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Dog Names That Start With R

  1. Riddick

    • Origin:

      Variation of Reddick, Scottish

    • Description:

      Variation of Reddick, recognizable as the name of Vin Diesel's character in the Riddick film series, based on the Chronicles of Riddick books.
  2. Rico

    • Origin:

      Spanish, diminutive of Ricardo

    • Meaning:

      "dominant ruler"

    • Description:

      Consider this short form for your little Richard.
  3. Reno

    • Origin:

      Place-name

    • Description:

      Has a lively and swaggering sound, and also some unfortunate associations with Reno, city of gambling and failed marriages.
  4. Rora

    • Description:

      Rora is a concise, feminine name with multiple potential origins. It may be a shortened form of Aurora, the Roman goddess of dawn, or derive from the Scottish Gaelic word for "seashore." In some contexts, it could be related to the Latin "ros" meaning "dew." Rora has remained quite rare throughout recorded naming history, never reaching widespread popularity in English-speaking countries. The name's brevity gives it a modern, minimalist appeal, while its soft sounds create a gentle impression. The dual-syllable structure with repeating 'r' sounds gives Rora a rhythmic, almost musical quality. Its uncommonness makes it attractive to parents seeking a distinctive name that's straightforward to spell and pronounce.

  5. Remington

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "place on a riverbank"

    • Description:

      Between 1980s-era television private eye Remington Steele and Remington Arms, this name might seem all-boy. But in 2014, Remington entered the US girls' Top 1000, and it's been rising since.
  6. 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.
  7. Ridley

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "cleared wood; reed clearing; channel clearing"

    • Description:

      Director Ridley Scott and actress Daisy Ridley made this surname-style name familiar, and with its outdoorsy meaning and rugged yet preppy sound, it could blend in with Oakley, Reid, Riley, and Ridge. Some parents might be put of by the first syllable (as in, "get rid of" or "horrid" or "riddles"), but since Scarlett (scar), Colton (cult), and Titus all rank in the Top 400, it could still work for those looking for a standout last-name first name.
  8. Rey

    • Origin:

      Spanish

    • Meaning:

      "king"

    • Description:

      Sounds exactly like Ray—but with an on-trend royal vibe. The central protagonist in the newest Star Wars trilogy is a woman named Rey.
  9. Raddix

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "root"

    • Description:

      This eye-catchingly unique name was coined by Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden, who gave it to their daughter, born in 2020. It may derive from the Latin radix, meaning "root", or perhaps from the Slavic name element rad, meaning "happy; willing".

      Raddix is among the most unique celebrity baby names of recent years.
  10. Rudolf

    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Rudolph, German

    • Meaning:

      "famous wolf"

    • Description:

      You've got the red-nosed reindeer to transcend, but there are other distinguished personages named Rudolph, Rudolf, and Rudy.
  11. Rajah

    • Origin:

      Arabic and Sanskrit

    • Meaning:

      "hope; ruler"

    • Description:

      Indian princely title, more exciting than Prince or Duke, that is also a widely-used name for both genders. In the US, the names Rajah and Raja are uncommon: Ten baby boys were named Rajah last year and 18 were given the Raja spelling.
  12. Rainy

    • Origin:

      Word name or diminutive of Regina, Latin

    • Meaning:

      "queen"

    • Description:

      The Rainy spelling puts this name firmly in word name territory, an appealing option following the rise of Stormi. Rainey is the most popular spelling of the name, given to about 50 girls last year, with half as many called Rainy and a quarter named Rainie, the spelling used by Andie MacDowell for her now-grown daughter.
  13. Rianne

    • Origin:

      Dutch

    • Meaning:

      "bitter; beloved; drop of the sea + grace"

    • Description:

      Popular Dutch name derived from a combination of Maria (Ria) + Anne, or as a short form of Marianne.
  14. Rebel

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Meaning:

      "rebel"

    • Description:

      Asking for trouble. Rebel Wilson is female, but this name is truly gender neutral, though hardly neutral in any other way. Rebel is undoubtedly one of the edgiest boys' names starting with the letter R.
  15. Reed

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "red-haired"

    • Description:

      Sleek, unisex surname rarely heard for girls -- which could be seen as an asset.
  16. Roselle

    • Origin:

      Combination of Rose and Elle

    • Description:

      Most contemporary parents would probably opt for the more streamlined Elle.
  17. Rosalee

    • Origin:

      Variation of Rosalie, French

    • Meaning:

      "rose"

    • Description:

      With sweet, sparky Rosalie revived and ranking in the US Top 200, this variant is also catching on. While some may consider it a modern, creative spelling, it has long been used in the US. In fact, it was in the Top 1000 from 1902, right up until 1951, and had appeared sporadically in the popularity charts before that too.
  18. Raiden

    • Origin:

      Japanese

    • Meaning:

      "thunder and lightning"

    • Description:

      Raiden is a powerful choice for a baby girl. The Japanese god of thunder’s name is traditionally pronounced RYE-den, but most children named Raiden in the US pronounce it to rhyme with familiar choices Aiden, Jayden, and Hayden.
  19. Richmond

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "powerful protector"

    • Description:

      Richmond is a place-name — it's the capital of Virginia, US, and a town in London, UK — that makes a fresh way to honor an ancestral Richard.
  20. Ryo

    • Origin:

      Japanese

    • Meaning:

      "fact, reality, understand; distant; defy"

    • Description:

      A simple, importable Japanese name, that carries a multitude of meanings depending on which character is used to denote it. While most westerners pronounced it RY-o or REE-o, its real pronunciation is closer to REE-UH.