Boy Dog Names That Start With R

  1. Rudyard
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "red enclosure"
    • Description:

      Often thought of as a one-peson name because of Jungle Book writer Kipling, this was actually his middle name. He was middle-named for Rudyard Lake in Staffordshire, the beauty of which inspired his parents to reference it in their first child's name. Trivia tidbit: Actress Kim Raver gave her son Leo the middle name of Kipling.
  2. Ricky
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Richard or Frederick
    • Meaning:

      "dominant or peaceful ruler"
    • Description:

      Gone with Richard and Rick, Ricky has been falling since the turn of the 21st century. Probably still suffering from overuse in the 1990s.
  3. Rigby
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "ridge farm"
    • Description:

      Rigby is a rather stiff British surname, which might call to mind the Beatles "Eleanor Rigby" or, from the recent past, Cathy Rigby, the first American woman to win a medal in World Gymnastics competition. The problem with Rigby may be its similarity to the word "rigid."
  4. Reign
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "rule"
    • Description:

      Reign is one of a new, ahem, kingdom of word names that suggest a high-born child, joining Royal, Lorde, Titan, Saint, King, Princess, and Noble. We predicted this kind of defining name to be the Number 1 baby name trend of 2015...two weeks before Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick named their third child, a boy, Reign.
  5. Rei
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "my companion"
    • Description:

      A very unusual biblical name, Rei was one of David's most loyal supporters.
  6. Renzo
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Lorenzo
    • Description:

      Rakish nickname able to stand on its own.
  7. Rodney
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "island near the clearing"
    • Description:

      Rodney peaked at Number 33 in 1965 and has been on a steady decline ever since. As its popularity history indicates, this name is more fitting for someone born in the mid-twentieth century instead of the twenty-first century. It's likely this name will continue trending downward for another generation or two before it has its chance to turn back around.
  8. Rooster
    • Origin:

      English animal name
    • Meaning:

      "roosting bird"
    • Description:

      A new addition to the menagerie of animal baby names — Rooster was given to five baby boys in 2019, but did not return to the charts in the following year. The word has American origins — the Puritans used it as an alternative to "cock," which developed its euphemistic meaning around the 1770s. Rooster comes from the verb "to roost," as the birds are known to do.
  9. Radley
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "red meadow"
    • Description:

      Radical Bradley. Radley is also the surname of one of the heroes of To Kill a Mockingbird. Boo Radley is a reclusive and mentally challenged neighbor who saves the Finch children.
  10. Rennie
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Rene or Ren; Scottish surname; French; Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "powerful counsel; reborn; water lily, lotus"
    • Description:

      in 2021, Katharine McPhee and David Foster named their son Rennie David Foster, a family name on Foster's side. Rennie has a history of use as nickname for the French Rene, as well as other names with the ren element, such as Warren and Ren itself, which has Japanese origins.
  11. Rumo
    • Origin:

      Cornish
    • Meaning:

      "red"
    • Description:

      Ancient martyr name that sounds totally modern, but perhaps too close to rumor.
  12. Rafa
    • Origin:

      Short form of Rafael
    • Description:

      Rafa is an adorable short form introduced to the world by actors Rose Byrne and Bobby Cannavale, who used the name for their second son. Rafael is the Latin cognate of the Hebrew boys' name Raphael, but you don't need to be a Rafael to be a Rafa.
  13. Rupin
    • Origin:

      Sanskrit
    • Meaning:

      "handsome"
    • Description:

      Rupin is one of those names that is virtually unknown in the Western world and yet is easily translated because it feels so familiar -- parts Rupert, Robin, and Reuben. A handsome choice.
  14. Rico
    • Origin:

      Spanish, diminutive of Ricardo
    • Meaning:

      "dominant ruler"
    • Description:

      Consider this short form for your little Richard.
  15. Reagan
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "little king"
    • Description:

      Inextricably tied to the former president, Reagan is a handsome surname name with a cool, current sound. Gender-neutral nickname Ray/Rae is also very on-trend right now.
  16. Reno
    • Origin:

      Place-name
    • Description:

      Has a lively and swaggering sound, and also some unfortunate associations with Reno, city of gambling and failed marriages.
  17. Rocket
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      Starbaby name that might prove too supercharged for real life, but if like director Robert Rodriguez you're interested only in boys' names starting with R, you may need to add Rocket (and Rebel and Racer) to your list.
  18. Raleigh
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "meadow of roe deer"
    • Description:

      Attractive North Carolina place-name and surname of explorer Sir Walter Raleigh. Distinctive, classy-but-approachable choice for either sex.
  19. Rambo
    • Origin:

      English surname name
    • Description:

      Superhero names are fit for humans today, and there's no reason Rambo can't take his place among a generation of babies named Loki, Odin, and Atlas.
  20. Ragnar
    • Origin:

      Norse
    • Meaning:

      "warrior or judgment"
    • Description:

      An fearsome old Norse name with a long history in Scandinavia. It's gotten a boost in the States from popularity of the History Channel drama "Vikings," in which the protagonist is named Ragnar. Ragnar Lodbrok (meaning "shaggy pants") was a legendary warrior whose story was told in the Viking sagas. Ragnar also recalls name of the Norse Judgment Day, Ragnarök.