Choosing a name for your baby boy can feel exciting and overwhelming, especially when you want something meaningful and full of character. If you’re drawn to the letter R, you’ll find names with a wide range of sounds, histories, and styles.

This list of boy names that start with R includes a meaning or origin for each one. As you make a shortlist, try saying the names with your last name and thinking about the nicknames you might use.

Boy Names That Start With R

The names are grouped by style and listed alphabetically within each section, making it easier to compare the options that catch your attention.

10 Popular Boy Names That Start With R

According to 2025 data from the Social Security Administration, these R boy names ranked in the U.S. top 1,000. They are listed alphabetically, not by rank.¹

1. Rhett — A Dutch name meaning “to advise.”

2. Richard — German for “dominant ruler.”

3. Riley — English for “rye clearing” and Irish for “courageous.”

4. River — In English, this name means “a flowing body of water.”

5. Robert — This name means “bright fame” in German.

6. Roman — In Latin, this name means “citizen of Rome.”

7. Rowan — Scottish for “rowan tree” and Irish for “little redhead.”

8. Ryan — An Irish name meaning “little king.”

9. Ryder — English for “cavalryman” or “messenger.”

10. Ryker — This name means “rich” in German.

10 Familiar Boy Names That Start With R

1. Rafael — Spanish for “God has healed.”

2. Raymond — A German name meaning “wise protector.”

3. Reid — In English, this name means “red-haired.”

4. Remington — English for “place on a riverbank.”

5. Remy — This name means “oarsman” in French.

6. Ricardo — Portuguese and Spanish for “dominant ruler.”

7. Romeo — An Italian name meaning “pilgrim to Rome.”

8. Ronan — This Irish name means “little seal.”

9. Rory — Irish for “red king.”

10. Russell — This name means “redhead” or “fox colored” in French.

19 Modern Boy Names That Start With R

1. Raddix — Latin for “root.”

2. Radiant — In English, this name means “shining” or “glowing brightly.”

3. Raiden — Japanese for “thunder and lightning.”

4. Rayan — An Arabic name meaning “land that’s lush and rich in water.”

5. Reason — English for “a statement offered in explanation.”

6. Reece — This name means “ardor” in Welsh.

7. Reign — English for “rule.”

8. Relic — This is an English word for an ancient artifact.

9. Rex — A Latin name meaning “king.”

10. Righteous — This name means “moral” or “ethical” in English.

11. Rio — In Spanish, this name means “river.”

12. Ripley — English for “strip of clearing in the woods.”

13. Rise — This English name means “to lift up.”

14. Rocco — Italian for “rest.”

15. Royal — A French name meaning “the kingly one.”

16. Royce — This name means “son of the king” in English.

17. Rule — French for “famous wolf.”

18. Rumi — A Japanese name whose meaning depends on the kanji used.

19. Ryatt — This name means “little king” in Irish and “brave in war” in English.

6 Biblical Boy Names That Start With R

1. Ram — Arabic for “archer” and Sanskrit for “pleasing.”

2. Raphael — In Hebrew, this name means “God has healed.”

3. Rehoboam — This name means “who sets the people at liberty” in Hebrew.

4. Reuben — A Hebrew name meaning “behold, a son.”

5. Reuel — Hebrew for “friend of God.”

6. Rufus — This name means “redhead” in Latin.

28 Old-Fashioned Boy Names That Start With R

1. Radcliff — This name means “red cliff” in English.

2. Ralph — English for “wolf counsel.”

3. Ramses — An ancient Egyptian name meaning “he is born of Ra.”

4. Randall — This name means “shield wolf” in English.

5. Randolph — This name is also English for “shield wolf.”

6. Redmond — An Irish name meaning “wise protector.”

7. Reginald — This name means “counsel power” in English.

8. Regis — French for “kingly.”

9. Reilly — An Irish name meaning “courageous.”

10. Rene — French for “reborn.”

11. Rensselaer — This name means “from Rensselaer, Gelderland” in Dutch.

12. Richmond — In German, this name means “powerful protector.”

13. Roald — This Norwegian name means “famous ruler.”

14. Robertson — English for “son of Robert.”

15. Robinson — An English name meaning “son of Robin.”

16. Rockefeller — This German name means “from Rockenfeld.”

17. Rodrick — German for “famous ruler.”

18. Roger — This German name means “famous warrior.”

19. Roland — A German name meaning “famous throughout the land.”

Preparing for Birth? Start Here.

Short, practical lessons to help you feel more prepared, supported, and ready for birth.

Start Your Birth Prep

20. Romulus — Latin for “citizen of Rome.”

21. Ronald — This Norse name means “ruler’s counselor.”

22. Roosevelt — This name means “rose field” in Dutch.

23. Ross — English for “upland” and Scottish for “peninsula.”

24. Rousseau — A French name meaning “little redhead.”

25. Ruben — In Hebrew, this name means “behold, a son.”

26. Rudy — This name means “famous wolf” in German.

27. Rupert — German for “bright fame.”

28. Rutherford — English for “cattle ford.”

20 Cute Boy Names That Start With R

1. Rae — English for “ewe.”

2. Rafi — A Spanish name meaning “God has healed.”

3. Ralphie — This name is English for “wolf counsel.”

4. Ray — This name means “wise protector” in German.

5. Reagan — An Irish name meaning “little king.”

6. Reddy — Middle English for “prepared.”

7. Renley — An English name meaning “clearing” or “meadow.”

8. Ricky — In German, this name means “peaceful ruler.”

9. Rico — Spanish for “dominant ruler.”

10. Riku — Japanese for “land” or “continent.”

11. Ritchie — A German name meaning “dominant ruler.”

12. Robbie — English for “bright fame.”

13. Robin — This name is also English for “bright fame.”

14. Rocky — English for “rock” and Italian for “rest.”

15. Roe — An English nature name for a type of deer.

16. Rollie — A German name meaning “famous throughout the land.”

17. Romari — In French, this name means “glorious ruler.”

18. Rubeus — Latin for “red” or “reddish.”

19. Rudolph — This name means “famous wolf” in German.

20. Rue — An English name for an herb or “regret.”

37 Cool Boy Names That Start With R

1. Rad — English for “adviser.”

2. Ragnar — A Norse name meaning “warrior” or “judgment.”

3. Rainier — This name means “wise army” in German.

4. Rambo — A Swedish name meaning “Raven’s Hill.”

5. Ramon — Catalan for “wise protector.”

6. Ramsey — This name means “low-lying land” in English.

7. Ransom — An English word name meaning “payment for release.”

8. Raul — Spanish for “wolf counsel.”

9. Ravi — A Sanskrit name meaning “sun.”

10. Rebel — English for “defiant person.”

11. Red — This is an English nickname used for someone with red hair.

12. Remus — A Latin name meaning “oar” or “twin.”

13. Ren — Japanese for “water lily” or “lotus.”

14. Renegade — An English name meaning “defector” or “rebel.”

15. Revere — In Middle English, this name means “to admire.”

16. Reyes — A Spanish name meaning “kings.”

17. Rhys — Welsh for “ardor.”

18. Riaz — An Arabic name meaning “meadows” or “gardens.”

19. Rigden — English for “valley by the stream.”

20. Ringo — A Japanese name whose meaning depends on the kanji used; ringo is also the Japanese word for “apple.”

21. Riot — This is an English word name that means “violent civil disorder.”

22. Ritter — German for “knight” or “mounted warrior.”

23. Rivera — In Spanish, this name means “bank” or “shore.”

24. Roberto — This name means “bright fame” in Italian and Spanish.

25. Rockwell — An English name meaning “rock spring.”

26. Rodrigo — This name means “famous ruler” in Spanish and Portuguese.

27. Rodriguez — Spanish for “son of Rodrigo.”

28. Rogan — An Irish name meaning “redhead.”

29. Rogelio — In Spanish, this name means “famous spearman.”

30. Rogue — English for “independent” or “uncontrolled.”

31. Rohan — This name means “sandalwood” in Hindi.

32. Rook — An English word name for a black bird in the crow family. It is also the name of a chess piece.

33. Rudd — An English name meaning “red” or “ruddy.”

34. Rudyard — This name means “red enclosure” in English.

35. Rune — The meaning of this name is “secret” in German and Swedish.

36. Rush — English for “basket weaver.”

37. Ryu — A Japanese name that can mean “dragon,” depending on the kanji used.

15 Country Boy Names That Start With R

1. Ralston — English for “Ralph’s settlement.”

2. Randy — An English name meaning “shield wolf.”

3. Rawlings — This name means “son of Raul” in English.

4. Reggie — English for “counsel power.”

5. Reynolds — This name means “powerful counsel” in German.

6. Riff — This is the English word for a short musical phrase.

7. Rigby — An English name meaning “ridge farm.”

8. Riles — English for “rye hill.”

9. Rod — This name means “famous ruler” in English.

10. Rodney — In English, this name means “island near the clearing.”

11. Roper — This is an English occupational name for a rope maker.

12. Rowdy — An English name meaning “loud” or “spirited.”

13. Rowley — English for “rough clearing.”

14. Roy — French for “king” and Celtic for “red-haired.”

15. Rusty — A French name meaning “redhead.”

16 Western Boy Names That Start With R

1. Rafferty — An Irish name meaning “abundance” or “prosperity.”

2. Rancher — This is an English occupational name for someone who works on a ranch.

3. Ranger — An English occupational word name for someone who patrols or protects an area.

4. Reeves — This is an English occupational name for a bailiff.

5. Reno — A place name and surname associated with the Nevada city.

6. Rhodes — A Greek name meaning “where roses grow.”

7. Rich — English for “old, wise ruler.”

8. Ridge — An English word for an elevated body part or structure.

9. Riggs — This name means “one who lives on the ridge” in English.

10. Rip — In Dutch, this name means “strength” or “might.”

11. Rooney — English and Gaelic for “descendant of the champion.”

12. Roscoe — This Norse name means “deer forest.”

13. Russ — French for “redhead.”

14. Rydell — A Swedish name meaning “of the woodland clearing.”

15. Rye — An English nature name associated with the grain.

16. Ryland — This name means “place where rye is grown” in Old English.

44 Unique Boy Names That Start With R

1. Racer — An English name meaning “to race.”

2. Racham — Hebrew for “mercy” or “compassion.”

3. Radar — An English acronym for radio detection and ranging.

4. Radburn — This name means “reedy stream” in English.

5. Radley — English for “red meadow.”

6. Radovan — A Croatian name meaning “happy.”

7. Rahim — This Arabic name means “empathetic” or “merciful.”

8. Raine — A French name meaning “ruler.”

9. Raj — Arabic for “hope” and Sanskrit for “ruler.”

10. Ramesh — In Sanskrit, this name means “one who is the god of Rama, husband of Lakshmi.”

11. Rasalas — An Arabic name meaning “the northern star of the lion’s head.”

12. Rasmus — Finnish and Scandinavian for “beloved” or “desired.”

13. Raven — An English word name for the black bird.

14. Reed — English for “red-haired.”

15. Regulus — In Latin, this name means “prince.”

16. Renatus — A Latin name meaning “reborn.”

17. Renji — A Japanese name whose meaning depends on the kanji used.

18. Renner — This name means “messenger” in English and “to run” in German.

19. Renon — French and Italian for “place and surname.” It’s derived from the name of a place in Italy.

20. Renzo — This Italian name means “from Laurentium.”

21. Revello — In Catalan, this name means “wild olive tree.”

22. Reyansh — This name means “ray of light” in Hindi.

23. Rhisiart — Welsh for “brave ruler.”

24. Rhythm — An English word name associated with beat and flow.

25. Riah — A Hebrew name meaning “the Lord has remembered.”

26. Ridley — English for “cleared wood.”

27. Riordan — This Irish name means “bard” or “royal poet.”

28. Rishi — This name means “sage” in Sanskrit.

29. Riven — In English, the name means “to split.”

30. Roark — An Irish name meaning “illustrious and mighty.”

31. Rocket — English for “jet-propelled tube.”

32. Rohmer — German for “pilgrim” or “fate.”

33. Rojo — In Spanish, this name means “red.”

34. Roko — This Croatian name means “rest.”

35. Rollo — A Latinized form of Roul, derived from Germanic elements meaning “fame” and “wolf.”

36. Ronin — A modern variant of Ronan that also coincides with the Japanese term for a masterless samurai.

37. Ronson — This name means “son of Ronald” in Scottish.

38. Rooster — English for “roosting bird.”

39. Rosen — German for “rose” and Bulgarian for “burning bush.”

40. Roux — In French, this name means “russet.”

41. Ruger — A German name meaning “renowned spear.”

42. Ruskin — This Scottish name means “from a family of tanners.”

43. Ruslan — Slavic for “lion.”

44. Rustam — A Persian name meaning “tall” and “brave.”

51 Rare Boy Names That Start With R

1. Raanan — A Hebrew name meaning “fresh” or “luxuriant.”

2. Rabi — Arabic for “gentle wind.”

3. Race — English for “compete.”

4. Radek — Czech for “happy” and Polish for “willing.”

5. Rader — This is a German occupational name for a wheelwright.

6. Radi — This name means “adviser” in English.

7. Radimir — Russian for “famously happy.”

8. Raed — An Arabic name meaning “pioneer” or “leader.”

9. Rafa — An Arabic name meaning “happiness” and “prosperity.”

10. Rafif — This name means “glittering” or “gleaming” in Urdu.

11. Rafiq — This Arabic name means “friend” or “companion.”

12. Raghav — This name means “son of Raghu” in Sanskrit.

13. Rahem — Arabic for “compassionate.”

14. Rai — A Japanese name whose meaning depends on the kanji used.

15. Raidon — A modern spelling of Raiden, a Japanese name meaning “thunder and lightning.”

16. Rajah — A title derived from Sanskrit meaning “king” or “ruler.”

17. Raleigh — This name means “deer meadow” in English.

18. Rama — This name means “lofty” in Sanskrit.

19. Ramiro — Portuguese for “great judge.”

20. Ramy — This name means “archer” in Arabic and “pleasing” in Sanskrit.

21. Ramzi — An Arabic name meaning “symbolic” or “sign.”

22. Rana — The meaning of this name is “king” in Sanskrit.

23. Rand — English for “living on a riverbank.”

24. Rani — A Hebrew name meaning “my song” or “my joy.”

25. Rashan — This name means “one who has a good sense of judgment” in Pahlavi.

26. Ravine — English for “chasm” or “gulley.”

27. Rea — This Greek name means “a flowing stream.”

28. Remo — This is an Italian occupational name for an oarsman.

29. Renz — This name means “from Laurentium” in Italian.

30. Rexton — English for “king’s town.”

31. Rhema — A Greek name meaning “that which is spoken.”

32. Rian — Irish for “little king.”

33. Rida — This name means “devoted to God” and has Portuguese and Arabic roots.

34. Ridwan — An Arabic name meaning “satisfied.”

35. Rieker — German for “powerful army.”

36. Riel — Hebrew for “God is my strength.”

37. Rigel — An Arabic name meaning “foot.”

38. Riki — German for “dominant ruler.”

39. Rilan — The meaning of this name is “from the Rye land” in English.

40. Rivaldo — A Portuguese-language given name with Germanic roots.

41. Rivan — This name means “horse rider” in Hindi.

42. Roar — A Scandinavian name derived from elements meaning “fame” and “spear.”

43. Roby — This name means “bright fame” in English.

44. Rocklin — This name means “rock meadow” in English.

45. Roel — German for “famous throughout the land.”

46. Roi — French for “king” or Celtic for “red-haired.”

47. Ronell — A modern name related to Ronald, which comes from an Old Norse name meaning “ruler’s adviser.”

48. Roni — This name means “my song” or “my joy” in Hebrew.

49. Rosh — The meaning of this name is “chief” in Hebrew.

50. Ryley — An Irish name meaning “courageous.”

51. Ryver — A modern spelling of River, an English nature name.

After you make a shortlist, set it aside for a few days and come back to it. You may find that a few names still stand out when you say them with your last name or picture using them every day.

For more ideas, visit our full baby names hub or continue with the related name lists below.

• Modern Baby Boy Names
• Biblical Baby Boy Names
• Old-Fashioned Baby Names for Girls and Boys
• Cute Baby Boy Names
• Cool Baby Boy Names
• Country Baby Boy Names
• Powerful and Strong Baby Boy Names
• Unique Baby Boy Names and Their Meanings
• Rare Baby Boy Names
• Baby Names With Great Nicknames