What customs and traditions are associated with English baby names?

English naming customs typically involve three elements - a given name, a middle name (s), and a family name. The British follow a patrilineal naming system where the child inherits their fathers family name. However, following the patrilineal naming system is not mandatory. Instead, parents have the freedom to choose their childs last name. Some parents could also give their child the mothers last name. In contrast, others may provide both mother and father surnames in a hyphenated form, reflecting the flexibility in English naming traditions and customs.

How do English baby names reflect a person's heritage?

English naming conventions are diverse, encompassing people from different religions, ethnicities, and cultural backgrounds. Many parents may opt for names that mirror their ethnic and cultural connections. For example, parents of Irish heritage may choose titles like Liam. On the other hand, those of Greek origin might opt for names like Sophia or Alexander. Parents may also pick names that reflect their regional heritage. For example, Devon and Kent are names inspired by specific regions or places within England. Furthermore, many families pass down names from one generation to another or choose monikers inspired by literary and historical figures.

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829 English Baby Names with Meaning, Starting With R

Written by Shikha Thakur, MBA Specialty: Relationships and Baby NamesExperience: 7 years

Shikha is a writer-turned-editor at MomJunction, with over seven years of experience in the field of content. Having done a certification in Relationship Coaching, her core interest lies in writing articles that guide couples through their courtship to marriage and parenthood.

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Edited by Siddharth Kesiraju, MA, Certification in Relationship Coaching Specialty: Love, Marriage and RelationshipsExperience: 7 years

Siddharth holds a certification in Relationship Coaching and a masters degree in communication and journalism from the University of Hyderabad. He has around seven years of experience in various fields of writing and editing.

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Fact-checked by Praggya Joshi, MA, BEd Specialty: Child education & activitiesExperience: 2 years

Praggya Joshi holds a bachelor's degree in Education and a master's in Ancient Indian History from University of Delhi. She has a robust knowledge of literature, society, and ethics. Praggya has been a content writer since 2021, researching and writing on education, health and wellness, and travel.

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Last Updated on Oct 3, 2023

Illustration: MomJunction Design Team

Name	Gender	Meaning
Rylee	Girl	Rye clearing
Rowan	Boy	Red-haired; Little redhead; River in Paradise
Rose	Girl	Rose; Flower
Ruth	Girl	Friend; Companion
Richard	Boy	Brave ruler; Mighty king; Firm ruler
Rachel	Girl	Ewe; Female sheep
Riley	Boy	Courageous; Valiant
Remington	Boy	Settlement by the Riming stream
Rory	Boy	Red king
Rebecca	Girl	To tie; To bind

Raymond	Boy	Counseling protector
Rylan	Boy	A meadow on an island; Little king
Russell	Boy	Red haired
Rosemary	Girl	Rose; Dew of the sea
Rylie	Girl	Courageous; Rye clearing
Royce	Boy	Rose; Ruddy; Of renowned king
Reed	Boy	Red
Regina	Girl	Queen
Rosie	Girl	Beautiful rose; A variant of Rós Ailínn
Roy	Boy	King; Red

Ridge	Boy	One who comes from the hill; From the ridge
Rayan	Boy	Wise; Smart; Thinker; Watered; Luxuriant; Little king; Gate to Heaven
Ronald	Boy	Ruler's counselor; Ruler of decision; Judgment power
Reyna	Girl	Counsel; Queen
Raylan	Boy	Counselor; Beam of light; Rye land
Roger	Boy	Famous warrior; Famous spear
Rayden	Boy	Wise; Counsel
Randy	Boy	Strong Defender; Son of the Shield; Wolf on shield rim; Admirable; Wonderful
Rey	Boy	King; Female roe deer
Ricky	Boy	A tough, strong, hard ruler

Riggs	Boy	Son of a man who lives near the ridge
Ramona	Girl	Wise protector; Advice; Counsel
Ray	Boy	Wise; Counsel; Decision; Beam of light
Ryann	Girl	Little queen
Rocky	Boy	Rest
Raina	Girl	Queen; Night; Pure; Advice
Rodney	Boy	Roda's island; Island near the clearing
Reginald	Boy	Advice and rule
Raylynn	Unisex	Beam of light; Combination of the names Ray and Lynn
Ruthie	Girl	Friend; Companion

Rowdy	Boy	A noisy and mischievous person
Ralph	Boy	Wolf counsel
Rilynn	Girl	A brave heart of a woman
Rhiannon	Girl	Great queen; Great goddess
Rylen	Boy	He who is from the rye clearing
Ramsey	Boy	Garlic Island
Roselynn	Girl	Beautiful or pretty rose
Roan	Boy	A raven
Raleigh	Boy	From the deer meadow; Red clearing; Roe deer clearing
Rosalynn	Girl	A horse who is gentle as a rose

Rebeca	Girl	To tie; To bind
Rip	Boy	One who comes from the strip of land that is cleared
Rhylee	Girl	One who dwells near the field of rye
Rayleigh	Girl	Red clearing; Roe deer meadow; Bright clearing
Ransom	Boy	A son of a shield maker
Raeleigh	Unisex	Deer's meadow; Roe deer's clearing
Rosemarie	Girl	Bitter rose; Dew of the sea
Raylen	Boy	He who was born to counsel people
Roderick	Boy	Famous ruler
Rayla	Girl	Beam of light; Terabinth tree; Beam of light; Goddess; Wise protector

Reggie	Boy	Powerful advisor; Wise ruler
Rockwell	Boy	To be like a stone; Like a rock
Riggins	Unisex	Son of Rigg
Ridley	Boy	Reed clearing; Channel clearing
Romi	Girl	My height, my exaltation; Dew of the sea
Reef	Boy	A reef, or an underwater or partly submerged ledge
Romello	Boy	A Roman person
Ripley	Boy	Words that come from the mouth of him who shouts
Rosaleigh	Girl	She is a rose
Rickey	Boy	A ruler who is kind, loved, and powerful; One who is a complete ruler

Rayne	Boy	Counsel
Richie	Boy	A very hard and strict ruler
Rainey	Girl	Power of counsel
Rena	Girl	Born again
Radley	Boy	Red field; Redwood clearing; Redwood meadow
Raylon	Boy	Counselor; Mighty; Advisor
Ria	Girl	To flow; Ground; Love; Beloved; Crimson pear; Joyful; Sweet; Free
Ravyn	Girl	Black bird; Raven
Rye	Boy	An island meadow
Rilyn	Unisex	Energetic and independent

Rustin	Unisex	Red-head; Red-haired
Raelee	Unisex	Graceful; Radiant
Rebel	Boy	Rebellious; Defiant person; Insurgent; Waging war again
Rashawn	Boy	God is gracious
Rexton	Boy	One who comes from the King's town
Raylin	Unisex	Beam of light; Lake
Rayven	Girl	Black bird; Raven
Riverlyn	Girl	One who is like a river
Robinson	Boy	A son of the famous and bright man
Rook	Boy	He who is like a raven

Rosanna	Girl	Rose; Fame; Dew; Favor; Grace
Rick	Boy	One who is a strict ruler
Rhiley	Unisex	Rye clearing; Rye field
Rakeem	Boy	Kind; Compassionate
Rusty	Boy	He who has a red head
Reeve	Boy	Sheriff; Prefect; Local official
Rhoda	Girl	Rose
Rylin	Boy	A field of rye
Riggin	Boy	Little king; Impulsive
Rogue	Boy	An unpredictable man

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Infographic: Prominent English Baby Names with Meaning, Starting With R

When deciding what to name your child, consider a baby name that represents your and your partner’s values and the traits you both admire. Such a name would take your child far and remind them of your love and blessings. To help nudge you in the right direction, we have compiled a few English Baby Names with Meaning, Starting With R in our infographic below. Browse through it to find the perfect one.

English Baby Names with Meaning, Starting With R(infographic)

Look Up For Many More Names

Do you have a name in mind and want to know more about it? Or want to find names belonging to a particular origin, religion, or having a specific meaning? Use our search tool below to explore more baby names with different combinations.