Scandinavian Names that Start With R

Fairly popular a hundred years ago but out of sight now, the quirky Roscoe deserves a place on every adventurous baby-namer's long list. It joins Rufus, Roman, Remy, Romulus, and Ray as one of the R names that sound fresh again after too many years of Robert, Richard, and Ronald.

An fearsome old Norse name with a long history in Scandinavia. It's gotten a boost in the States from popularity of the History Channel drama "Vikings," in which the protagonist is named Ragnar. Ragnar Lodbrok (meaning "shaggy pants") was a legendary warrior whose story was told in the Viking sagas. Ragnar also recalls name of the Norse Judgment Day, Ragnarök.

To many people, Ronald is off playing shuffleboard with Donald, though others aren't swayed by its old man image. In the Top 10 in the late 1930s through the mid-1940s, the name later came to be strongly associated with President Reagan, along with his nicknames, Ron and Ronnie—as well as with the McDonald franchise mascot. A more youthful bearer is the likable character Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter series. In the early days of Hollywood, Ronald Colman was a dashing matinee idol.

Pippi Longstocking author Astrid Lindgren invented the name Ronja for her book Ronja, the Robber's Daughter. She was inspired by the lake Juronjaure, located in Norrbotten, Sweden.

Original and straightforward, but with little appeal.

As an Arabic name, Rania is a variation of Raniya, ultimately derived from the Arabic word ranā meaning "to gaze" or "side look". Other descendants of this root include Ranya and Rana itself. Familiar in the UK, Spain, the Netherlands and France, Rania is currently borne by Rania Al Abdullah, Queen of Jordan.

A favorite in Near Eastern cultures, with a charming meaning.

While this may look like an animal related word name to those unfamiliar with it, Roar is a Norwegian name derived from the Old Norse element hróðr meaning "fame". combined with either herr meaning "warrior" or "geirr meaning "spear". It can also be spelled as Hroar.

Apt to be confused with Raquel.

Ragnvald is a masculine Norse name with deep historical roots in Scandinavian culture. Derived from the Old Norse elements 'regin' meaning 'counsel' or 'the gods' and 'valdr' meaning 'ruler,' Ragnvald essentially translates to 'ruler advised by the gods' or 'divine ruler.' This powerful name was borne by several Norwegian kings and earls during the Viking Age, including Ragnvald Eysteinsson, a 9th-century Norwegian earl. Though uncommon outside of Norway and Sweden today, Ragnvald represents a connection to Norse heritage and carries connotations of leadership, strength, and divine wisdom. The name has retained its traditional usage in Scandinavia while remaining relatively rare globally, making it a distinctive choice for parents seeking a name with authentic Norse origins and historical significance.

Pretty but slight.

Rickarda is a feminine name that represents the female form of Richard, which comes from Germanic elements meaning 'powerful' and 'brave' or 'hardy.' This strong name carries connotations of leadership and courage. While less common than its male counterpart, Rickarda has appeared occasionally throughout European history, particularly in Germanic and Scandinavian regions. The name offers potential nicknames such as Ricki, Ricky, or Rica. Though relatively rare in contemporary usage, Rickarda may appeal to parents seeking a feminine name with historical depth that still conveys strength and resilience. Its distinctiveness makes it stand out while maintaining connections to the more familiar Richard.

Pronounced ROOT in its native land, but in a rut here.