American Names that Start With R

Raylan, one of an uncountable number of two syllable, surname-like <a href="https://nameberry.com/boys-names">boys’ names</a> end in n that are in style these days, is inspired by Raylan Givens, the cowboy hat-wearing U.S. Marshall created by writer Elmore Leonard and starring in the television series <em>Justified</em>.  The Ray part of the name is of course a traditional choice -- it's usually said to mean "wise" -- but the lan takes it out of Old School Raymond territory.  Other variations include Raylen, Raylon, Rayden and so on.  The name is also sometimes given to girls, but not nearly as often as it is for boys.

Raylan

Rowdy was first famously used as a given name in the television series Rawhide, with the young Clint Eastwood playing Rowdy Yates.  More recently, competitive swimmer Rowdy Gaines has been featured in a series of TV commercials, and a new badass baby name is gaining notice.  
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The word Rowdy originated in the U.S. in the early 19th century, used to describe a rough or lawless backwoodsman. It's one of the distinctly <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/519/american-baby-names">American names</a>. In fact, 2024 saw it feature as one of the fast rising names of the year when it entered the US Top 1000 for the first time when it was given to 250 boys.


Rowdy

Riana

Raylan may be on the rise as a baby name thanks to (male) TV lawman Raylan Givens, but the name is also occasionally used for girls: the statistical gender split is 15 to 1.  The -lan ending might be thought of as Lynn-like, with Raylan an updated spin on such midcentury concoctions as Rae-Lynn.

American Names that Start With R

The names

Raylan

Rowdy

Riana

Raylan