Updated October 2026
Across 17 pages
of 17
Irish
"floodtide, abundance, prosperity"
Jaunty and dapper, Rafferty is one of the most engaging of the Irish surnames, used by Jude Law and Sadie Frost for their son in 1996. Derived from the Irish, O'Raighbheartaigh, it means "(spring)…
"illustrious and mighty"
This distinguished surname belonged to one of Ireland's great princely families. Its many variations include Rourke (as in actor Mickey), and O'Rourke. The family surname is thought to be one of the…
French from Latin
"russet"
Roux is the name of the dashing Johnny Depp character in Chocolat . Roux is French from a Latin word meaning russet or brownish red; it's also a cooking term for a mixture of flour and butter that…
Compound name, blending Ruth and Anne
"compassionate and gracious friend"
Short and sharp but endearing too, Ruthanne is a combination of two classic names. Briefly popular in the 40s, Ruthanne is still given to around 15 girls each year - and, with Ruthie back on the…
English
"rainbow"
Colorful, yes, but also probably among the hippiest of hippie names. Holly Madison recently chose it for her little girl.
Compound name, combining Rose and Ann
"graceful rose"
A shaper, more succinct variation on Roseanne, Rosanne or Roseanna, Roseann was popular in the 1940s.
Rosette is a delicate feminine name with French origins, functioning as a diminutive form of Rose. It literally means 'little rose,' referring to the small, rose-shaped decoration or ribbon…
English word name
"rejoice"
Revel is a joyous word name that may appeal to parents wanting a non-traditional Biblical choice or simply a name that expresses how they feel.
Hebrew
"high, lofty"
In the US, best known as the name of Rahm Emanuel, former mayor of Chicago and White House Chief of Staff under President Obama.
Finnish and Scandinavian variation of Erasmus
"beloved, desired"
A form of ancient name newly popular in Eastern Europe, Rasmus is rugged and distinctive - and on trend in Estonia and Finland. Virtually unknown in the U.S. but with its philosophical roots and…
Nature name and surname, English
"rivers"
Rivers is an indisputably unisex surname with is strong nature connotation and its connection to the character Diana Rivers from Charlotte Bronte's novel Jane Eyre . Rivers is also the first name of…
"beautiful rose"
Rosabel, a vintage smoosh name created in the 18th century, feels slightly less frilly than her cousins Rosabelle and Rosabella. It could make for a more distinctive alternative to Isabel, or an…
German
"horse protection"
This lovely, quintessentially British appellation, also spelled Rosamond, is the name of a legendary twelfth-century beauty. Rare on these shores, it is more than worthy of importation. There was a…
Literary name
Created by Sarah J. Maas for the handsome High Lord of her Court of Thorns and Roses series of fantasy romance novels. Rhysand is based on the Welsh name Rhys, meaning "ardor".
Italian word name
"coastline"
Riviera may work for lovers of River who want something rarer and more elaborate for their little girl. The A ending adds a feminine touch. Riviera first debuted as a given name in 2010.
Variation of Reign or Rain; English word name
"royal authority; water falling in drops condensed from vapor in the atmosphere"
Rein, along with Reign, have taken over from Rain as a trendy word name. Should you rein it in or let it rein? Okay, bad puns we know, but that's the downside of word names. This is a true unisex…
English, Arabic
"advisor; red; cool, extremely good; thunder"
The cool and edgy Rad might just work as a fresh spin on the likes of Brad, Chad, Rod, and Randy. Used as a word to describe something exciting and extremely good, it's a synonym for cool, awesome,…
Latin, from the phrase rosa alba
"white rose"
One of many Spanish elaborations of Rosa.
Latin form of Rolf
"wolf"
Rollo is a livelier, roly-poly, o-ending version of Roland. Although it sounds modern, Rollo actually was seen regularly on Latin documents in the Middle Ages, though not heard in everyday speech.…
Word name
"newcomer, beginner, new recruit, learner"
Comparatively modest in an age of Saints, Messiahs, and Chosens, Rookie has a sporty, energetic feel about it. Associated with being new to something, particularly in relation to the army, police, or…