R names for boys stretch from Robert and Richard, worn by generations, to newer sounds like Ryker, River, and Rhodes. Four of them still rank inside the current U.S. top 100 for boys: Riley at #48, Rowan at #59, Robert at #92, and Ryan at #99, all measured in 2025 (1).
The SSA ties this ranking to Mother’s Day, and Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano wrote: “the unwavering care, courage, and commitment my own mother instilled in my siblings and me as the glue that held our family together” (2).
Every one of the 100 names below carries an origin, a meaning, a pronunciation, and where it actually stands in U.S. births rather than a guess. Those rankings count Social Security card applications in the United States only, so they say nothing about how a name is used elsewhere (3).
Skim for sound, or stop on the ones whose history you like. Twelve names here are rare enough that the federal data has never listed them at all, which is its own kind of answer.
Popularity at a Glance
The most popular names on this list in the United States, 1965 to 2025: Riley, Rowan, Robert, Ryan and River.
100 Popular Male Names That Start with R
Make the right choice with these cool boy names that start with R ahead.
Ra
Ra belonged to the Egyptian sun god who ruled over creation and the afterlife, which is heavy history for two letters to carry. He was often portrayed as a falcon, and the name kept that sharp, upright feel. It works as a full first name or as the shortest possible nod to a longer family name.
- Origin: Egyptian, Arabic
- Meaning: Sun
- Pronunciation: RAA
- Namesakes: Sun Ra (born Herman Blount), an American jazz composer and leader of “The Arkestra” ensemble.
- Popularity: Ra sits far down the U.S. list at #6,358 in 2025, with its best showing at #3,781 in 2023. It first appeared in the federal birth data in 1972.
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a person qualified to teach religious law, and the word doubles as a title of dignity meaning master. That gives the name a scholarly, settled feel rather than a showy one. In Arabic, Rabbi means “gentle wind.” Two very different images live inside one short name.
- Origin: Hebrew, Arabic
- Meaning: Teacher
- Pronunciation: RAH-Baey
- Variations: Rabi, Rabbie
- Popularity: Rabbi has never reached the SSA’s five-birth publication line, so U.S. federal data lists no ranking for it.
Rabbit
Rabbit derives from the first name Robert and the English “rabet.” It is also linked to the French and Dutch “robbe,” itself built on the older name Radbode. Most people will hear the animal first, and that is the appeal: soft, quick, and impossible to forget on a class list.
- Origin: English, German
- Meaning: Rabbit (animal)
- Pronunciation: RAE-Baht
- Variations: Rabbyt
- Popularity: Rabbit has never met the SSA’s five-birth cutoff, so no U.S. ranking exists for it.
Rachan
Rachan also serves as an Indian surname meaning “the great king.” Its female counterparts, Rachana and Rachna, carry the same confidence, and the two-syllable rhythm makes it feel longer than its six letters suggest.
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Creation
- Pronunciation: Raa-SHAAN
- Variations: Racham
- Popularity: Rachan has no entry in U.S. federal birth data, which only ranks names given to at least five babies in a year.
Radcliff
Radcliff began as a British surname for someone from a place called Ratcliffe, Radcliffe, or Redcliff. The “red cliff” at its root may indicate the color of the local hills. It reads formal without turning stiff, and Rad gives you an easy short form for the playground years.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Red cliff
- Pronunciation: RAED-Klihf
- Variations: Radclif, Radcliffe
- Popularity: Radcliff falls below the five-birth line the SSA uses, so it carries no U.S. ranking.
Raddix
Raddix likely comes from the Latin “radix,” meaning root, and Cameron Diaz chose it for her daughter, which is how most people first heard it. Tucked inside is “rad,” the surfer term for awesome, so the name manages to sound both bookish and loose at once.
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: Root
- Pronunciation: RAD-icks
- Popularity: Raddix last appeared in the U.S. data in 2022 at #8,160, and its best year so far was 2021 at #7,460. It first charted in 2020.
Radek
Radek is the Slavic version of the Old German Roderick, meaning famous ruler. It also works as a nickname for longer Slavic names built on “rad,” meaning merry, including Radoslav and Radovan. The ending gives it a brisk, friendly landing that heavier R names do not have.
- Origin: Slavic
- Meaning: Famous ruler
- Pronunciation: Raa-Dehk
- Namesakes: Radek Martínek, a Czech former ice hockey player for the New York Islanders. Radek John, the Minister of Interior of the Czech Republic from 2010 to 2011.
- Popularity: Radek is the rarest of the names on this list that the federal data still ranks, at #13,424 in 2025. Its best year was 2009 at #5,489, and it first charted in 2003.
Radomir
Radomir joins the Slavic “rad,” meaning “joy,” with “mir,” meaning peace or world. A town in Bulgaria carries the name as well, and your young Radomir can go by Rado or Rasha for short, which keeps the full version for report cards and introductions.
- Origin: Slavic
- Meaning: Famously happy
- Pronunciation: RAA-doh-Mihr
- Variations: Radimir
- Namesakes: Radomir Mihailović, a Serbian guitarist for the band Smak. Radomir Lazović, a member of the National Assembly of Serbia since 2022.
- Popularity: Radomir has never been given to enough U.S. babies in a year to appear in the federal rankings.
Rafa
Rafa is the everyday Spanish nickname for Rafael, and it is popular in Poland too, which puts it near our Polish boy names. It has grown among Latin families in the U.S. as a standalone choice rather than a shortening. Rafa is also an Arabic girl’s name meaning well-being or prosperity.
- Origin: Spanish, Italian
- Meaning: God has healed
- Pronunciation: RAEF-ah
- Variations: Rapha
- Namesakes: Rafa Mir, a Spanish footballer for Sevilla. Rafa Villar, a Spanish writer who helped found the publishing firm Letras de Cal.
- Popularity: Rafa ranked #5,557 in the U.S. in 2025, close to its best showing of #5,020 in 2023. It first charted in 2011.
Rafferty
Rafferty grew out of the Irish Ó Raifeartaigh, meaning prosperity wielder. It is also tied to the surname Raftery, read as one who will prosper. Three syllables give it a bouncy, almost musical delivery, and Raff cuts it down neatly when you need something quicker.
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: Abundance, prosperity
- Pronunciation: RAEF-er-Tiy
- Variations: Raffartey, Raffarty
- Popularity: Rafferty ranked #6,360 in the U.S. in 2025, just off its best year of 2024 at #5,203. It first charted in 1987.
Raffiel
Raffiel combines the Hebrew “rāp̄ā,” meaning he has healed, with “ēl,” meaning God. It is the most unusual spelling on this list for a name most people know as Rafael or Raphael, and choosing it means committing to a lifetime of gentle corrections at the pharmacy counter.
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God has healed
- Pronunciation: Raa-fiy-Ehl
- Variations: Rafael, Raphael, Raffaell
- Popularity: Raffiel charted in U.S. data only once, at #8,219 in 1988, and has not returned since.
Ragin
Ragin started as a Germanic surname meaning descendant of Ragin. It is the trimmed form of older names built on the same stem, including Raganfrid, Ragingar, and Raginald. The short version keeps the old counsel meaning without the medieval weight.
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Advice, counsel
- Pronunciation: RAY-Gin
- Variations: Regin
- Popularity: Ragin appeared in U.S. data once, at #14,963 in 2002.
Ragnar
Ragnar is built on the Old Norse “ragin,” meaning counsel, and “hari,” meaning army. It also carries the sense of judgment. Ragnar Lodbrok, the Old Norse folk hero, is the bearer most people picture, which gives the name a saga-sized shadow. It is heavy, and it is meant to be.
- Origin: Norse
- Meaning: Warrior
- Pronunciation: RAAG-Naar
- Variations: Ragnor
- Namesakes: Ragnar Sigurðsson, an Icelandic footballer for the Iceland national team. Ragnar Sohlman, the Swedish creator of the Nobel Foundation.
- Popularity: Ragnar ranked #2,561 in the U.S. in 2025, with its best showing at #1,723 in 2023. It first charted in 1915.
Rahim
Rahim carries the sense of compassionate and loving, describing someone empathetic and merciful. It is one of the many names of Allah in Islam, which gives it real standing in Muslim families, and the two even syllables make it easy to say in any accent.
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: Kind
- Pronunciation: Raa-HHIYM
- Variations: Raheem, Rahime
- Namesakes: Rahim Jaffer, a Canadian politician in the House of Commons of Canada from 1997 to 2008. Rahim Zafer, a Turkish football player for Beşiktaş JK.
- Popularity: Rahim ranked #2,178 in the U.S. in 2025 and did best in 1975 at #1,337. It has charted since 1967.
Raiden
In Japanese mythology, Raiden was another name for Raijin, the god of thunder and lightning. It is used for boys and girls in the U.S., and video games did as much as mythology to introduce it here. The name sounds like weather rolling in, which is most of its appeal.
- Origin: Japanese
- Meaning: Thunder
- Pronunciation: RAAY-Dehn
- Variations: Raden, Raidan
- Namesakes: Han Seok-hyun (known as Raiden), a South Korean DJ known for the 2017 song “Heart of Steel.” Raiden Tameemon (born Seki Tarōkichi), a Japanese sumo wrestler who holds the all-time win ratio record.
- Popularity: Raiden ranked #432 in the U.S. in 2025 and peaked at #353 in 2022. It first charted in 1993.
Raijin
Raijin has origins in the Japanese “kaminari,” meaning thunder, and “kami,” meaning God. The god Raijin strikes Taiko drums with large hammers to make the sound of thunder. In some depictions he has three fingers, standing for past, present, and future. Few names hand a child that much imagery to grow into.
- Origin: Japanese
- Meaning: Spirit of thunder
- Pronunciation: Ray-JHIHN
- Variations: Raiden
- Popularity: Raijin last charted in the U.S. at #10,546 in 2023, the same year it did best, after first appearing in 2021.
Rainer
Rainer is the German take on the Scandinavian Raginheri, combining “ragin,” meaning advice, with “heri,” meaning army. In Norse it reads as warrior from the gods, and the spelling looks familiar to English speakers, though the stress lands differently, which is worth practicing before you commit.
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Deciding warrior
- Pronunciation: Rey-NIHR
- Variations: Rayner
- Namesakes: Rainer Åkerfelt, a Finnish sprint canoer who competed at the 1960 Summer Olympics. Rainer Sarnet, an Estonian film director known for the film November (2017).
- Popularity: Rainer ranked #3,429 in the U.S. in 2025 and did best in 1964 at #1,783. It has charted since 1955.
Rakem
Rakem is an Arabic variation of Rahim, meaning kind. Among male names that start with R, it has become familiar with African American men. The K in the middle gives it more edge than the softer Rahim, which is often the reason parents pick this spelling.
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: Merciful
- Pronunciation: Rey-KAHM
- Variations: Rakeem, Rakim
- Namesakes: Rakim Sanders, an American basketball player for the Changwon LG Sakers of the Korean Basketball League. Rakim Mayers (known as A$AP Rocky), an American rapper whose album Long. Live. A$AP debuted at number one.
- Popularity: Rakem last charted in the U.S. at #13,727 in 2016, well below its best year of 1992 at #6,025. It first appeared in 1990.
Rakesh
Rakesh is built on the Sanskrit “raka,” meaning “full moon,” and “isha,” meaning lord and ruler. It is associated with the Hindu god Lord Shiva and also reads as lord of the night. The imagery is calm rather than commanding, which suits a name that has been in steady use for decades.
- Origin: Sanskrit, Arabic
- Meaning: Ruler of the full moon
- Pronunciation: Raa-KESH
- Variations: Rajesh
- Namesakes: Rakesh Bedi, an Indian actor appearing in the film Chashme Buddoor (1981). Rakesh Sharma, an Indian Air Force pilot and the only Indian citizen to travel to space.
- Popularity: Rakesh last charted in the U.S. at #11,824 in 2013, far from its 1972 best of #2,397. It first appeared in 1966.
Raleigh
Raleigh also means dweller at the roe meadow. It started as a surname and a boy’s name, and it now appears on girls’ birth certificates as well. It is the capital of North Carolina, named after Sir Walter Raleigh, so expect the city question at least once a year.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Meadow of roe deer
- Pronunciation: RAA-Liy
- Variations: Rawleigh, Rawle
- Namesakes: Walter Raleigh Trevelyan, a British author and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. Raleigh Gilbert, a British horse racing commentator for ITV.
- Popularity: Raleigh ranked #1,894 in the U.S. in 2025 and did best in 2016 at #1,382. It first charted in 1923.
Ralph
Ralph began as the Old Norse Raðulfr and the Old English Rædwulf, both built from “ræd,” meaning counsel, and “wulf,” meaning “wolf.” Those became Radulf, then Ralf, which survives as a spelling variation today. It is a grandfather name in the best sense: plain, warm, and completely unbothered by fashion.
- Origin: English, German
- Meaning: Wolf counsel
- Pronunciation: RAELF
- Variations: Ralf, Ralfe
- Namesakes: Ralph Fiennes, an English actor known for The English Patient (1996). Ralf Bochröder, a German marathon runner who won the 1975 Berlin Marathon.
- Popularity: Ralph ranked #1,048 in the U.S. in 2025, a long way from its high point of #21 in 1914. It has charted every year since 1880.
Ram
In Hindu mythology, Ram is the seventh incarnation of the god Vishnu. In the Bible, Ram is an ancestor of King David and of Jesus. It also works as an Indian nickname for Ramdeep and Rama, and for the Hebrew Avram.
- Origin: Sanskrit, Hebrew
- Meaning: Pleasing, supreme
- Pronunciation: RAAM
- Variations: Ramm, Rahm
- Namesakes: Ram Kapoor, an Indian actor appearing in the TV series Kasamh Se. Ram Charan, an Indian-American business consultant, known for the book Execution.
- Popularity: Ram ranked #2,671 in the U.S. in 2025, near its best year of 2024 at #2,153. It first charted in 1970.
Ramiro
Ramiro also reads as renowned counselor and may be associated with the Latin Ramirus. It is a familiar choice in Mexico, alongside the rest of our Mexican baby names, and the rolled R gives it a lift that the English R cannot quite manage, though it survives either pronunciation.
- Origin: Spanish
- Meaning: Supreme judge
- Pronunciation: Raa-MIY-Row
- Variations: Rameero, Ramyro
- Namesakes: Ramiro Civita, an Argentine cinematographer on the Italian film The Girl by the Lake. Ramiro Costa, an Argentine footballer for the Mexican club Atlante.
- Popularity: Ramiro ranked #1,074 in the U.S. in 2025 and did best in 1981 at #433. It has charted since 1913.
Ramon
Ramon is a Spanish version of the Germanic Raginmund and the English Raymond. It combines “ragin,” meaning advice, with “munt,” meaning protection. The result is a name that has stayed in use for more than a century without ever feeling dated.
- Origin: Spanish
- Meaning: Counsel protection
- Pronunciation: Raa-MOWN
- Variations: Raemonn
- Namesakes: Ramon Tulfo, a Filipino columnist for The Philippine Star. Ramon Tikaram, a British actor known for the soap opera EastEnders.
- Popularity: Ramon ranked #852 in the U.S. in 2025 and had its best year back in 1930 at #182. It has charted since 1880.
Ramses
Ramses originally meant begotten of Ra, the sun god. Spelled Rameses, it belonged to a line of Egyptian kings, Ramses II among them. The other reading is born of Ra. It is one of the oldest names here, and it still lands like a title rather than a nickname.
- Origin: Egyptian
- Meaning: Son of Ra
- Pronunciation: RAEM-Siyz
- Variations: Rameses
- Popularity: Ramses ranked #1,721 in the U.S. in 2025, with its best showing at #1,177 in 2008. It first charted in 1970.
Randall
Randall comes from the Old English Randwulf, joining “rand,” meaning shield, with “wulf,” meaning wolf. It is also the Anglo form of the Gaelic surname MacRaghnaill, meaning son of Raghnall, and Randy is the ready short form, though plenty of Randalls keep the full two syllables.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Shield wolf
- Pronunciation: RAEN-Dael
- Variations: Randal, Randel
- Namesakes: Randall Roach, the mayor of Lake Charles, Louisiana, from 2000 to 2017. Randall Boe, the commissioner of the American Arena Football League since 2018.
- Popularity: Randall ranked #1,506 in the U.S. in 2025, well below its 1955 high of #53. It has charted since 1880.
Ranger
As an English surname, Ranger was an occupational name for a gamekeeper or warden, built on the Middle English “range(n).” The word now pulls in every direction at once: the Lone Ranger, the Power Rangers, the hockey team in New York. That mix of forest keeper and folk hero is exactly why parents reach for it.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Forest guardian
- Pronunciation: REYN-Jher
- Variations: Rainger, Reinger
- Popularity: Ranger ranked #1,582 in the U.S. in 2025, close to its best year of 2022 at #1,444. It first charted in 1958.
Ranjit
Ranjit also carries the sense of influenced by charm, and of conqueror of the battle. Ranjit Singh was the first Maharaja of the Sikh Empire, which anchors the name in real history rather than legend. It stays common across Asia and travels well in English, since both syllables are said exactly as they look.
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Meaning: Victorious
- Pronunciation: Raen-JHIYT
- Variations: Ranjeet
- Namesakes: Ranjit Fernando, a Sri Lankan cricketer who played in the 1975 Cricket World Cup. Ranjit Desai, an Indian Marathi-language writer, awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1964.
- Popularity: Ranjit last charted in the U.S. at #6,377 in 1996, after doing best in 1969 at #3,521. It first appeared in 1967.
Raoul
Raoul is the French form of Radulf, the same root that produced Ralph. It shows up as Raul in Spanish and also reads as red wolf, and the spelling is the whole point here: it looks softer on paper than it sounds out loud.
- Origin: French
- Meaning: Wolf counsel
- Pronunciation: Raa-UWL
- Variations: Raul
- Namesakes: Raoul Heertje, a Dutch panelist on the TV show Dit was het nieuws. Raoul Walsh (born Albert Walsh), an American founding member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
- Popularity: Raoul last charted in the U.S. at #13,783 in 2024, a long way from its 1928 best of #937. It has appeared in the data since 1880.
Rashid
Rashid also means having the true faith and the high one. It comes from the Arabic “rashīd,” meaning wise and judicious. Ar-Rashīd is one of the names of God in Islam, understood as guide to the right path. That makes it a name about direction, which is a generous thing to hand a child.
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: Righteous, rightly advised
- Pronunciation: Raa-SHIYD
- Variations: Rasheed, Raashid, Rascheed
- Namesakes: Rashid Yasemi, an Iranian-Kurdish poet and founding member of the Daneshkadeh Literary Society. Rashid Khan Gaplanov, the Minister of Finance of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.
- Popularity: Rashid ranked #3,640 in the U.S. in 2025 and did best in 1976 at #1,118. It has charted since 1966.
Rashne
Rashne is genuinely rare and also turns up in Farsi. It is usually linked to Rashnu, one of the three Zoroastrian judges who weigh people’s souls after death. The soft ending keeps a heavy origin story from sounding severe.
- Origin: Arabic, Persian
- Meaning: A judge
- Pronunciation: RAESH-ney
- Variations: Rashnee, Rashnie
- Popularity: Rashne does not appear in U.S. federal birth data, which lists only names given to five or more babies in a year.
Rasmus
Rasmus is the short form of Erasmus. In Scandinavia it is derived from the ancient Greek “erasmos,” meaning dearest. It is a staple in Denmark, which is where our Danish boy names pick it up. English speakers tend to find it easier to say than to spell.
- Origin: Dutch
- Meaning: Beloved, desired
- Pronunciation: RAEZ-Mihs
- Namesakes: Rasmus Pettersen, a Norwegian gymnast and gold medalist at the 1906 Summer Olympics. Rasmus Rasmussen, the first theater director of Det Norske Teatret in Oslo from 1912 to 1914.
- Popularity: Rasmus ranked #7,099 in the U.S. in 2025, just off its best year of 2024 at #5,394. It first charted back in 1888.
Rasputin
Rasputin derives from the Slavic “rasputa,” meaning an ill-behaved child, and also reads as debauched one. The association is unavoidable: Grigori Rasputin, the priest who held sway over the Romanov royal family. This is a name for a pet, a band, or a very confident child.
- Origin: Russian
- Meaning: Mystic
- Pronunciation: Ras-PEW-Tihn
- Variations: Rasputen, Rasputun
- Popularity: Rasputin has never been given to enough U.S. babies in a single year to earn a federal ranking.
Rayburn
Rayburn is better known as a Scottish surname taken from place names such as Raeburn. It joins “rae,” meaning roe deer, with “burn,” meaning stream, and also reads as one who came from Ripponden. The picture it paints is a quiet one, which is unusual for a name this sturdy.
- Origin: English, Scottish
- Meaning: Deer brook
- Pronunciation: REY-Behrn
- Variations: Ryburn
- Namesakes: Rayburn Doucett, a Canadian politician in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1970 to 1995. Rayburn Wright, an American jazz trombonist who produced the book Inside the Score in 1982.
- Popularity: Rayburn last charted in the U.S. at #13,715 in 2023, far below its 1938 best of #632. It first appeared in 1908.
Raymond
Raymond comes from the Old German Raginmund, built on “ragin,” meaning might, and “mund,” meaning “protection.” It arrived in England with the Norman conquest and also reads as protecting hands, and Ray is the obvious shortening with half the formality.
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Counsel protection
- Pronunciation: REY-Mond
- Variations: Raimond
- Namesakes: Raymond Davis Jr., an American chemist, and co-winner of the 2002 Nobel Prize in Physics. Raymond Pichard, a French Dominican priest, and presenter of the show Le Jour du Seigneur.
- Popularity: Raymond ranked #395 in the U.S. in 2025, holding up well against its 1919 high of #14. It has charted every year since 1880.
Rebel
Rebel comes from the Old French “rebelle,” a nickname for a rebellious person. It is used for boys and girls in the U.S. Your little one does not need to lead an uprising to wear it, though the name does set an expectation the child will happily meet.
- Origin: French
- Meaning: Defiant person
- Pronunciation: Reh-BAHL
- Variations: Rebele, Rebell
- Namesakes: Rebel Randall (born Alaine Brandes), an American actress who was also the “The Coca-Cola Girl” in the 1940s. Rebel Wilson (born Melanie Bownds), an Australian actress appearing in the film Bridesmaids (2011).
- Popularity: Rebel ranked #3,204 in the U.S. in 2025, with its best showing at #1,620 in 2021. It first charted in 1912.
Reed
Reed was first given to someone with red or ruddy coloring, built on the Old English “read,” meaning red. The other image, reeds along a riverbank, is the one most parents have in mind, and parents drawn to the sound but wanting a softer spelling often land on Reid instead.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Red
- Pronunciation: REEYD
- Variations: Reid, Reyd
- Namesakes: Reed Gershwind, an American deaf swimmer with the most U.S. medals at the Deaflympics. Reed Alexander, an American financial news reporter for Insider.
- Popularity: Reed ranked #419 in the U.S. in 2025 and peaked at #318 in 2014. It has charted since 1881.
Reese
Reese is the English spelling of the Welsh boy’s name Rhys. Since the early 2000s it has become a popular girl’s name in the U.S., where it is read as enthusiasm. Parents who want the Welsh original without the spelling questions usually land here.
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: Ardent, fiery
- Pronunciation: REEYS
- Variations: Reece
- Namesakes: Reese Waters, an American comedian, and host of Get Up DC! Reese Lynch, a Scottish boxer and bronze medalist at the 2021 AIBA World Boxing Championships.
- Popularity: Reese ranked #192 in the U.S. in 2025, near its best year of 2012 at #128. It first charted in 1924.
Regan
Regan also means descended from kings. It joins the Gaelic “ri,” meaning sovereign or king, with the suffix “-in,” and reads as the king’s child. One of the daughters in Shakespeare’s King Lear carries it, which colors the name for anyone who studied the play. It is used for boys and girls and looks equally at home either way.
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: Nobility
- Pronunciation: REY-Gaen
- Variations: Reagan
- Namesakes: Regan Hagar, an American drummer for the band Malfunkshun from 1980 to 1988. Regan Poole, a Welsh footballer for Lincoln City.
- Popularity: Regan has fallen the furthest of any name on this list, down about 62 percent when the last decade of U.S. births is set against the ten years before it. It ranked #2,295 in 2025, well off its 2001 best of #391.
Regilio
Regilio began as a surname built on the Old German Hrodger, meaning famous with the spear. Today it is used mostly as a Surinamese and Dutch name, and four syllables make it the most operatic option in this stretch of the list.
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Glorious spearman
- Pronunciation: Reh-JILL-iy-Ow
- Variations: Rogelio
- Namesakes: Regilio Jacobs, a Dutch footballer for Dijkse Boys. Regilio Tuur, a Suriname-Dutch boxer and the World Boxing Organization super featherweight champion in 1994.
- Popularity: Regilio has no U.S. ranking, since federal data only lists names given to at least five babies in a year.
Reginald
Reginald likely came through the Norman Reynold and is tied to the German “ragin,” meaning decision, and “wald,” meaning ruler. It also reads as ruler’s advisor. The name has been in circulation since the Middle Ages, and Reggie has been softening it for nearly as long.
- Origin: German
- Meaning: King
- Pronunciation: REJH-ih-Nahld
- Variations: Reynold
- Namesakes: Reginald Bonham, the English Blind World Chess Champion in 1958. Reginald “Reggie” Miller, an American basketball player for the Indiana Pacers and a gold medalist in the 1996 Summer Olympics.
- Popularity: Reginald ranked #1,284 in the U.S. in 2025, down from its 1968 high of #117. It has charted since 1880.
Regis
Regis also means kingly and comes from the Old French “régir,” meaning to rule or manage. It was used for local nobles and as a nickname for anyone working in a royal household. It shows up in Brazil as well, where our Brazilian boy names collect it. For most American ears the talk show host arrives first, and that is not a bad association.
- Origin: French, Latin
- Meaning: Regal
- Pronunciation: RIY-Jhis
- Variations: Reegis
- Namesakes: Regis Philbin, an American TV presenter with the Guinness World Record for the most hours on U.S. TV. Regis Masarim, a Brazilian footballer for Kashima Antlers.
- Popularity: Regis ranked #9,509 in the U.S. in 2025, a steep drop from its 1917 best of #601. It first charted in 1897.
Remy
Remy began with the Latin Remigius, taken from “remedium,” meaning cure. It also reads as oarsman. The name stays close to its 2020 peak for both boys and girls, helped along by how easily it moves between French and English. Rem works as a short form if the full version feels too soft.
- Origin: French
- Meaning: Remedy
- Pronunciation: REH-Miy
- Namesakes: Remy Hii, a Malaysian-Australian actor appearing in the soap opera Neighbors. Remy Hamilton, an American football kicker for the Detroit Lions.
- Popularity: Remy ranked #408 in the U.S. in 2025, close to its 2020 best of #356. It first charted in 1914.
Renaud
Renaud is tied to the Latin Reginald and the Old French Reynard, and also reads as ruler’s advisor. It turns up far more often as a surname than as a first name now, and the silent D is the only thing standing between it and wider use in English.
- Origin: French
- Meaning: Powerful judgment
- Pronunciation: Rih-NOW
- Variations: Reynard
- Namesakes: Renaud Laplanche, a French-American CEO of the fintech company Upgrade.
- Popularity: Renaud last charted in the U.S. at #11,897 in 2017, long after its 1957 best of #3,893. It first appeared in 1921.
Rene
Rene is based on the Roman surname Renatus, meaning born again. It is used for boys and girls, with the accented René and the doubled Renee sitting nearby. A name meaning reborn is a quietly hopeful thing to hand a first child.
- Origin: French
- Meaning: Reborn
- Pronunciation: Rey-NEY
- Variations: Renee, René
- Namesakes: Rene Bitorajac, a Croatian actor appearing in the 2001 Academy Award-winning Bosnian film No Man’s Land. Rene Capo, an American judoka who competed in the 1996 Summer Olympics.
- Popularity: Rene ranked #1,092 in the U.S. in 2025 and did best in 1969 at #256. It has charted every year since 1880.
Rex
Rex is Latin for king, and it also reads as mighty counselor and ruler. It was once used as a suffix for a monarch before becoming a common pet name in modern times, and today it works equally well as a standalone name or as a nickname for Reginald or Regis.
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: King
- Pronunciation: REHKS
- Variations: Rexx
- Namesakes: Rex Ziak, an American writer known for his Lewis and Clark studies. Rex White, an American NASCAR driver who competed with the original Chevrolet racing team.
- Popularity: Rex ranked #859 in the U.S. in 2025, down from its 1951 high of #170. It has charted since 1880.
Rey
Rey is the Spanish word for king and comes from the Latin “rex.” It also reads as ruler of a kingdom and can stand as a variation of Ray. It was not typically unisex until the Rey Skywalker character arrived in Star Wars, and it has been used for girls ever since.
- Origin: Spanish
- Meaning: King
- Pronunciation: REY
- Namesakes: Rey Quiñones, a Puerto Rican baseball player for the Boston Red Sox. Rey Galang, a Filipino martial arts teacher and founder of Bakbakan International.
- Popularity: Rey ranked #908 in the U.S. in 2025, near its best year of 2018 at #755. It first charted in 1915.
Rhett
Rhett did not catch on for boys until 1955, two decades after Gone with the Wind was published. It is also a surname from the Dutch “de Raedt,” meaning advice, and another form of Rhys. The silent H is the only hurdle, and most people clear it on the first try.
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: To speak
- Pronunciation: REHT
- Variations: Rhet, Rhette
- Namesakes: Rhett Bernstein, an American soccer player and winner of the 2009 Hermann Trophy. Rhett Warrener, a Canadian ice hockey player for the Florida Panthers.
- Popularity: Rhett ranked #188 in the U.S. in 2025, just off its 2021 peak of #149. It first charted in 1917.
Rhodes
Rhodes comes from the Old English surname Rhoades and includes the root “rod,” meaning clearing in the woods. It is also a Greek island, named for either “rhodon” (roses), “rhoia” (pomegranate), or “erod” (snakes), depending on which story you follow, and the S ending gives it a surname polish that plenty of parents are chasing right now.
- Origin: English, Greek
- Meaning: Where roses grow
- Pronunciation: ROWDZ
- Variations: Rhoades, Rhoads
- Namesakes: David Rhodes, an English singer/songwriter whose debut album Wishes was released in 2015.
- Popularity: Rhodes has climbed harder than any other name here, up about 784 percent when the last decade of U.S. births is compared with the ten years before it. It hit its best rank yet at #575 in 2025, having first charted in 1915.
Rhun
Rhun also means legendary and son of Beli. It is rare but well traveled, appearing in a medieval Welsh tale and again as a place in The Lord of the Rings. Welsh names beginning with Rh are the ones English speakers stumble over, and this is the shortest way in.
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: Great, mighty
- Pronunciation: HRUHN
- Variations: Rhûn, Rhyn
- Namesakes: Rhun ab Arthgal, a ninth-century Welsh King of Strathclyde and the only son of Arthgal ap Dyfnwal. Rhun ap Iorwerth, the Welsh Deputy Leader of Plaid Cymru since 2018.
- Popularity: Rhun does not appear in U.S. federal birth data, which withholds names given to fewer than five babies in a year.
Rhys
Rhys originated in Deheubarth in southwest Wales and is composed of the Old Welsh “ris,” meaning “fiery warrior.” Rhys ap Tewdwr was one of the early Welsh kings to carry it. Most English speakers need a nudge toward the right sound, since it looks like four quiet letters but is said like Reese.
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: Ardor, fire
- Pronunciation: RIYZ
- Variations: Rhyse, Rhyce
- Namesakes: Rhys Ifans, a Welsh actor appearing in the film Notting Hill (1999). Rhys Williams, a Welsh rugby union player for the Cardiff Blues.
- Popularity: Rhys ranked #412 in the U.S. in 2025, near its best year of 2023 at #353. It first charted in 1929.
Richard
Richard appeared as the Old English Richeard in the Middle Ages, built from the German “rīk,” meaning ruler or king, and “hardu,” meaning “strong.” Few names come with as many usable short forms: Rich, Rick, Ricky, Richie, and Dick for the older generations. It is one of the safest choices on this list, and everyone knows how to say it.
- Origin: English, German
- Meaning: Strong in rule
- Pronunciation: RICH-ahrd
- Variations: Rychyrd, Ritchard
- Namesakes: Richard Burton, a Welsh actor who was twice married to actress Elizabeth Taylor. Richard Ayoade, an English comedian known for the TV series The IT Crowd (2006 to 2013).
- Popularity: Richard ranked #234 in the U.S. in 2025, a long way down from #5 in 1930. It has charted every year since 1880.
Rico
Rico is a Spanish and Portuguese nickname for Richard, and a short form for Enrico and Federico in Italian. It reads as dominant ruler, though it has a lightness the longer versions lose, and parents who want warmth without formality tend to stop here.
- Origin: Spanish
- Meaning: Dominant ruler
- Pronunciation: RIY-Kow
- Variations: Ricco
- Namesakes: Rico Gagliano, an American co-host of the podcast The Dinner Party Download. Rico Peter, a Swiss bobsledder who competed at the 2014 Winter Olympics.
- Popularity: Rico ranked #1,805 in the U.S. in 2025, down from its 1976 best of #436. It first charted in 1915.
Rider
Rider referred to an Old English horseman, cavalryman, or messenger. It is steeped in tradition and yet reads as thoroughly modern, which is a rare combination. The Ryder spelling has pulled ahead in recent years, so this version now feels like the deliberate choice.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Knight, mounted warrior
- Pronunciation: RIYD-er
- Variations: Ryder
- Namesakes: Rider Strong, an American actor appearing on the TV sitcom Boy Meets World (1993 to 2000).
- Popularity: Rider ranked #3,735 in the U.S. in 2025 and did best in 2011 at #1,996. It first charted in 1993.
Rigby
Rigby joins the Norse “hryggr,” meaning ridge, with “býr,” meaning homestead. It also means of Rigsby, a place in Lincolnshire, England, which is how it became a surname in the first place, and the Beatles song is the association most adults reach for, a warm one at that.
- Origin: English, Norse
- Meaning: Ridge farm
- Pronunciation: RIHG-Biy
- Variations: Rigbey, Rigbi
- Popularity: Rigby ranked #3,829 in the U.S. in 2025, close to its best year of 2015 at #3,496. It first charted in 1999.
Rikar
Rikar is a lesser-known German version of Richard, based on “reich,” meaning wealthy. It also works as an alternative to Rikard, read as powerful ruler. If Richard feels too worn and Ricardo too long, this sits neatly in between.
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Rich
- Pronunciation: Rih-KAAR
- Variations: Rikard
- Popularity: Rikar has never met the SSA’s five-birth threshold, so U.S. data carries no ranking for it.
Riley
Riley was an Irish surname built on the Gaelic O’ Raghallaigh, meaning valiant, and the English version reads as rye clearing. It is used heavily for girls as well as boys, one of the most genuinely unisex names on this list rather than simply a boy’s name that girls borrowed.
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: Courageous
- Pronunciation: RIY-Liy
- Variations: Rielly, Rilley
- Namesakes: Riley Rossmo, a Canadian comic book artist for Marvel Comics’ Daken: Dark Wolverine. Riley Bonner, an Australian rules footballer for the Port Adelaide Football Club.
- Popularity: Riley is the highest-ranked name on this list right now, at #48 in the U.S. in 2025. Its best showing was #22 in 2016, and it has charted since 1923.
Ringo
Ringo also means peace be with you in Japanese, alongside the more literal apple. The Beatles drummer took the name for the rings he wore, and the U.S. data shows exactly when that happened. Almost nobody meets a Ringo without smiling, which is worth something.
- Origin: Japanese
- Meaning: Apple
- Pronunciation: RIYNG-Gow
- Variations: Ryngo
- Namesakes: Ringo (born Guy Bayle), a French pop singer who sold 30 million records during the 1970s. Ringo Madlingozi, a member of the National Assembly of South Africa since 2019.
- Popularity: Ringo ranked #9,523 in the U.S. in 2025, a long fall from its 1965 best of #1,902. It first charted in 1964.
Rinzen
Rinzen is a Tibetan Buddhist name used equally for girls, read as the holder of intellect. A sculpture by the Catalan artist Antoni Tàpies carries the name too. It is calm, balanced, and gives nothing away about where the child is from.
- Origin: Indian
- Meaning: The holder of intellect
- Pronunciation: RIHN-sen
- Popularity: Rinzen has no entry in U.S. federal birth data, which only ranks names given to five or more babies in a year.
Ripley
Ripley began as an English surname derived from “ripel,” used for towns tucked between wooded areas, and it also reads as from the noisy meadow. The Alien films gave it a second life as a name for someone who survives things, and that reading has largely taken over.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Strip of clearing in the woods
- Pronunciation: RIHP-Liy
- Variations: Riply, Ripply
- Namesakes: Ripley Rand, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina from 2011 to 2017. Ripley Hitchcock, an American editor for authors like Rudyard Kipling.
- Popularity: Ripley reached its best rank yet at #1,032 in the U.S. in 2025. It first charted in 1988.
Rishab
In Hinduism, Rishab means the father of Lord Rishabhdev. It also refers to one who is musically talented, which is a gentler thing to grow into. That gentler meaning makes it a quiet alternative to the more common Rishi.
- Origin: Hindi, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Morality, superior
- Pronunciation: Rih-SHAEB
- Variations: Rishabha
- Namesakes: Rishab Jain, an American inventor named one of Time’s 25 Most Influential Teens in 2018. Prashant Shetty (known as Rishab Shetty), an Indian actor known for the film Kantara.
- Popularity: Rishab ranked #8,112 in the U.S. in 2025, down from its 2005 best of #2,486. It first charted in 1995.
River
River comes from the Latin “riparia,” meaning river bank. The actor River Phoenix carried it into wide use, and it is now given to girls as well as boys. Nature names come and go, but this one has ranked inside the U.S. top 1,000 for boys since 2000.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: A flowing body of water
- Pronunciation: RIYV-er
- Variations: Ryver
- Namesakes: River Alexander, an American actor appearing in the film The Way, Way Back in 2013. River Radamus, an American ski racer and a three-time Youth Olympic Games gold medalist.
- Popularity: River ranked #111 in the U.S. in 2025, just off its 2022 peak of #105. It first charted in 1971.
Roald
Roald is the more relaxed modern form of the Old Norse Hróðvaldr, made up of “hróðr,” meaning fame, and “valdr,” meaning leader. It reads as Norwegian to most people, which is where our Norwegian boy names pick it up, and the children’s author Roald Dahl gives it a storybook warmth that the Norse roots never suggested.
- Origin: Norse
- Meaning: Famous ruler
- Pronunciation: ROW-ahl
- Variations: Roal
- Namesakes: Roald Dahl, a British children’s book writer, most famous for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Roald van Noort, a Norwegian water polo player who competed at the 1984 Summer Olympics.
- Popularity: Roald last charted in the U.S. at #3,285 in 1960, after doing best in 1928 at #1,887. It first appeared in 1912.
Robert
Robert comes from the Old English Hreodbeorht, which draws on the German Hrodebert, and arrived in England after the Norman invasion. It is also one of the most common surnames in the country. Bob, Rob, Robbie, and Bert all live inside it, so the child gets to choose. A name that has spent more than a century near the top has nothing left to prove.
- Origin: English, German
- Meaning: Bright fame
- Pronunciation: RAA-Bahrt
- Variations: Robertson
- Namesakes: Robert F. Kennedy, the 64th U.S. Attorney General from 1961 to 1964. Robert De Niro, an American actor known for films made with director Martin Scorsese.
- Popularity: Robert still sits inside the U.S. top 100 at #92 in 2025, though it held #1 in 1924. It has charted every year since 1880.
Robin
Robin started as a vintage nickname for Robert, using the prefix “Ro-,” meaning fame, and “berht,” meaning bright. Robin Hood is the bearer most children meet first. It is used for boys and girls, and the bird keeps it cheerful no matter which.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Bright, Famous
- Pronunciation: RAA-Bihn
- Variations: Robyn
- Namesakes: Robin Leach, a British entertainment reporter and host of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous from 1984 to 1995. Robin Williams, an Oscar-winning American actor and one of the greatest comedians of all time.
- Popularity: Robin ranked #704 in the U.S. in 2025, well below its 1962 high of #25. It has charted since 1904.
Rocco
Rocco uses the German root “hrok,” meaning repose, and the English equivalent is Roch, the German Rochus. Rocky is the nickname waiting on the other side, which is either the selling point or the reason to think twice.
- Origin: Italian, German
- Meaning: Rest
- Pronunciation: RAAK-ow
- Variations: Rocko
- Namesakes: Rocco DiSpirito, an American chef appearing on The Restaurant TV series. Rocco Marchegiano (known as Rocky Marciano), an American boxer and the world heavyweight champion from 1952 to 1956.
- Popularity: Rocco ranked #459 in the U.S. in 2025 and did best in 1922 at #283. It first charted in 1891.
Rock
Rock is the solid English variation of the Italian Rocco. Saint Rocco was known for healing the sick with bed rest, which is an odd fit for a name this blunt. It works better on a middle name line than most parents expect.
- Origin: English, German
- Meaning: Rest
- Pronunciation: RAAK
- Variations: Roc, Rocke
- Namesakes: Rock Hudson (born Roy Scherer Jr), an American actor appearing in Magnificent Obsession (1954). Rock Ya-Sin, an American football player for the Las Vegas Raiders.
- Popularity: Rock ranked #5,566 in the U.S. in 2025, far off its 1957 best of #618. It first charted in 1913.
Rockwell
Rockwell means dweller by the rock spring and is an English surname for someone from Somerset. It may once have appeared as Rockholt, and Rock is the obvious nickname if the full four syllables feel like too much for everyday use.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Rock spring
- Pronunciation: RAA-Kwehl
- Variations: Rockwel
- Namesakes: Rockwell J. Flint, an American politician in the Wisconsin State Senate and Assembly. Kennedy Gordy (known as Rockwell), an American singer best known for the 1984 single “Somebody’s Watching Me.”
- Popularity: Rockwell ranked #1,940 in the U.S. in 2025, near its best year of 2017 at #1,516. It first charted in 1914.
Rocky
Rocky was once a nickname for Robert and is also the Anglo form of the Gaelic Roch. Rocky Balboa, played by Sylvester Stallone, is the reason most people can picture the name instantly. It is informal by design, so a longer legal name underneath is worth considering.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Stony
- Pronunciation: RAAK-iy
- Variations: Rocki, Rockie
- Namesakes: Rocky Graziano, an American boxer whose life story appeared in the 1956 film Somebody Up There Likes Me. Rocky Elsom, an Australian rugby union player for the Wallabies from 2005 until 2011.
- Popularity: Rocky has made the biggest comeback on this list. Its U.S. birth rate peaked in 1956, bottomed out in 1999, and has since recovered about 4.5 times over, reaching #568 in 2025 against a best rank of #240 in 1955.
Roderick
Roderick is the very English-sounding form of the German Hrodric. It also appears as the Russian Rurik and the Spanish Roderigo. The name has been in use since the eighth century and still reads as formal rather than antique, which is a neat trick after that long.
- Origin: English, German
- Meaning: Famous ruler
- Pronunciation: RAAD-eh-Rihk
- Variations: Rodrick
- Namesakes: Roderick Lewis, an American football player for the Houston/Tennessee Oilers. Roderick Watson, a Scottish poet and Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
- Popularity: Roderick ranked #1,752 in the U.S. in 2025, down from its 1967 high of #221. It has charted since 1880.
Rodney
Rodney also reads as island near the clearing and dweller near the cross, built on the Anglo-Saxon “rod,” meaning cross, and “neah,” meaning near. It is a mid-century American classic, which means it is due for the revival that names of that vintage keep getting. Rod is the natural short form.
- Origin: English, German
- Meaning: Roda’s island
- Pronunciation: RAAD-Niy
- Variations: Rodny
- Namesakes: Rodney Dangerfield, an American stand-up comedian known for the catchphrase “I don’t get no respect!” Rodney Bingenheimer, an American radio host of Rodney on the ROQ from 1976 to 2017.
- Popularity: Rodney ranked #1,093 in the U.S. in 2025, a steep drop from #33 in 1965. It has charted since 1880.
Rodrigo
Rodrigo is the Spanish form of the Germanic Roderick and may have started as the Latin Rudericus. Roderick was carried by the eighth-century Visigothic King Roderic and by the Spanish Saint Roderick, and Ruy and Rod are both used as short forms, the full version worth keeping for how it sounds out loud.
- Origin: Spanish, Portuguese
- Meaning: Famous ruler
- Pronunciation: Raod-RIY-gow
- Variations: Roderigo
- Namesakes: Rodrigo Duterte, the 16th president of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022. Rodrigo Hernández Cascante (known as Rodrigo), a Spanish footballer for the Spain national team.
- Popularity: Rodrigo ranked #492 in the U.S. in 2025 and did best in 2007 at #291. It first charted in 1918.
Roger
Roger comes from the Old English Hrothgar and the French Roger. Hrōðgār was a character in the epic poem Beowulf, though the modern version has shed all of that weight. It is one of the more conversational names on this list, thanks to the radio call that borrowed it.
- Origin: English, German
- Meaning: Famous spearman
- Pronunciation: RAA-Jhahr
- Variations: Rodger, Rogers
- Namesakes: Roger Zelazny, an American science fiction writer known for The Chronicles of Amber. Roger Angell, an American essayist for The New Yorker.
- Popularity: Roger ranked #834 in the U.S. in 2025, well below its 1945 high of #22. It has charted every year since 1880.
Rohan
Rohan means ascending in Sanskrit, and also healing and medicine. In Arabic it reads as spiritual, in Japanese as accompanying dew, and in Gaelic it turns up as the unisex Rowan, and few names collect that many meanings across that many languages while staying this easy to say.
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Meaning: Ascending
- Pronunciation: ROW-Haan
- Variations: Rohann
- Namesakes: Rohan Dennis, an Australian cyclist and the UCI men’s individual time trial world champion in 2019. Rohan Marley, a Jamaican entrepreneur and the son of Bob Marley.
- Popularity: Rohan ranked #812 in the U.S. in 2025 and did best in 2004 at #480. It first charted in 1969.
Roland
Roland was widely used in the Middle Ages, particularly around the time of Charlemagne. It also reads as fame of the land. The name has a regal, unhurried sound, and Rolly or Ro will cut it down for a toddler who is neither.
- Origin: English, German
- Meaning: Famous land
- Pronunciation: ROW-Lahnd
- Variations: Rowland
- Namesakes: Roland Joffé, a British filmmaker known for The Killing Fields (1984). Roland Barthes, a French literary theorist known for the 1957 essay collection Mythologies.
- Popularity: Roland ranked #608 in the U.S. in 2025, down from its 1924 high of #98. It has charted since 1880.
Romeo
Romeo may go back to the Roman Romulus and was read as pilgrim to Rome, related to the Italian Romolo, though Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet owns the name now. That is a lot of romance for one child to carry, and plenty of parents decide it is worth it.
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: Citizen of Rome
- Pronunciation: Row-MEY-ow
- Variations: Romero
- Namesakes: Romeo Bezușcu, a Romanian rugby union football player for RCJ Farul Constanța. Romeo Diaz, a Filipino member of the band Danny Diaz & The Checkmates.
- Popularity: Romeo ranked #302 in the U.S. in 2025, just off its 2024 best of #283. It has charted since 1880.
Romilly
Romilly is rare and is used more often for girls. The English painter Augustus John named his son Romilly, which is the usual reference point for the boys’ version. Three light syllables give it a lilt that most R names on this list never attempt.
- Origin: French, Latin
- Meaning: Wanderer
- Pronunciation: RAH-miyl-Liy
- Variations: Romelle
- Namesakes: Romilly Lunge, a British film actor in the Royal Navy who briefed Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, during World War II.
- Popularity: Romilly ranked #7,825 in the U.S. in 2025, close to its best year of 2024 at #6,117. It first charted in 2013.
Ronald
Along with Ranald, Ronald is a Scottish form of the English Reynold or Reginald, coming down from the Old Norse Rögnvaldr. Ron and Ronnie handle the everyday version, and it reads as a grandfather’s name today, precisely the category that keeps coming back.
- Origin: Scottish, Scandinavian
- Meaning: Ruler’s counselor
- Pronunciation: RAAN-ahld
- Variations: Ronnald
- Namesakes: Ronald Reagan, the 40th president of the U.S. from 1981 to 1989. Ronald Wood, an English member of the Rolling Stones since 1975.
- Popularity: Ronald ranked #638 in the U.S. in 2025, a long way from #9 in 1941. It has charted since 1883.
Ronan
Ronan is made up of the Irish “rón,” meaning seal, and the diminutive suffix “-án.” The folktale behind it tells of a mother seal turned human who gives birth to ronans, or little seals. It is soft without being slight, and it has been climbing steadily for parents who want Irish that does not need spelling out.
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: Little seal
- Pronunciation: ROW-Nihn
- Variations: Ronin, Ronnan
- Namesakes: Ronan Sheehan, an Irish novelist and winner of the Rooney Prize for Irish Literature in 1984. Ronan Keating, an Irish member of the Irish pop group Boyzone.
- Popularity: Ronan reached its best U.S. rank yet at #247 in 2025. It first charted in 1959.
Ronson
Ronson was a Norman surname built on the Old French “roncin,” meaning workhorse. It also works as an English surname meaning son of Ronald. If you like Ronald but want the family connection at one remove, this is the way to do it.
- Origin: English, French
- Meaning: Workhorse
- Pronunciation: RAAN-Sahn
- Popularity: Ronson last charted in the U.S. at #13,857 in 2017, well below its 1970 best of #2,859. It first appeared in 1949.
Rooney
Rooney is the English form of the Gaelic O’Ruanaidh, meaning son of the champion, taken from Ruanaidh, a first name meaning champion. It is used for boys and girls, and the double O keeps it playful, balancing out a meaning that could easily read as boastful.
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: Hero
- Pronunciation: RUW-Niy
- Variations: Roony
- Namesakes: William Lee (known as Rooney Lee), the son of General Robert E. Lee and a Confederate General in the American Civil War. Rooney Massara, a British rower who competed at the 1972 Summer Olympics.
- Popularity: Rooney ranked #2,235 in the U.S. in 2025, near its best year of 2024 at #1,963. It first charted in 2011.
Roosevelt
Roosevelt originated as the Dutch surname Van Rose(n)velt, meaning of a rose field. Teddy and Franklin Roosevelt are the two bearers everyone knows, and the U.S. data shows the name’s peak year of 1933. It is a presidential name that has never felt stuffy, largely because Rosie and Velt are both waiting inside it.
- Origin: Dutch
- Meaning: Rose field
- Pronunciation: RUW-zeh-Vehlt
- Variations: Roosvelt
- Namesakes: Roosevelt (born Marius Lauber), a German singer whose single Elliot was named Pitchfork’s “Best New Track.”
- Popularity: Roosevelt ranked #4,362 in the U.S. in 2025, far below its 1933 peak of #132. It first charted in 1895.
Rory
Rory comes from the Irish Ruaidhri, joining “ruadh,” meaning red, with “rígh,” meaning king. It was given to redheads long before it became a general favorite. It is used for boys and girls now, and it is short enough to survive every accent it meets.
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: Red king
- Pronunciation: RAOR-iy
- Variations: Rori, Rorry
- Namesakes: Rory Brennan, an Irish presenter at RTÉ Radio. Rory Dodd, a Canadian rock vocalist on Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart.”
- Popularity: Rory hit its best U.S. rank yet at #199 in 2025. It first charted in 1933.
Rousseau
Rousseau was a French nickname for someone with red hair, built on the root “roux,” meaning redhead, and it is the dressed-up cousin of Russell and Rory. As a first name it reads as a deliberate choice rather than a family inheritance, which is either the appeal or the problem.
- Origin: French
- Meaning: Little redhead
- Pronunciation: Ruw-SOW
- Variations: Rousse, Rousset
- Popularity: Rousseau charted in the U.S. only once, at #13,749 in 2019.
Rowan
Rowan is associated with the Irish surname Ruadhán, meaning red-haired, and also names the rowan tree. It doubles as an Arabic girl’s name meaning river in Paradise. The mix of nature name, surname, and unisex appeal explains why it keeps climbing while older R names slide.
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: Famous
- Pronunciation: ROW-ahn
- Variations: Rowen, Rowyn
- Namesakes: Rowan Crothers, an Australian swimmer and gold medalist at the Tokyo Paralympics.
- Popularity: Rowan reached its best U.S. rank yet at #59 in 2025, one of four names on this list currently inside the top 100 for boys. It first charted in 1916.
Royal
Royal means of kingly character and was once reserved for those with royal titles, and it is used for boys and girls, holding near its 2021 best as the broader appetite for word names continues. Naming a child Royal sets a tone; most families lean into it rather than away.
- Origin: French
- Meaning: Regal
- Pronunciation: ROY-ael
- Variations: Royale, Royall
- Namesakes: Royal Sprague, the 11th Chief Justice of California in 1872. Royal Dano, an American voice actor for Disney’s Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln attraction.
- Popularity: Royal ranked #476 in the U.S. in 2025, near its 2021 best of #369. It has charted since 1880.
Royce
Royce comes from the Old French “roial,” meaning kingly, and was originally used for the son of the king. These days the luxury car arrives first for most listeners. It is crisp, slightly formal, and pairs well with a plain one-syllable middle name.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Royal
- Pronunciation: ROYS
- Variations: Roice, Royse
- Namesakes: Royce Gracie, a Brazilian member of the Gracie family who competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Royce Deppe, a South African tennis player with a doubles ranking of 75th in 1992.
- Popularity: In 2025, Royce sat at #500 in the U.S., well off its high-water mark of #283 back in 1935, and the name has been on the books since 1892.
Ruben
Reuben was originally the Hebrew Re’uven, meaning behold, a son, and in the Bible, Ruben was Jacob’s firstborn. This spelling is the one used across Spanish-speaking countries, and it keeps the biblical weight while shedding some of the formality of Reuben.
- Origin: Spanish, Hebrew
- Meaning: Behold, a son
- Pronunciation: RUW-Ben
- Variations: Reuben
- Namesakes: Ruben Rupp, a German member of the Baden-Württemberg state parliament since 2021. Ruben Jille, a Dutch badminton player and four-time Dutch junior champion.
- Popularity: Ruben ranked #480 in the U.S. in 2025, down from its 1980 high of #165. It has charted since 1880.
Rudy
Rudy is the nickname form of Rudolph, coming down from the Old German Hrōdwulf. It is used for boys and girls. Informal names age in odd ways, and this one has landed somewhere warm rather than dated, which is more than Rudolph can claim.
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Famous wolf
- Pronunciation: RUW-Diy
- Variations: Rudi
- Namesakes: Rudi Carrell (born Rudolf Kesselaar), a Dutch TV host of the Rudi Carrell Show. Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger, an American motivational speaker who inspired the 1993 film, Rudy.
- Popularity: Rudy ranked #739 in the U.S. in 2025, below its 1947 best of #235. It has charted since 1882.
Rudyard
Rudyard also means famous wand and red enclosure, and the poet Rudyard Kipling is the bearer everyone knows, named after Rudyard Lake in Rudyard, England. Families who like the literary weight but not the length often save it for the middle name.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Red paddock
- Pronunciation: RUHD-Yard
- Namesakes: Rudyard Griffiths, a Canadian TV broadcaster at the CTV News Channel. Rudyard Spencer, a member of the Senate of Jamaica in 1993.
- Popularity: Rudyard last charted in the U.S. at #7,721 in 1989, long after its 1914 best of #2,861. It first appeared in 1914.
Ruel
Ruel means friend of God and also reads as a little by-path. It was a French surname for someone who lived on a narrow street. Families who want a short, meaningful name without the popularity of Levi or Noah tend to land here.
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: Friend of God
- Pronunciation: RUWL
- Variations: Reuele, Reulle
- Namesakes: Ruel van Dijk (known as Ruel), a British-Australian singer who won the Breakthrough Artist Award at the 2018 ARIA Music Awards in 2018.
- Popularity: Ruel ranked #6,377 in the U.S. in 2025, far below its 1915 best of #890. It first charted in 1882.
Rufus
In Latin, “rufus” means red, and it was once the nickname for the red-haired English King William. Today it is a sweet, old-fashioned choice for red-headed boys, carrying that slightly rumpled charm that vintage names get once they have been out of use long enough.
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: Red-haired
- Pronunciation: RUW-Fahs
- Variations: Ruffus
- Namesakes: Rufus Wainwright, a Canadian-American singer/songwriter appearing on the album Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall. Rufus Rodriguez, a Filipino member of the House of Representatives since 2019.
- Popularity: Rufus ranked #4,019 in the U.S. in 2025, well off its 1913 peak of #169. It has charted since 1880.
Rumi
Rumi means beauty in Japanese and also carries the senses of flow and lapis lazuli. It is the name of the 13th-century Persian poet and saint, well known among Sufi masters. Parents drawn to the poet’s legacy often pair it with a plain, single-syllable middle name.
- Origin: Japanese
- Meaning: Beauty
- Pronunciation: RUW-Miy
- Namesakes: Rumi Hiiragi, a Japanese voice actress in the anime film Spirited Away. Rumi Suizu, a Japanese figure skater and the 2007 Japan Junior champion.
- Popularity: Rumi reached its best U.S. rank yet at #1,283 in 2025. It first charted in 2002.
Ruslan
Ruslan is the Slavic form of the Turkish “arslan,” meaning lion. It travels through the folk tale of the hero Yeruslan Lazarevich and is common across Russia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, and Belarus, and the stress falls on the first syllable, which is the one thing worth teaching a new teacher.
- Origin: Slavic
- Meaning: Lion
- Pronunciation: RUUS-laan
- Variations: Roslan
- Namesakes: Ruslan Goncharov, a Ukrainian ice dancer and a 2006 Olympic bronze medalist. Ruslan Abdulgani, an Indonesian diplomat and UN ambassador in the 1950s and 1960s.
- Popularity: In 2025, Ruslan ranked #3,571 in the United States, just above its strongest showing of #3,511 in 2000, and it has been on record since 1992.
Russell
Russell uses the French “roux,” meaning red. It was once the French surname Russel and the Old Norse Rossel, both given to redheads. Russ and Rusty are the short forms, and Rusty in particular pulls the name somewhere friendlier than the formal version suggests.
- Origin: French
- Meaning: Red-haired
- Pronunciation: RUH-Sehl
- Variations: Rusell
- Namesakes: Russell Means, an Oglala Lakota activist for the rights of Native Americans. Russell Brand, an English comedian and winner of three British Comedy Awards.
- Popularity: Russell ranked #345 in the U.S. in 2025, down from its 1914 high of #49. It has charted every year since 1880.
Ryan
Ryan comes from the Old Irish Rían, meaning little king, and also read as illustrious. The traditional Irish spelling Rian is more common on the Emerald Isle. It spent decades as one of the most-used boy names in the country and has aged into something dependable rather than dated. It is also used for girls now.
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: Little king
- Pronunciation: RYE-aen
- Variations: Ryann
- Namesakes: Ryan Gosling, a Canadian actor whose movies have grossed over 1.9 billion USD. Ryan Strome, a Canadian ice hockey player for the Anaheim Ducks.
- Popularity: Ryan ranked #99 in the U.S. in 2025, still inside the top 100 despite falling from #11 in 1986. It first charted in 1906.
Ryder
Ryder is the Americanized spelling of the Dutch Rijder, a surname used for a mounted warrior or messenger. The Y is what parents are actually choosing here, since Rider has the same meaning and half the momentum, and it is used for boys and girls, sounding like motion, which is the whole point.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Horseman
- Pronunciation: RIYD-er
- Variations: Rider
- Namesakes: Ryder Windham, an American science fiction author of over 60 Star Wars books. Ryder Hesjedal, a Canadian racing cyclist who finished fifth at the 2010 Tour de France.
- Popularity: Ryder ranked #133 in the U.S. in 2025, near its 2014 peak of #95. It first charted in 1960.
Ryker
Ryker is built on the German “reich,” meaning wealthy, and also reads as brave power when used as a Dutch diminutive for Richard. It has the hard consonants that modern boy names keep reaching for. Parents who like Ryder but want something less common usually end up here.
- Origin: German, English
- Meaning: Rich
- Pronunciation: RIYK-er
- Variations: Riker
- Popularity: Ryker ranked #183 in the U.S. in 2025, off its 2018 best of #122. It first charted in 1970.
Rylan
Rylan is a variation of the English surname Ryland and also means country of cereal grass. It sits in the same family as Riley and Ryan without being either. It is used for boys and girls, and the single L spelling is the one that has held up best.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Island meadow
- Pronunciation: RIY-Laen
- Variations: Rylynn
- Namesakes: Rylan Reed, an American baseball player in the minor leagues of the Chicago White Sox from 2001 to 2005. Ross Clark (known as Rylan), an English personality who won the 11th series of Celebrity Big Brother.
- Popularity: Rylan ranked #416 in the U.S. in 2025, down from its 2011 peak of #146. It first charted in 1968.
Ryurik
Ryurik was once an Old English place name meaning Hroda’s island. It is far better known in Russia, where it is tied to the older Rurik line of names. It demands more spelling patience than most names on this list, though it is striking to hear, a fair trade for some families.
- Origin: English, German
- Meaning: Famous ruler
- Pronunciation: Ry-UW-rik
- Namesakes: Rjurik Lonin, a Veps folklorist and founder of The Rjurik Lonin Veps Ethnographic Museum in Šoutar’v (Shyoltozero).
- Popularity: Ryurik does not appear in U.S. federal birth data, which lists only names given to at least five babies in a year.
