Boys' names beginning with R
Names official statistics record as used for boys, whose recorded spelling begins with this letter.
Usage is read from official statistics — which of a registrar's lists published the name — never from an opinion about the name and never as a statement about any child. A name published on both lists is recorded as used for both and is not in either of these pages.
486 names beginning with "R"
Full profile: deeper editorial detail. Official popularity record: sourced statistical evidence, editorial detail not yet written. Name identity record: exists in the catalogue with limited current evidence. Namewise is expanding editorial depth over time.
The Anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Riain, a patronymic from the given name Rian. The exact meaning of Rian itself remains uncertain, despite a popular but unconfirmed 'little king' gloss.
From Germanic Hrodebert, combining 'hruod' (fame) with 'beraht' (bright) — 'bright fame'. Introduced to Britain by the Normans, later borne by Robert the Bruce.
An Irish surname (variant of Reilly) or an English surname meaning 'rye clearing' — its use as a first name is relatively modern, dating from the 1980s-90s.
From Old German elements 'rih' (ruler, king) and 'hart' (hard, firm, brave, hardy) — 'brave ruler'. Introduced to England by the Normans in the 11th century.
Traced to the Irish surname lineage behind Ryan (descendant of Riaghan/Rian) rather than a standalone root word. A popular claim that it means 'little king' is a folk etymology found on baby-name websites, not a scholarly derivation — the true root of the underlying Old Irish name is unclear.
From the Latin Romanus, meaning 'Roman' — borne by several early saints and medieval rulers of Bulgaria, Kyiv and Moldavia.
Behind the Name hedges the meaning with 'probably' — possibly derived from a root meaning 'ardour' or 'enthusiasm'.
Showing 24 of 60 names on this page.