Fiery but slight middle name choice; much more apt to be a redhead's nickname.

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.

Oh, the many spellings of Rafaella. Those with Fs and double-Ls denote Italian origins, while an F and a single L is Spanish and Portuguese. The original Hebrew form is Raphaela.

Cool and casual, a la humorist Ring (born Ringgold. ) Lardner.

Romero is one of the less common variations of the stylish family of Rome-related names. Only 32 baby boys were named Romero in the US last year, versus nearly 5000 named Roman and 1100 named Romeo.

The Spanish and Portuguese form of popular Ruby is another addition to the list of attractive gem names for girls, that might sometimes be used by English speaking parents who want their child's name to stand out when written down. Rubi is also of Japanese origin, and associated with another gemstone: the lapis lazuli.

Naming babies after precious gems as a protection against evil spirits is an ancient Japanese tradition.

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.

Stuffy presidential choice: consider Hayes instead.

An unusual surname-style choice with a strong meaning and potential for nicknames Ford and Red. Associated with the actor Robert Redford, it was also used for a one of the main characters in the 2019 novel Get a Life, Chloe Brownby author Talia Hibbert.

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

Reinette was the childhood nickname of Madame La Pompadour, perhaps a cute short form for Regina or Reina but hardly worthy of the full name on the birth certificate today.

Now that Kenji is rising up the ranks, it's only a matter of time before parents discover Renji. Renji Abarai is a character in the anime series Bleach, in which the kanji used for his name mean "second love" or "second romance."

Anglicized form of Ruadh

This intriguing Scandinavian name is associated with Roald Dahl, author of the juvenile classics James and the Giant Peach and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. You can honor an ancestral Ronald just by dropping that middle 'n'.

This name is hanging on as Renee, thanks to Ms. Zellweger, and in newer forms Renae and Renny.

Rion is a masculine name with multiple possible origins. It may be derived from the Irish name Ryan, meaning 'little king,' or from the Greek word meaning 'flowing.' Some consider it a variation of Orion, the legendary hunter from Greek mythology. In Japanese contexts, Rion can be written with characters meaning 'jasmine' and 'sound' or other combinations. This multicultural name has gained modest popularity in recent decades across several countries, appealing to parents seeking short, strong-sounding names with international appeal. The name's brevity gives it a modern feel, while its various cultural connections provide depth and versatility. Rion projects an image of strength and individuality with a cosmopolitan flair.

A contemporary spelling of the English surname Ruston, Rustyn originally referred to someone who lived in a marshy town where grass-like rush plants grew. In 2024, however, it became a fast rising choice for boys in the US when it was given to 70 babies, compared to just 12 the year prior. In fact nearly a quarter of all Rustyns born in the US were born in 2024.

A much prettier and feminine version of the boys name Ryan which is starting to be used for girls, while still retaining the Irish feel and the regal meaning.

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.