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If you are looking for radiant boy names starting with R, you’ve landed in the right spot. The list below showcases 70 of the best R-names for baby boys, handpicked picked to help you on your name hunt.
Finding a baby name that is the one is no small feat. You have to consider personal taste, family tradition and an overwhelming amount of options. Having named two babies, I’ve been there myself.
That’s why I put together this list of boy names that start with R to help others on their search. I specifically picked names from a variety of name styles so there is something for everyone on the list. These names come from my years of experience as a researcher who loves analyzing baby name trends.
In this collection, you’ll find R names for boys that are timeless classics, along with modern names that are trendy and unique. Additionally, you’ll see a set of cute R names for boys and gender-neutral R options.
Each name includes details of its origin and meaning, sourced from my comprehensive database of over 2000+ names. I have been compiling this database for years from multiple sources, including discussion forums, books, pop culture, and websites.
I hope you find this selection of R names is helpful on your name search. My goal is to provide you with a thorough, carefully picked selection of boy R names to save you time and help in your decision.
And for even more name ideas, don’t miss my fun list of quadruplet name sets.
Now, let’s check out these remarkable R names for boys!
Classic Boy Names Starting with R
First up are classic boy names that start with R. These familiar names are time tested. Each name has been present on the U.S. top 1000 for most of the last century (source: Social Security Administration data).
From the names below, let me highlight Royce. Royce is a grandpa-chic name that hit peak popularity in the 1930’s. In the last decade, the name has started to enjoy a revival.
1. Rafael
- Meaning: God has healed
- Origin: Spanish; Portuguese; Hebrew
2. Ramon
- Meaning: wise protector
- Origin: Spanish; German
3. Raymond
- Meaning: counseling protector
- Origin: English
4. Reuben
- Meaning: behold a son
- Origin: Hebrew
5. Ricardo
- Meaning: Brave ruler
- Origin: Spanish
6. Richard
- Meaning: Brave ruler
- Origin: Germanic
7. Robert
- Meaning: Bright
- Origin: German
8. Rodney
- Meaning: Island near the clearing
- Origin: English
9. Roger
- Meaning: Famed spear
- Origin: German
10. Roland
- Meaning: Famous land
- Origin: German
11. Ronald
- Meaning: Ruler’s counselor
- Origin: Scottish
12. Royce
- Meaning: Son of the king
- Origin: French
13. Ruben
- Meaning: Behold, a son
- Origin: Hebrew
14. Russell
- Meaning: Red-haired
- Origin: French
Cute Boy Names That Start with R
Now let’s look at cute boy names that start with R. These personal names are charming and friendly. Cute boy R names are great for those looking for a softer name for their baby boy.
Of the cute R names for boys, I especially love Ralph for it’s grandpa-chicness. Ralph is also a very unique name today, having fallen off the top 1000 in the last decade.
15. Ralph
- Meaning: Wolf counsel
- Origin: Norse; English
16. Raylan
- Meaning: From the queen’s land
- Origin: English
17. Reid
- Meaning: Redhead
- Origin: English
18. Rene
- Meaning: Reborn
- Origin: French
19. Ricky
- Meaning: Brave ruler
- Origin: English
20. Robin
- Meaning: Songbird, bright
- Origin: German; English
21. Rodrigo
- Meaning: Famous ruler
- Origin: Spanish
22. Rohan
- Meaning: Ascending
- Origin: Sanskrit
23. Romeo
- Meaning: Pilgrim to Rome
- Origin: Italian
24. Rory
- Meaning: Red king
- Origin: Irish
25. Roscoe
- Meaning: Deer forest
- Origin: Norse
26. Rudy
- Meaning: Famous wolf
- Origin: German
27. Rupert
- Meaning: Bright fame
- Origin: German
28. Ryan
- Meaning: Little king
- Origin: Irish
Modern Boy R Names
Modern names are those names that are particularly popular today. They fit in with big name trends today, like unexpected word names, cowboy-chic names and new spellings.
I like Ridge as it fits in with many of today’s popular trends. It is a nature name (another hot trend), a new word name, and it feels like a rustic cowboy.
29. Remington
- Meaning: Raven’s town
- Origin: English
30. Ridge
- Meaning: Narrow hilltop
- Origin: English
31. Riggs
- Meaning: One who lives by the ridge
- Origin: English
32. Rocco
- Meaning: Rest
- Origin: Italian
33. Rocky
- Meaning: Stony
- Origin: English
34. Roman
- Meaning: From Rome
- Origin: Latin
35. Rome
- Meaning: Citizen of Rome
- Origin: Latin
36. Ronan
- Meaning: Little seal
- Origin: Irish
37. Royal
- Meaning: Royalty
- Origin: French; English
38. Ryder
- Meaning: Horseman
- Origin: English
39. Ryker
- Meaning: Rich
- Origin: German
Unique R Names for Boys
Next we have unique names that start with R for boys. These names include rare names out of the top 500 and quirky, unexpected word names.
I’d like to highlight Rafferty, which feels like a classic name but in fact has never charted in the U.S. Raffy and Raff are both charming nicknames to go with it.
40. Rafferty
- Meaning: Prosperous
- Origin: Irish
41. Ragnar
- Meaning: Warrior
- Origin: Norse
42. Raiden
- Meaning: God of thunder and lightning
- Origin: Japanese
43. Rain
- Meaning: Rain shower
- Origin: English
44. Ravi
- Meaning: Sun
- Origin: Sanskrit
45. Rayan
- Meaning: Wise, plentiful
- Origin: Persian; Arabic
46. Rayden
- Meaning: Thunder
- Origin: Modern English
47. Robinson
- Meaning: Son of Robin
- Origin: English
48. Row
- Meaning: Rowan tree
- Origin: Irish, Scottish
Short R Boy Names
These snappy boy R names are all either 4-letters or less, or only one syllable. Short names are easily wearable and good for those who may want to avoid future nicknames.
From the short R boy names, I like Rex and Ross. Ross has fallen off the charts in the last decade so a future Ross is likely to be the only one in his class.
49. Raul
- Meaning: Wolf counsel
- Origin: Spanish
50. Ray
- Meaning: Counseling protector
- Origin: English
51. Rex
- Meaning: King
- Origin: Latin
52. Rey
- Meaning: King
- Origin: Spanish
53. Rhett
- Meaning: Counsel
- Origin: Latin
54. Rhys
- Meaning: Fiery
- Origin: Welsh
55. Rio
- Meaning: River
- Origin: Spanish/Portuguese
56. Ross
- Meaning: Headland
- Origin: Scottish
57. Roux
- Meaning: Red
- Origin: Latin; French
58. Roy
- Meaning: King; Red
- Origin: Irish; French
59. Rue
- Meaning: Herb
- Origin: English
Gender Neutral R Names for Boys
We close the list with gender neutral R names. Unisex names are all the fashion and have the added benefit of giving your baby flexibility in the future.
We used gender neutral names for our kids so I have a soft spot for these names. We came very close to naming our second baby Reese.
If you also like unisex names, don’t miss my list of unisex nature-inspired names.
60. Rae
- Meaning: Shy one, doe
- Origin: English
61. Randy
- Meaning: Wolf
- Origin: English
62. Raven
- Meaning: Large black passerine bird
- Origin: English
63. Reagan
- Meaning: Little ruler
- Origin: Irish
64. Reese
- Meaning: Ardent
- Origin: Welsh
65. Reign
- Meaning: Sovereign
- Origin: English
66. Remy
- Meaning: Oarsman
- Origin: French; Latin
67. Riley
- Meaning: Wood clearing
- Origin: English; Irish
68. River
- Meaning: Wide stream of fresh water
- Origin: English
69. Rowan
- Meaning: Red-haired, rowan tree
- Origin: Irish; English
70. Rylan
- Meaning: Island meadow
- Origin: English
Looking for more R names? Head on over to my list of R names for girls.
