Names Ending in R for Boys

A Near Eastern favorite, with an agreeable, evocative sound. 

Tamir

This tough and attractive name is popular in its native Bosnia and Turkey, though globally, it might be better known in the form of Timur.
 Deriving literally from the Turkish word for the metal iron, Demir is also on the rise in the US, possibly due to its easy translation into English, its strong vibe, and its similarity to familiar choices like Zamir, Samir, and Emir. 
 
The similar Damir is currently in the US Top 1000, which may be pulling Demir up the charts. They can be viewed as alternative forms of the same name, however, Damir could also mean "given peace" from Serbian, or "heart and mind" in Arabic.
 
Given to 114 boys in 2023, Demir is notably borne by footballer, Yusuf Demir, musician Demir Demirkan, and by Demir The Dog, created by the popular plush brand, Squishmallows.

Demir

Vladimir is a cultured and deep-rooted Slavic name associated in this country with cultural figures including piano virtuoso Vladimir Horowitz and the author of Lolita, Vladimir Nabokov.

 The name Vladimir is rich in history, notably borne by Vladimir the Great, the 10th-11th century ruler of Kievan Rus' who brought Christianity to his nation and is now venerated as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Among the name's other famous – or infamous – bearers are several Russian political figures past and present, including Bolshevik leader Vladimir Lenin and current Russian president Putin. 

 Volodymyr is the Ukrainian form of the name, recently made internationally famous by Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskyy following the Russian invasion of his country. Other variations of this name in other European countries include Valdemar and Waldemar. All derive from Slavic roots vladěti, meaning "to rule," plus meru "great" or miru, "peace" or "world." Common Slavic diminutive forms include Volodya, Vova, Vladan and Vlatko.

 Long a common name throughout the Slavic world, Vladimir is featured in novels by Turgenev and Pushkin. Vladimir also has vampirish connections: Dracula is based on Vlad III, three-time ruler of Wallachia in the 15th century, otherwise known as Vlad the Impaler. A more modern literary character is Vladimir, one of the two main figures in Samuel Beckett's play Waiting for Godot.

Vladimir

The trendy gender-neutral Briar leans slightly more masculine with the Bryar spelling, given to about 60 baby boys last year in the US vs. 50 girls. By contrast, Briar was used for about 500 baby girls compared with 400 baby boys.
Why this turnaround from the usual rule, which holds that substituting a Y in the middle of a name tends to make it more feminine? Perhaps Bryar feels closer to Bryan this way, and also less flowery.

Bryar

Jasper and its many international variations, from Kasper to Casper to Gaspard, is finding new popularity.

Kasper

More common -- when it was common -- with the Meyer spelling. 

Mayer

Weighty, spiritual, and ambitious word names have become increasingly popular in recent years, with Messiah, Saint, and Chosen in the US Top 1000. Savoir feels a natural progression, and indeed, has doubled in use in recent years.
 
Associated with dangerous rescue missions, acts of heroism, or the redeeming powers of Jesus Christ, Savoir was given to 91 boys in a recent year. Alternative spelling Saviour was also used in the US, given to 48 babies, and when you combine with numbers, the name ranks around the #1300 mark, alongside Dale, Benton, Santi, and Deon. 
 
It is a bold choice and a lot to live up to, but it does have the grounding quality of sounding similar to more traditional choices like Salvador or Sawyer, and we can certainly see it rising. 
 
Influencers and content creators Rissa and Quan used Saviour for their son in 2022 which has coincided with increased use of both spellings of the name.

Savior

A striking Sikh name with a strong meaning. It belonged to one of the sons of Guru Gobind Singh; Zorawar Singh is one of the most hallowed martyrs in Sikhism. 

The name Zorawar (and its less common variant spelling Zoravar) is currently on the rise in the UK. It ranked at #962 in England and Wales in 2020.

Zorawar

Cristofer is a masculine name that offers an alternative spelling to the more common Christopher. Derived from Greek elements meaning 'bearing Christ,' the name has deep Christian roots and historical significance. This particular spelling variation maintains the original pronunciation while giving the name a distinctive appearance. Though less common than Christopher, the Cristofer spelling has gained some usage in Spanish-speaking communities and among parents seeking a slightly unique twist on the classic name. The name carries the same strong, virtuous associations as its traditional counterpart, referencing the legend of Saint Christopher, who carried the Christ child across a river. Cristofer balances familiarity with individuality, making it recognizable yet somewhat distinctive.

Cristofer

Jasir is a masculine name with Arabic origins, meaning 'brave,' 'courageous,' or 'bold.' The name carries strong positive connotations of valor and fortitude in Arabic-speaking cultures. Jasir has gained modest popularity in Muslim communities worldwide as parents seek names with both cultural significance and accessible pronunciation for global contexts. The name's straightforward pronunciation and meaningful etymology make it appealing to parents looking for names with substance. As multicultural naming practices become more common, Jasir represents a choice that honors Islamic tradition while working well in diverse settings. The name's association with bravery makes it an inspiring choice for a child.

Jasir

Lior is a unisex name frequently heard in Israel, capturing the popular light theme through its meaning.  For English speakers, the one down side is possible pronunciation confusion with "liar," though it's really lee-OR, with a long e sound and emphasis on the second syllable.

Lior

Strongly associated with the mega-popular single-named singer, who was actually the fourth Usher Raymond in his family. He could start a fad.
 
The Yiddish variation of Usher is commonly used in the Hasidic community.

Usher

Harper got its start as a celebrity baby name when Paul Simon chose it for his now-grown son. Since then, other famous parents have followed suit: musician Tim Finn and actor Cecilia Peck both have sons called Harper.

Other high-profile Harpers, like author (Nelle) Harper Lee and starbabies Harper Burtka-Harris and Harper Beckham, are female, but it makes a handsome choice for either sex (and is in the US Top 1000 for both boys and girls).

Harper

The girls have dibs on Spring, Summer, and Autumn, leaving this name evocative of snowy landscapes as the one possible seasonal choice for boys. And naturally, it's one of the most obvious <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/89/winter-baby-names">names for winter babies</a>.

Winter

Abubakr is a masculine name of Arabic origin, representing a variant transliteration of Abu Bakr. The name carries profound historical and religious significance in Islamic tradition, as Abu Bakr was the first caliph and closest companion of the Prophet Muhammad. The name literally means 'father of the camel foal' in Arabic, though its cultural importance far outweighs this literal translation. Abubakr is popular in Muslim communities worldwide, particularly in the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia. The name symbolizes wisdom, loyalty, and steadfast faith, qualities associated with the historical figure. Various spelling variations exist due to transliteration differences from Arabic script to Latin alphabet. Parents choosing this name often do so to honor religious heritage and to inspire values of integrity, leadership, and devotion.

Abubakr

Keller is a German surname that originated as an occupational name for a cellar or store master, which seems to be the background of several of the most stylish new <a href="https://nameberry.com/baby-names/805/german-names-for-boys">German names for boys</a>. One of the stylish new two-syllable -er ending names for boys, Keller is rising up the ranks heading for the Top 1000. It may be an honorific for Helen Keller.

Keller

Theodor is a classic masculine name of Greek origin meaning "gift of God," derived from the elements "theos" (God) and "doron" (gift). This spelling variant is particularly popular in Germanic and Scandinavian countries, including Germany, Austria, Norway, and Sweden. While the Theodore spelling is more common in English-speaking regions, Theodor has gained appreciation for its sophisticated European flair. The name has been borne by numerous notable figures throughout history, including composer Theodor Adorno, writer Theodor Herzl, and children's author Theodor Geisel (better known as Dr. Seuss). Theodor offers parents a timeless yet distinguished name option with appealing nickname possibilities including Theo, Ted, and Teddy.

Theodor

Avir is a masculine name with multicultural origins. In Hebrew, it means 'air' or 'atmosphere,' connecting the bearer to elemental qualities of freedom and expansiveness. In Sanskrit traditions, Avir can relate to energy or strength. The name's simplicity and distinctive sound have contributed to its modest but growing popularity among parents seeking unique names with cross-cultural appeal. Avir is appreciated for its brevity, modern feel, and positive associations with breathing and life itself. The name's short length makes it easily pronounceable in various languages, adding to its international versatility.

Avir

Aamir is a masculine name of Arabic origin meaning 'prosperous,' 'flourishing,' or 'commander.' This name is widely used throughout the Muslim world, particularly in South Asia, the Middle East, and among Muslim communities globally. Its popularity has been enhanced by notable bearers like Bollywood actor Aamir Khan. The doubled 'a' spelling distinguishes it from the variant Amir, though both share the same pronunciation and meaning. Aamir has seen increasing usage in Western countries as cultural borders blur and parents seek meaningful international names. The name carries positive connotations of leadership, abundance, and success. Its straightforward pronunciation despite the unusual spelling makes it accessible for global use.

Aamir

Casimir, a traditional name of Polish kings, could do quite well these days as we see the rise of Caspian, Cassius, Castiel, et. al. Like Leopold and Laszlo, Casimir is strong and worth considering if you've got an adventurous streak — and bet your son will too. An alternative commonly cited meaning that modern parents might prefer is "proclaimer of peace". The traditional Polish version of the name is Kazimierz.

Casimir

Boy names that end in R are one of the style leaders of the current baby-naming era, with many r-ending names for baby boys topping the popularity lists in the US and around the world.

 today in the US and many other English-speaking, ranking in the US Top 10. Alexander and Asher are runners up. Theodore, though it doesn't technically end with R, is also very popular.

 include Carter, Asher, Hunter, Connor, Xavier, Parker, and Sawyer.



Many of the boys' names that end in R originated as surnames drawn from

 — Carter carts things for a living, Hunter hunts, and Sawyer is a carpenter.

Unique and appealing boys names ending in R

 are plentiful, both in the occupational class and not. Our favorites include Booker, Abner, Eleazar, Gardener, Sayer — the list goes on and on.



If you're looking for a name ending in R for your baby boy, here's a complete collection of our hundreds of choices, ordered by their current popularity on Nameberry.

Baby boy names that end in the letter R with meanings, origins, and popularity, including top boy names ending in Ro such as Oliver and Cooper and unique R-end boy names such as Burr and Jupiter. (Page 9)

1310+ Boy Names That End in R