman, actor Richard Burton, and musician Little Richard.

Rostam

Rostam likely comes from the Avestan words raodha and takhma, meaning “to grow” and “strong” or “brave.”

This name appears in the tenth-century tale Shahnameh by Ferdowsi, where Rostam is a legendary warrior hero.

Raijin

Raijin means “thunder” and “god” in Japanese.

In Japanese mythology, this name refers to the god of thunder and storms.

Rajnish

Rajnish means “lord of the night” in Sanskrit and is also an alternative name for the moon in Hindu texts.

Ralph

Ralph is a contracted form of an Old Norse name brought to England by Scandinavian settlers.

Initially spelled Ralf during the Middle Ages, it evolved into Rafe in the seventeenth century and later to Ralph in the eighteenth century.

American poet Ralph Waldo Emerson is a notable bearer of this name.

Ramsey

This name originates from a surname linked to a place name meaning “wild-garlic island” in Old English.

Well-known examples include British chef Gordon Ramsey and Ramsay Bolton from George R.R. Martin’s Song of Ice and Fire series. It can also be spelled Ramsay.

Randolf

Randolf comes from the Germanic elements that mean “rim of a shield” and “wolf.”

Introduced to England by the Normans, it became less common after the Middle Ages but regained popularity in the eighteenth century.

Roderick

Roderick is derived from the Germanic elements hrod and ric, meaning “fame” and “ruler.”

Historically used by the Visigoths, with their last king bearing this name, Roderick came to England with the Romans.

It saw a revival in popularity when Walter Scott featured it in his nineteenth-century poem The Vision of Don Roderick.

Reynard

Reynard is a Germanic name meaning “advice” and “brave” or “hardy.”

This name was brought to England by the Normans, though it never became widely popular.

Rhydderch

Rhydderch means “king” and “exalted” in Old Welsh.

A notable historical figure with this name is Rhydderch Hael, a sixth-century king of Strathclyde.

Even More Baby Boy Names Starting With R

Rab

A simple and short name, Rab fits well for a baby boy looking for a unique R name.

Rade

Rade stands out with its straightforward pronunciation and distinctive sound.

Radha

Often associated with cultural significance, Radha brings a sense of heritage.

Radim

Radim is a strong name with Eastern European roots.

Radobod

Radobod gives off a classic and timeless vibe, perfect for any era.

Radoslav

Radoslav carries with it a sense of joy and celebration.

Rafiq

Rafiq offers an international flair, adding a touch of the exotic.

Ragnall

Ragnall has a historic feel, ideal for those who appreciate tradition.

Raheem

Raheem is a name that signifies compassion and kindness.

Raimondo

Raimondo combines elegance with a dash of old-world charm.

Rama

Rama is a name that denotes strength and leadership.

Ramon

Ramon has a familiar and warm resonance, making it a comfortable choice.

Ramzan

Ramzan is a name deeply tied to cultural and religious significance.

Reese

Reese is a modern, versatile name that fits well in many contexts.

Regan

Regan offers a sense of leadership and charisma.

Reid

Reid is succinct and strong, a solid pick for any baby boy.

Reinhardt

Reinhardt exudes a sense of bravery and honor.

Renat

Renat combines simplicity with a touch of elegance.

Renato

Renato is a classic name, offering a blend of tradition and style.

Renaud

Renaud brings to mind nobility and grace.

Reza

Reza has a profound and cultural resonance.

Riad

Riad offers a unique and distinguished choice.

Ricard

Ricard is both familiar and unique, a balanced choice.

Riccardo

Riccardo adds a touch of Italian flair, making it stylish and sophisticated.

Rigel

Rigel is a stellar name, perfect for space enthusiasts.

Rimantas

Rimantas offers a rich and multifaceted name choice.

Rinaldo

Rinaldo carries an air of nobility and strength.

River

River is modern and nature-inspired, making it a refreshing pick.

Rodrigo

Rodrigo has a powerful and historic presence.

Rogier

Rogier is a stately name with a solid feel.

Rolan

Rolan is both simple and timeless.

Rollo

Rollo brings to mind old-world charm and history.

Romain

Romain is elegant and imbued with a European touch.

Romilius

Romilius offers a grand and somewhat ancient feel.

Roopertti

Roopertti is a unique and culturally rich option.

Roparzh

Roparzh stands out with its distinctive sound and heritage.

Roswell

Roswell has a mysterious and intriguing edge.

Roul

Roul is a straightforward and solid name.

Rubem

Rubem brings a sense of cultural depth and warmth.

Rudi

Rudi is a fun and lively choice.

Rufino

Rufino combines elegance with a sense of uniqueness.

Rumen

Rumen offers a strong and profound name choice.

Rune

Rune carries a sense of ancient mystique and wisdom.

Rurik

Rurik is a name rich with historical significance.

Russ

Russ is a strong and simple name.

Rusul

Rusul offers a distinct and international flair.

Rutger

Rutger brings to mind strength and resilience.

Ruud

Ruud is straightforward and solid. A dependable choice.

Ruwan

Ruwan offers a unique and gentle name option.

Ryota

Ryota is infused with cultural significance and elegance.