Dog Names That Start With R

Coined in the 1940s: an acronym of "radio detection and ranging".

Short but substantial.

This regal Spanish name combines several of today's top trends: names that end in S, last names that can also be first names, royal-sounding names, and unisex options. It has a long history of use in Spain as both a surname and a given name.

Ridger isn't particularly common as a surname but we expect it to pick up in popularity as a first name, a la rising names Bridger and Ridge.

Rori is a feminine name with Gaelic origins, though it can occasionally be used for boys as well. Traditionally, it's a feminine variation of Rory, which means 'red king' in Gaelic. The name has a bright, lively quality with its short, upbeat sound. Rori maintains connections to Celtic heritage while having a contemporary feel that works well across cultural boundaries. The name has gained modest popularity in English-speaking countries since the late 20th century, particularly appealing to parents seeking short, spunky names for girls that avoid overly frilly associations. Its simplicity makes it easy to pronounce and spell while remaining distinctive. The name combines traditional roots with a modern sensibility, offering a balance of heritage and contemporary style.

This spirited Spanish variation of Rosa was familiar in the mid-20th century, but is used more quietly now. Given to around 35 babies in the US each year, it could work as a fresh alternative to Roberta or Rosie.

Rosebud, a charming flower name, was the childhood nickname used for author Nathaniel Hawthorne's daughter Rose, who made a name for herself by founding the modern hospice movement. Rose Hawthorne Lathrop converted to Catholicism and, after her husband's death, founded a religious order called the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne. As a nun and head of that order, she became known as Mother Mary Alphonsa and is now in line for sainthood in the Catholic Church.

Harvard's sibling.

In this country, likely to conjure up visions of leafy lettuce.

Confident Middle Eastern choice. Children will relate to the Rafiki form via the wise guru in Disney's "The Lion King."

An auspicious choice connected to dragons. English speakers will have difficulty pronouncing this name in Japanese — it's all one syllable, with barely any emphasis on the R sound.

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.

Rira is a truly multicultural name with roots in four different languages. It's most common as a Japanese name, where it can be made up of various kanji combinations with meanings such as "good plum" and "easy pear." In French, it means "laugh."

Scottish Gaelic form of Richard, also found as Risteard.

Royalty is a super-hot name for girls, but there's no reason it can't be used for boys too. In fact it is, but only about 5 percent of the time, making it one of those unisex names whose usage is tipped so far toward one gender that it isn't truly unisex. But still, English words are usually not intrinsically gendered so Royalty is perfectly appropriate for boys as well as girls and is one of the fastest-rising unisex names.

Used in Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, this strong-sounding name belonged to a hero in Persian legend. Its derivation is unclear, but the consensus seems to be that it relates to the hero’s great size and strength, possibly from Avestan raodha "to grow" and takhma "strong, brave, valiant".

Rongo is a masculine Maori name stemming from both the name of a god and also the Maori word for peace, "rangimarie", which itself is occasionally used as a feminine name. Rongo was the name of the Maori god of cultivated food and of peace. In Maori culture the two ideas are closely linked - food can only be cultivated and plentiful when communities are at peace and working together. If Ringo, Rango and Rocco can get a look in, why not Rongo?

Common Spanish surname that can work as a first.

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.