This list includes 58 American boy names that start with R, from “Rafael” to “Rylee”. The names include popular classics, modern variants, and culturally diverse choices used across the United States. Use them for baby naming, family research, or inspiration.
American boy names that start with R are male given names beginning with R and used in the United States. Many trace to varied linguistic roots; for example “Rafael” reflects Spanish and Hebrew traditions.
Below you’ll find the table with Name, Pronunciation, Origin/Meaning, and Source.
Name: This column shows the given name (for example, “Rafael”), so you can quickly scan options and spot favorites.
Pronunciation: This column gives a simple phonetic guide so you can say each name confidently and check its sound at a glance.
Origin/Meaning: This column provides a concise origin and one-line meaning to explain cultural background and name significance.
Source: This column cites the reference used, letting you follow up on usage or verify historical context quickly.
American boy names that start with R
| Name | Pronunciation | Origin/Meaning | Popularity (US) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robert | RAH-bert | Germanic: bright fame (BehindTheName) | 279 (2022) – SSA |
| Richard | RICH-ard | Germanic: brave ruler (BehindTheName) | 331 (2022) – SSA |
| Ryan | RY-an | Irish: little king (BehindTheName) | 84 (2022) – SSA |
| Raymond | RAY-mond | Germanic: wise protector (BehindTheName) | 433 (2022) – SSA |
| Ralph | RALF or RAYLF | Germanic: counsel, advice (BehindTheName) | 918 (2022) – SSA |
| Ramon | rah-MON | Spanish form of Raymond; wise protector (BehindTheName) | 465 (2022) – SSA |
| Rafael | rah-fah-EL | Hebrew via Spanish: God has healed (BehindTheName) | 240 (2022) – SSA |
| Raphael | rah-FAY-el | Hebrew: God has healed (BehindTheName) | 667 (2022) – SSA |
| Ralphie | RAL-fee | Diminutive of Ralph (BehindTheName) | — (2022) – SSA |
| Ray | RAY | Short form of Raymond/Raymond origin (BehindTheName) | 882 (2022) – SSA |
| Raymondo | ray-MON-do | Spanish/Italian variant of Raymond (BehindTheName) | — (2022) – SSA |
| Reed | REED | English: red; dweller by a reedy area (BehindTheName) | 616 (2022) – SSA |
| Reid | REED | Variant spelling of Reed; red-haired (BehindTheName) | 516 (2022) – SSA |
| Remy | REH-mee | French diminutive of Remi: oarsman (BehindTheName) | 360 (2022) – SSA |
| Remington | REH-ming-ton | English surname meaning settlement of Remy (BehindTheName) | 444 (2022) – SSA |
| Rhett | REHT | English: advice, counsel (via Rhett from Dutch) (BehindTheName) | 399 (2022) – SSA |
| Rhys | REES | Welsh: ardor, enthusiasm (BehindTheName) | 625 (2022) – SSA |
| Rhettley | REHT-lee | Modern elaboration of Rhett (varied sources) | — (2022) – SSA |
| Ricardo | ree-KAR-do | Spanish/Portuguese form of Richard, brave ruler (BehindTheName) | 478 (2022) – SSA |
| Richardson | rich-ARD-son | Patronymic surname meaning son of Richard (BehindTheName) | — (2022) – SSA |
| Rick | RICK | Short form of Richard (BehindTheName) | — (2022) – SSA |
| Rico | REE-ko | Short form of Ricardo; means ‘rich’ in Spanish (BehindTheName) | 712 (2022) – SSA |
| Riley | RYE-lee | Irish: courageous (BehindTheName) | 131 (2022) – SSA |
| Rivers | RIH-vers | English: dweller by the river (BehindTheName) | — (2022) – SSA |
| River | RIV-er | English: living near a river (BehindTheName) | 177 (2022) – SSA |
| Roberto | roh-BER-to | Italian/Spanish variant of Robert; bright fame (BehindTheName) | 391 (2022) – SSA |
| Rocco | RAH-ko | Italian: rest, rock (BehindTheName) | 558 (2022) – SSA |
| Roderick | roh-DER-ick | Germanic: famous ruler (BehindTheName) | — (2022) – SSA |
| Rodney | ROD-nee | English: island near clearing (BehindTheName) | 912 (2022) – SSA |
| Rodrigo | roh-DREE-go | Spanish/Portuguese form of Roderick; famous ruler (BehindTheName) | 547 (2022) – SSA |
| Roosevelt | ROO-zevelt | Dutch-origin surname, van Rosevelt family (US Census) | — (2022) – SSA |
| Rogelio | roh-HEH-lee-oh | Spanish form of Roger: famous spear (BehindTheName) | 842 (2022) – SSA |
| Roger | ROH-jer | Germanic: famous spear (BehindTheName) | 707 (2022) – SSA |
| Roland | ROH-land | Germanic: famous land (BehindTheName) | 879 (2022) – SSA |
| Rollo | ROH-loh | Norse diminutive of Roland (BehindTheName) | — (2022) – SSA |
| Roman | ROH-man | Latin: citizen of Rome (BehindTheName) | 46 (2022) – SSA |
| Romeo | ROH-meh-oh | Italian: pilgrim to Rome (BehindTheName) | 332 (2022) – SSA |
| Ronald | RAH-nald or RON-ald | Norse/Scottish: ruler’s advisor (BehindTheName) | 642 (2022) – SSA |
| Ronnie | RAHN-ee | Diminutive of Ronald or Ronald-like names (BehindTheName) | — (2022) – SSA |
| Ronan | ROH-nan | Irish: little seal (BehindTheName) | 223 (2022) – SSA |
| Roosevelt | ROO-zevelt | Dutch surname (US Census) | — (2022) – SSA |
| Rory | ROHR-ee | Gaelic: red king or champion (BehindTheName) | 334 (2022) – SSA |
| Roscoe | ROS-koh | Old Norse/English: deer forest (BehindTheName) | — (2022) – SSA |
| Rosendo | roh-SEN-doh | Spanish: fame of the gods (BehindTheName) | — (2022) – SSA |
| Roswell | ROSS-well | Old English: deer spring (BehindTheName) | — (2022) – SSA |
| Rowan | ROH-an or ROE-an | Gaelic: little red one; tree name (BehindTheName) | 236 (2022) – SSA |
| Roy | ROY | Old Norse/French: king (BehindTheName) | 663 (2022) – SSA |
| Ruben | ROO-ben | Hebrew: behold, a son (BehindTheName) | 278 (2022) – SSA |
| Reuben | ROO-ben | Hebrew: behold, a son (BehindTheName) | 625 (2022) – SSA |
| Rufus | ROO-fus | Latin: red-haired (BehindTheName) | — (2022) – SSA |
| Rudy | ROO-dee | Diminutive of Rudolph (BehindTheName) | — (2022) – SSA |
| Rush | RUSH | English: plant name or fast movement (BehindTheName) | — (2022) – SSA |
| Russell | RUSS-el | Old French: red-haired (BehindTheName) | 873 (2022) – SSA |
| Rusty | RUS-tee | Nickname from red hair/rust color (BehindTheName) | — (2022) – SSA |
| Ryland | RY-land | Old English: rye land (BehindTheName) | 498 (2022) – SSA |
| Ryker | RYE-ker | Modern surname-inspired name (Dutch/Germanic roots) (BehindTheName) | 221 (2022) – SSA |
| Rylan | RYE-lən | Blend/variant from Ryan + Dylan (modern coinage) (BehindTheName) | 107 (2022) – SSA |
| Rylee | RYE-lee | Variant of Riley; used for boys and girls (BehindTheName) | — (2022) – SSA |
Descriptions
Robert
Classic, long-used American name; many nicknames (Rob, Bobby), historic popularity from colonial times to present.
Richard
Traditional strong name; short forms Rick, Rich, Dick. Famous bearers: Richard Nixon, Richards in literature.
Ryan
Popular for decades in the U.S.; unisex usage occasional. Friendly, modern sound.
Raymond
Old-fashioned revival feel; Ray is a common short form. Long American usage.
Ralph
Vintage name with a quirky, distinguished vibe; pronounced RAYLF or RALF regionally.
Ramon
Common in Hispanic-American communities; pronounced rah-MON or RAY-mon.
Rafael
Popular in Latino communities; spelled Rafael/Raphael variants; artistic and biblical associations.
Raphael
Classic biblical/artistic name; Renaissance and angelic associations; sometimes shortened to Rafe.
Ralphie
Not commonly recorded alone in SSA top lists; used informally as nickname and occasional given name. (excluded from SSA rank)
Ray
Simple, friendly one-syllable name; used on its own and as a nickname.
Raymondo
Rare but recorded in U.S. birth records; used in Hispanic communities as variant of Raymond.
Reed
Short, one-syllable surname-turned-first-name; crisp sound, literary feel.
Reid
Spelling variant common in U.S.; sleek, modern single-syllable name.
Remy
Gentle, European-flavored name used for boys (and increasingly unisex). Pop culture presence.
Remington
Surname-to-first-name trend; rugged, surname-style option; nickname Remy or Rem.
Rhett
Southern charm due to Gone With the Wind; strong two-syllable name with cinematic flair.
Rhys
Welsh-origin name rising in U.S.; pronounced REES, sometimes spelled Reese for English speakers.
Rhettley
Rare/creative form; occasionally appears in U.S. records but not common in SSA top lists.
Ricardo
Popular in Hispanic communities; lively three-syllable name with nickname Rico or Rick.
Richardson
Primarily a surname; occasionally used as a given name in the U.S.; surname-style choice.
Rick
Often a nickname; sometimes given as legal name. Retro mid-century feel.
Rico
Spirited, two-syllable Spanish nickname used as given name in the U.S.
Riley
Originally surname, used heavily as male and female name; unisex popularity, playful sound.
Rivers
Modern nature/surname choice; occasionally recorded in U.S. births.
River
Nature-inspired name; popular and gender-neutral in modern U.S. naming trends.
Roberto
Common in Latino communities; classic, romantic three-syllable name.
Rocco
Strong, punchy Italian name; sports and entertainment associations in the U.S.
Roderick
Traditional, medieval-flavored name; sometimes shortened to Rod or Roddy; less common now.
Rodney
More common mid-20th century; carries a vintage American vibe today.
Rodrigo
Popular in Hispanic communities; melodic and historical.
Roosevelt
Used in honorific style after presidents; rare but recorded as given name in U.S.
Rogelio
Hispanic-American usage; lively Spanish pronunciation and nickname options.
Roger
Classic mid-century name; crisp consonant sounds, less common for newborns now.
Roland
Epic, literary name (Roland the paladin); stately and old-world.
Rollo
Rare in U.S., historical Viking associations; occasionally used as playful given name.
Roman
Rapidly popular modern classic; strong, international appeal and simple pronunciation.
Romeo
Romantic literary connotations (Shakespeare); stylish and expressive choice.
Ronald
Big mid-century presence (e.g., Ronald Reagan); now vintage comeback option.
Ronnie
Often a nickname; sometimes legal first name. Friendly, informal tone.
Ronan
Celtic charm, short and memorable; rising U.S. popularity with literary/TV exposure.
Roosevelt
Used occasionally in honor of presidents; more common as middle name or surname.
Rory
Energetic and unisex in some regions; known from British/Irish usage and pop culture.
Roscoe
Vintage American name with playful sound; has niche, hipster usage.
Rosendo
Rare but present in U.S. Hispanic communities; stylized Spanish name.
Roswell
Retro Americana vibe; linked to place-name associations.
Rowan
Unisex usage; nature association (rowan tree); popular across regions.
Roy
Short, classic name; vintage but still used, pronounced like “roy” (king).
Ruben
Biblical name common in Hispanic and Jewish communities; also spelled Reuben.
Reuben
Biblical, old-fashioned charm with modern revival in some circles.
Rufus
Vintage and distinctive; used sporadically in the U.S., carries a quirky historic feel.
Rudy
Often used as a nickname; upbeat and approachable, sometimes standalone given name.
Rush
Short, bold surname-to-first-name; rare but recorded in U.S. births.
Russell
Solid, slightly old-school; actor Russell Crowe/actor Russell names add recognition.
Rusty
Informal/nostalgic; more common historically as a nickname than legal first name.
Ryland
Surname-turned-first-name; modern, polished two-syllable choice.
Ryker
Edgy, strong-sounding modern name popularized in recent U.S. naming trends.
Rylan
Very contemporary, popular in the 2010s; several spelling variants (Rylan, Ryland).
Rylee
More common as feminine spelling; included here only when used for boys in U.S. records.