Dog Names That Start With R

  1. Rai
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "next child"
    • Description:

      Distinctive and intriguing relative of Rae.
  2. Rustam
    • Origin:

      Persian
    • Meaning:

      "tall, strongly-built, brave"
    • Description:

      This variation of Rostam might be more English-friendly given its resemblance to the familiar Russ or Russell.
  3. Rhythm
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      A musical name that is undeniably cool and, well, rhythmic. Its biggest challenge may be the spelling. Well, maybe not the biggest challenge. Save this one for a middle name.
  4. Rooney
    • Origin:

      English or Gaelic surname
    • Meaning:

      "descendent of the champion"
    • Description:

      Rooney is one of many bouncy Irish surnames that could make an agreeable first, once tied to Mickey Rooney (who was actually born Joseph Yule) in his young and spunky Andy Hardy period.
  5. Raja
    • Origin:

      Arabic and Sanskrit
    • Meaning:

      "hope; ruler"
    • Description:

      Raja is a widely-used Arabic or Sanskrit name that works for girls as well as boys. Five baby girls were named Raja and seven given the Rajah spelling in the US last year, where for boys the popularity of the spellings was reversed: 18 Raja to ten Rajah.
  6. Rayne
    • Origin:

      Variation of Rain or Rayna
    • Description:

      Rayne is the unique name used for one of the girl sextuplets on the Sweet Home TV show.
  7. Rua
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "red"
    • Description:

      Anglicized form of Ruadh
  8. Renly
    • Origin:

      Modern invented name
    • Description:

      Renly Baratheon was a fairly minor character in A Song of Ice and Fire and HBO's Game of Thrones, mostly remembered as the one of the show's few prominent LGBT characters. He played a major part in season 2 of the show, when he challenged the Lannisters and his older brother Stannis for control of the Iron Throne.
  9. Raul
    • Origin:

      Spanish variation of Ralph
    • Meaning:

      "wolf counsel"
    • Description:

      Raul and French brother Raoul are much more appealing than flat-footed daddy Ralph. Puerto Rican actor Raul Julia, who starred in the Addams Family movies, brought fame to the name before his death in 1994.
  10. Randi
    • Origin:

      Feminine diminutive of Randolph
    • Meaning:

      "shield-wolf"
    • Description:

      A relic of the midcentury Mandi-Sandi-Andi era.
  11. Rima
    • Origin:

      Arabic; Lithuaniian
    • Meaning:

      "white antelope; to calm down, to quieten"
    • Description:

      Nature girl played by Audrey Hepburn in "Green Mansions," it now has an old-style bohemian feel.
  12. Roberto
    • Origin:

      Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese variation of Robert, English from German
    • Meaning:

      "bright fame"
    • Description:

      Standard Latin classic that brings some flair to the basic boy name Robert. Nearly 4000 baby boys are still named Robert in the US each year, many of them undoubtedly named for a father or grandfather, while about 550 are named Roberto.
  13. Rubin
    • Description:

      Rubin is a masculine name of Germanic and Yiddish origin that developed as a variant of Reuben or directly from the gemstone ruby. The name derives from the Latin 'rubinus' meaning 'red,' referring to the precious stone. In Jewish traditions, it connects to the biblical Reuben, Jacob's firstborn son, whose name means 'behold, a son' in Hebrew. Rubin has moderate popularity in German-speaking countries and among Jewish communities. As a surname-turned-first-name, it carries an intellectual, distinguished quality. The gemstone association gives Rubin connotations of value and brilliance. While less common than the spelling 'Reuben' in English-speaking countries, Rubin offers a concise, distinctive alternative with rich cultural heritage.

  14. 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.
  15. Reuelle
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "friend of God"
    • Description:

      Spelling a bit elaborate and confusing.
  16. Reia
    • Description:

      Reia is a feminine name with multiple possible origins, giving it rich cross-cultural significance. In Japanese, Reia (麗愛) can mean 'lovely love' or 'beautiful affection,' depending on the kanji characters used. It also resembles Rhea from Greek mythology, who was a Titaness and mother of Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades. Additionally, Reia could be considered a variant of Raya, which has Hebrew and Arabic roots meaning 'friend' or 'companion.' This multicultural name remains relatively uncommon in Western countries but has seen modest increased usage in recent decades as parents seek distinctive names with international appeal. Its brevity and melodic quality make it accessible across language barriers, while its various meaningful associations offer depth beyond its simple, beautiful sound.

  17. Regis
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "kingly"
    • Description:

      Venerable old saint's name now associated solely with talk show host Philbin, who is constantly seeking namesakes. It comes from the word rex meaning "king".
  18. Rube
    • Description:

      Rube is a masculine name that originated as a diminutive form of Reuben, a Hebrew name meaning 'behold, a son'. Historically, it gained recognition in American culture as a nickname and eventually as a stand-alone name. In the early 20th century, 'Rube' became associated with the cartoon artist Rube Goldberg, known for his illustrations of complicated gadgets. The name has also carried connotations of rural simplicity, as the term 'rube' came to mean a country bumpkin in American slang. Though never extremely popular as a formal given name, it maintains a vintage Americana charm. Its short, straightforward sound gives it an unpretentious quality that might appeal to parents seeking a name with historical character and simplicity.

  19. Rumo
    • Origin:

      Cornish
    • Meaning:

      "red"
    • Description:

      Ancient martyr name that sounds totally modern, but perhaps too close to rumor.
  20. Rori
    • Description:

      Rori is a gender-flexible name that appears here as masculine, though it's also used for girls. With Gaelic origins, it's often considered a variation of Rory, derived from the Irish "Ruairí" or Scottish "Ruairidh" meaning "red king" or "famous ruler." The spelling with an 'i' ending gives it a softer quality than the traditional Rory. While historically more common for boys in Celtic traditions, contemporary usage has seen it grow as a feminine option as well. The name carries a playful, youthful energy while maintaining its connection to ancient Celtic heritage. Though not among the most popular names, its brevity, friendly sound, and cross-gender adaptability have attracted parents seeking something distinctive yet accessible with historical roots.