Red Dog Names

Short but substantial, Russ does not need the full-form Russell to go on the birth certificate. Russ strikes a nice balance between familiar, friendly, and underused.

A rare alternative to Roman or Ruben, with a sweet meaning for a rosy-cheeked baby boy.

Russet has a lot of potential. It's a rustic word name, associated with homespun cloth, apples, and an earthy shade of reddish-brown. At the same time, it's similar enough to the likes of Russell, Ross, Bennet and Emmett that it doesn't sound too out of place. Surprisingly, however, it has never featured in the US charts — perhaps held back by its link to potatoes?

Atkin is a short form of Adam that originated in Medieval England. It's now obsolete, but traces remain in surnames such as Atkins and Atkinson.

Flanagan is an elabortion of Flann, and cousin of Flynn and Finn: a member of the family of colorful Irish red-headed names. This one is lively and undiscovered.

Peppy cheerleader name of the 1960s and 70s that's sure to evoke the Four Seasons song of that name.

A handsome and rare Hebrew name related to Adam — it was given to fewer than five American babies in the United States in 2021.

Rousseau gives French flair to other red-haired names like Russell and Rory. It is associated with the influential eighteenth century philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, as well as the painter Henri Rousseau.

Ron Burgundy was Will Ferrell's fictional helmet-haired newsman, but this color name is much more suited to a girl.

A feminine form of Rufus, which has potential in the current trend for ancient Roman names.

Harvard's sibling.

An Italian surname — a variant of Rossi — meaning "red", hence a red-headed person. Russo is punchy and full of gusto, and very rare as a first name. It debuted on the US charts for boys in 2019.

Carnelian is an ochre-colored semi-precious gemstone, named after a type of cherry.

The surname Rudd, made most famous by Antman actor Paul, derives from the words ruddy or red and may have originally been given to someone with a reddish complexion.

More unusual than Dakota or Austin, Colorado conjures images of majestic mountains and windswept wilderness. Some will prefer the more preppy Aspen, but Colorado feels like the true explorer.

One of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland, St. Ruadan was a follower of St. Finian and founded an abbey in Tipperary. Other versions include Ruadhain or Ruadhan.

The color red was considered to have magical properties in early Japanese culture, with the power to cure blood and other illnesses. Pronounced ah-kah-ko.

Flanna is an uncommon name for a red-haired girl, not as familiar -- or some would say, as pretty -- as its nickname, Flannery.

Colorful middle name choice.

A popular choice right now in Japan, where it recently ranked in the Top 10.