110 top baby names beginning with R

Roll up, roll up… step this way for the best baby names beginning with R. Whether you’re looking for a short name, a cool name, a popular name or a unique name, we’ve rounded up all the top girl names and boy names beginning with R.

By Louise Baty | Last updated Jun 1, 2024

Two children and mother playing alphabet game

Looking for a name beginning with R for your baby girl or baby boy? We don’t blame you - R names are rather lovely, aren’t they? Rarer than others, such as names beginning with A, any baby with a name beginning with R may well be the only one with an R name on their class register at school. And let’s face it, it’s always nice to be a bit different.

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There are some fantastic names beginning with R for girls and boys, from the fragrant Rose for girls to the regal Rex (which literally means ‘king’). So let’s dive deeper into the world of baby names beginning with R.

How we chose the top names beginning with R

As we always do when compiling baby name articles, we first checked out the official baby name stats to find out the most popular names beginning with r. These include figures from the ONS (for names in England and Wales), the National Records of Scotland, Central Statistics Office for the Republic of Ireland and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency.

We also scoured other Mumsnet baby names articles including the most popular baby names, top boy names, top girl names and top gender-neutral names.

And, of course, we double checked the opinions of parents on our Baby Names forum to find out what they thought of certain names beginning with the letter R.

Here’s our round-up of the best baby names beginning with R.

Girl names beginning with R

1. Rachel

  • Origin: Hebrew

  • Meaning: Ewe

2. Radhika

  • Origin: Sanskrit

  • Meaning: Prosperous

3. Rae

  • Origin: Hebrew

  • Meaning: Ewe

4. Raine (or Rain)

  • Origin: English

  • Meaning: Rain or queen 

5. Rani

  • Origin: Sanskrit

  • Meaning: Queen or sovereign

6. Raya

  • Origin: Hebrew

  • Meaning: Friend

7. Rebecca (or Rebekah)

  • Origin: Hebrew

  • Meaning: To tie or to bind 

8. Reeva

  • Origin: French

  • Meaning: Riverbank 

9. Renée

  • Origin: French

  • Meaning: Born again

10. Rhian

  • Origin: Welsh

  • Meaning: Maiden 

11. Rhiannon

  • Origin: Welsh

  • Meaning: Great/divine queen, goddess

12. Rhona (or Rona)

  • Origin: Scottish

  • Meaning: Mighty

13. Rielle

  • Origin: Hebrew, English (derived from Gabrielle)

  • Meaning: God is my strength

14. Rina

  • Origin: Hebrew, Latin, Greek, Sanskrit

  • Meaning: Song, joy, beloved, peace, pure or melted

15. Rita

  • Origin: Spanish, Italian

  • Meaning: Pearl  

16. Rivka (variant of Rebecca)

  • Origin: Hebrew

  • Meaning: To tie or bind together 

17. Riya

  • Origin: Sanskrit

  • Meaning: Singer 

18. Roberta

  • Origin: English

  • Meaning: Bright

 19. Rochelle

  • Origin: French

  • Meaning: Small rock 

20. Rois

  • Origin: Irish

  • Meaning: Rose

21. Róisín

  • Origin: Irish

  • Meaning: Little rose

22. Romilly (or Romily)

  • Origin: French

  • Meaning: Citizen of Rome

23. Romy (originally a diminutive of Rosemary)

  • Origin: Latin

  • Meaning: Dew of the sea

24. Roux

  • Origin: French

  • Meaning: Red

25. Rosa

  • Origin: Latin

  • Meaning: Referring to the rose flower

26. Rosalie

  • Origin: Latin

  • Meaning: Rose or gentle horse 

27. Rosalind

  • Origin: German

  • Meaning: Rose or tender horse

28. Rosaline

  • Origin: Spanish

  • Meaning: Little rose

29. Rosamaria

  • Origin: Spanish, Latin (variant of Rosemary)

  • Meaning: Dew of the sea, bitter, beloved or grace

30. Rosamund

  • Origin: Latin

  • Meaning: Rose flower

31. Rosanna

  • Origin: Latin, English

  • Meaning: Graceful rose

32. Rose 

  • Origin: Latin

  • Meaning: Rose flower

33. Rosemary

  • Origin: Latin

  • Meaning: Drop or star of the sea or the herb

34. Rosie (or Rosy)

  • Origin: English

  • Meaning: From a rose 

35. Roxanne (Roxie for short)

  • Origin: Latin

  • Meaning: Bright, shining

36. Ruby 

  • Origin: Latin

  • Meaning: From the gemstone

37. Rue

  • Origin: English and Greek

  • Meaning: Herb, regret

38. Rula

  • Origin: Latin, Arabic

  • Meaning: Model, pattern or leader

39. Rumer

  • Origin: English

  • Meaning: Rumour or gossip 

40. Rumi

  • Origin: Japanese

  • Meaning: Peaceful or flower

41. Ruth

  • Origin: Hebrew

  • Meaning: Companion  

What Mumsnetters say about girl names beginning with R

“Rosanna? This is one of my favourite names and if we ever have another baby girl, I would want this name I think.” - Mumsnet user, BallsToYouSue

“Ruth is a lovely and classic name! It is one of my favourite names.” - Mumsnet user, SkaneTos

Boy names beginning with R

42. Rafe

  • Origin: Scandinavian

  • Meaning: Counsel of the wolf

43. Rafferty

  • Origin: Irish

  • Meaning: Abundance or prosperous

44. Raiden

  • Japanese

  • Thunder and god spirit

45. Rainier

  • Origin: French

  • Meaning: Strong counsellor

46. Rajat

  • Origin: Sanskrit

  • Meaning: Silver

47. Ralph

  • Origin: Old Norse

  • Meaning: Wolf counsel

48. Randall (Randal)

  • Origin: Old German

  • Meaning: Wolf shield

49. Randolf (Randolph)

  • Origin: Old German

  • Meaning: Wolf shield

50. Raoul

  • Origin: French

  • Meaning: Wolf counsel

51. Raphael

  • Origin: Hebrew

  • Meaning: God has healed

52. Rayden

  • Origin:  English, American

  • Meaning: Wise, advice, counsel

53. Raymond (Ray)

  • Origin: German

  • Meaning: Wise protector

54. Reagan

  • Origin: Irish

  • Meaning: Little king

55. Reed (or Reid)

  • Origin: Old English

  • Meaning: Red-haired

56. Reggie

  • Origin: English

  • Meaning: Rule

57. Ren

  • Origin: Chinese

  • Meaning: Benevolent

58. Reuben

  • Origin: Hebrew

  • Meaning: Behold, a son

59. Rex

  • Origin: Latin

  • Meaning: King

60. Rhett

  • Origin: Welsh

  • Meaning: Passionate

61. Rhodri

  • Origin: Welsh

  • Meaning: Wheel ruler

62. Rhun

  • Origin: Welsh

  • Meaning: Secret

63. Rhydian

  • Origin: Welsh

  • Meaning: Ford, river

64. Rían (or Rián/ Rian)

  • Origin: Irish

  • Meaning: King

65. Riccardo

  • Origin: Italian

  • Meaning: Brave ruler

66. Richard

  • Origin: Old Norse

  • Meaning: Wolf counsel 

67. Riku

  • Origin: Japanese

  • Meaning: Land

68. Rio

  • Origin: Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese

  • Meaning: River, village or centre

69. Ríordán

  • Origin: Irish Gaelic

  • Meaning: Royal poet

70. Rishi

  • Origin: Sanskrit

  • Meaning: Sage

71. Risto

  • Origin: Finnish

  • Meaning: Christ-bearer

72. Roan

  • Origin: Scottish, Irish, Dutch

  • Meaning: Seal or a short form of the name Roeland, which means ‘famous land’

73. Robert

  • Origin: German

  • Meaning: Famous

74. Roberto

  • Origin: Italian

  • Meaning: Bright fame

75. Rocco

  • Origin: Italian

  • Meaning: Rest

76. Rohan

  • Origin: Irish, Hindi

  • Meaning: Sandalwood

77. Rollo

  • Origin: German, Estonian

  • Meaning: Wolf

78. Roman

  • Origin: Latin

  • Meaning: Of Rome 

79. Ronan

  • Origin: Irish Gaelic

  • Meaning: Little seal

80. Ronnie

  • Origin: English

  • Meaning: Ruler's counsellor

81. Rory

  • Origin: Irish

  • Meaning: Red king

82. Roscoe

  • Origin: Old Norse

  • Meaning: Deer forest

83. Ross

  • Origin: Scottish

  • Meaning: Promontory, headland, rose-coloured, wood

84. Rourke (or Rorke)

  • Origin: Irish

  • Meaning: Red

85. Royce

  • Origin: French

  • Meaning: Rose

86. Ruairí

  • Origin: Irish Gaelic

  • Meaning: Red king

87. Rudolf (or Rudolph)

  • Origin: German

  • Meaning: Wolf shield or famous wolf

88. Rudy

  • Origin: German

  • Meaning: Wolf shield or famous wolf

89. Rufus

  • Origin: Latin

  • Meaning: Red-haired

90. Rune

  • Origin: Old Norse, Germanic

  • Meaning: Secret

91. Rupert

  • Origin: German

  • Meaning: Famous

92. Russell

  • Origin: Old English, old French

  • Meaning: Little red one or red-haired

93. Ryan

  • Origin: Irish

  • Meaning: King

94. Ryder

  • Origin: English

  • Meaning: Mounted warrior

95. Rylan

  • Origin: English

  • Meaning: Land where rye is grown

96. Ryo

  • Origin: Japanese

  • Meaning: Refreshing, cool

What Mumsnetters say about boy names beginning with R

“R names? Rufus, Roman, Rowan, Rohan. There's too many nice ones!” Mumsnet user, TankGirl97

“I like it (Roscoe). Reminds me of Roscoe Mitchell. I also like Rafe, which I feel has a similar feel.” Noodlesnoodlesnoodles

Gender-neutral names beginning with R

97. Radley

  • Origin: Old English

  • Meaning: Red meadow

98. Raven

  • Origin: English

  • Meaning: Bird raven

99. Remi (or Remy)

  • Origin: French, Nigerian

  • Meaning: Rower, God consoles me

100. Rhys (or Reece/Reese)

  • Origin: Welsh

  • Meaning: Enthusiasm or ardour

101. Ritchie

  • Origin: English

  • Meaning: Strong or brave ruler

102. Rickie (or Ricky)

  • Origin: English

  • Meaning: Strong or brave ruler 

103. Riley

  • Origin: Irish

  • Meaning: Courageous or valiant 

104. River

  • Origin: English

  • Meaning: A body of flowing water

105. Robbie

  • Origin: English (diminutive of Robert/Robert/Robin or Robyn)

  • Meaning: Bright fame

106. Robin (Robyn)

  • Origin: English

  • Meaning: Bright fame

107. Rowan

  • Origin: Irish/Scottish

  • Meaning: Little redhead

108. Rui

  • Origin: Chinese, Japanese

  • Meaning: Sharp, Beauty or depth

109. Rumi

  • Origin: Japanese 

  • Meaning: Peaceful or flow

110. Ryder

  • Origin: Old English

  • Horseman or rider

What Mumsnetters say about gender-neutral baby names beginning with R

“My friend's DD is called Raven, it is a very pretty name.” - Mumsnet user, YouWereGr8InLittleMenstruators

“I know a female Rowan and female Robin.” - Mumsnet user, Sewaccidentprone 

How to choose a baby name beginning with R

What is the best girls’ name that starts with R?

The most popular girls’ name starting with R is a fragrant and enduring classic. Adore the name Rosie? You’re not alone. This beautiful flower name for baby girls is at number 11 in the ONS top 100 list, which means lots of other parents love it too. 

If you’d like a rose-themed name which is slightly less well-used, the name Rose stands at number 68 in the ONS list. Rose can also be used as a springboard to other sweet-smelling naming possibilities.

There are many other stunning names which stem (pun intended) from it. Some more unusual Rose offshoot names, which we’ve included in our round-up of best names beginning with R, include: Rosalie, Rosanna, Rosalind, Rosaline, Rosamaria, Rosamund, Rois and Róisín.

What is the best boys’ name that starts with R?

One of the most popular names for boys beginning with R is Rory, a short and striking Irish name which stands at number 38 in the ONS for names in England and Wales, at number 6 the National Records of Scotland list, at number 34 in the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (nisra.gov.uk) for Northern Ireland and at number 74 in the Central Statistics Office list for Republic of Ireland.

The name Rory is a variant on the traditional Gaelic spelling Ruairí and other spelling variations include Ruaidrhí, Rhuari, Roary and Rorey. With the meaning ‘red king’ you couldn’t choose a more regal name for your very own little prince.

What is a rare R name?

A rare R name for girls, Rue is a French baby name currently outside the top 1000 in the ONS chart. It is, however, rising steadily in popularity, possibly being chosen by parents who love the girl name Ruby (currently at number 30 in the ONS list) and want something which sounds similar but is less well-used.

If you’re looking for a rare but stylish name for your little boy, how about Roscoe? Currently standing outside the top 500 in the ONS list for England and Wales, it’s undeniably unusual but sounds fashionable and modern because it jumps on the ‘two syllable names ending with o’ trend (think Arlo and Milo). It also sounds like the more popular Rocco, which is outside the top 100.

The gender-neutral name Remy (Remi is an alternative spelling) is a good example of a previously rare baby naming choice which suddenly finds itself in favour with new parents. This unisex name, with roots in both France and Nigeria, hits the short, cute name trend, as it’s made up of just four letters and two syllables. While it doesn’t yet appear in any of the official ‘most popular’ lists, both spellings of the name have grown dramatically in popularity for both boys and girls. For example, for boys, Remy ranked at 148 in 2021, having risen sharply in popularity in England and Wales since 2017 (to put it into context, it was at 898 in 1996. For girls, the Remi spelling is more popular and has zoomed up to 174, from 484 in 1996. Mumsnet user, MamaBear54321 says: “It’s such a gorgeous name and gender-neutral too.” 

About the author

Louise Baty writes parenting content for Mumsnet, producing product round-ups, travel guides and baby name articles. She’s also written content for Mumsnet’s sister site, Gransnet. 

Originally from West Yorkshire and now based in Nottinghamshire, Louise has worked as a features writer for consumer magazines and national newspapers for 20 years. She specialises in parenting and lifestyle features and emotional true life first-person interviews and has authored four non-fiction books on parenting and grandparenting.

Mum to two tweenagers, Louise’s own baby name choosing days may be long gone. However, she admits to having spent a LONG time deciding on her DCs’ names, together with her DP. 

For this reason, Louise has a particular interest in baby names. She understands how difficult it can be to narrow down a short list from your long list of baby names, either during pregnancy or during the sleep-deprived days following the birth of your baby. 

By compiling comprehensive and easy-to-follow baby name round-ups for Mumsnet, she hopes to provide inspiration and support to parents-to-be who are looking for the perfect name for their baby.