Spanish Names that Start With R

  1. Rafael
    • Origin:

      Spanish; German; Croatian; Portuguese, variation of Raphael, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "God has healed"
    • Description:

      Energetic, sunny, and slightly romantic, Rafael is a popular choice in Germany, Spain, Portugal, and Croatia. Used internationally, Rafael is a Spanish variation of Raphael, that lends itself easily to the nicknames Rafi, Rafa and Rafe.
  2. Rio
    • Origin:

      Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "river; place of the cherry blossoms"
    • Description:

      Rio is a reductive ranchero place-name with an attractive Tex-Mex lilt. No Doubt's Tom Dumont has a son named Rio Atticus.
  3. Ramona
    • Origin:

      Spanish, feminine variation of Ramon
    • Meaning:

      "wise protector"
    • Description:

      Ramona is a sweet spot name – neither too trendy nor too eccentric. Kids will associate it with the clever Ramona Quimby character in the series of books by Beverly Cleary, also seen on TV. It was chosen by starcouple Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard for their little girl, who would be joined by sister Gloria.
  4. Rosalind
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "soft horse or pretty rose"
    • Description:

      Rosalind has a distinguished literary history – used and popularized by Edmund Spenser and Shakespeare via one of his most charming heroines, in As You Like It. Along with a bouquet of other Rose names, Rosalind might be ready for a comeback.
  5. Rosa
    • Origin:

      Latinate variation of Rose
    • Meaning:

      "rose, a flower"
    • Description:

      As sweet-smelling as Rose but with an international flavour, Rosa is one of the most classic Portuguese, Spanish and Italian names, which is also favored by upper-class Brits, having an ample measure of vintage charm. Rosa has been on the popularity charts for every year that's been counted, especially popular from the 1880s through the beginning of the twentieth century.
  6. Rio
    • Origin:

      Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "river or place of the cherry blossoms"
    • Description:

      Rio is one of Japan's most popular girls' names, constantly sitting in that country's Top 10. Of course, Rio may also stem from the Portuguese and Spanish word for river, and the Brazilian city Rio de Janeiro. A truly international name for a cosmopolitan baby!
  7. Reina
    • Origin:

      Spanish, Yiddish or Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "queen; pure; wise"
    • Description:

      An appellation for the Virgin Mary, "Queen of the apostles." After three years off the US popularity charts, Reina rejoined the list in 2014, though it lags behind alternate spellings Raina, Rayna, and Reyna. It is also used in Yiddish and in Japanese.
  8. Rosalia
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "rose"
    • Description:

      Elegant and bright with plenty of flair, Rosalia is widely-used in Spain and Italy, where there is a Sicilian Saint Rosalia. The name Rosalia refers back to the annual Roman ceremony of hanging garlands of roses on tombs, which could make it work as a commemorative name, though today it would most likely be used in honor of the uni-named Spanish pop star Rosalía.
  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. Rosalina
    • Origin:

      Variation of Rosaline, English
    • Meaning:

      "rose"
    • Description:

      A feminine and fragrant member of the Rose family.
  11. Rodrigo
    • Origin:

      Spanish and Portuguese variation of Roderick
    • Meaning:

      "famous ruler"
    • Description:

      Rhythmically appealing international spin on the stiff original.
  12. Rocio
    • Origin:

      Spanish
    • Meaning:

      "dewdrops"
    • Description:

      This name, which refers to Mary as the Virgin of the Dew, is all but unknown in the Anglo community, but popular enough in Hispanic families that it made the US Top 1000 until least until 2006. Also spelled Rocío, it remains popular in Spain and Chile, where it ranks in the Top 100.
  13. Raquel
    • Origin:

      Spanish variation of Rachel
    • Meaning:

      "ewe"
    • Description:

      Attractive name popular in the Latino community, long identified with half-Bolivian actress Raquel Welch. Similarly to the Hebrew form Rachel, Raquel is past its peak. Nonetheless, it retains a certain sparkle and would feel newly refreshing for a baby today.
  14. Rosita
    • Origin:

      Spanish, diminutive of Rosa
    • Meaning:

      "rose"
    • Description:

      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.
  15. Rafaela
    • Origin:

      Spanish and Portuguese version of Hebrew Raphaela
    • Meaning:

      "God has healed"
    • Description:

      This euphonious and lovely name is an internationally appealing choice, that, like Gabriela and Isabela before it, is beginning to be drawn into the American mainstream. Also spelled Raffaella (Italian), Raffaela (German), or Raphaela (Hebrew), it was given to around 50 girls in the US in 2023.
  16. Ricardo
    • Origin:

      Portuguese and Spanish variation of Richard
    • Meaning:

      "dominant ruler"
    • Description:

      Richard is far from fashionable, but Ricardo is one of the most popular Spanish names for boys in the US. And it does sound far more appealing that the English version.
  17. 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.
  18. Rosario
    • Origin:

      Spanish
    • Meaning:

      "rosary"
    • Description:

      Anglo parents are taking note of this Hispanic classic, thanks to actress Rosario Dawson and a character on Will & Grace. Poetic and powerful, it comes from the Spanish title of the Virgin Mary, Nuestra Señora del Rosario, or "Our Lady of the Rosary", Rosary referring to vocal and mental prayer in Catholicism, that reflect on the life of Christ and his Mother.
  19. Rolando
    • Origin:

      Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese variation of Roland, German
    • Meaning:

      "famous throughout the land"
    • Description:

      Rolando, along with brother name Orlando, are among the most attractive and appealing of Latinate names. It has been in the US Top 1000 every year since 1946.
  20. Renato
    • Origin:

      Spanish and Italian
    • Meaning:

      "reborn"
    • Description:

      Elegant and worldly.

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