Rachel
Origin: Hebrew Meaning: Ewe Alternative Spellings & Variations: Rachael Famous Namesakes: A number of actresses share this name, like Rachel McAdams, Rachel Weisz, and Rachel Dratch. Peak Popularity: Rachel was a popular name in the 1980s and 1990s, cracking the top 10 in 1996.
Ramona
Origin: Spanish Meaning: Counsel protection Famous Namesakes: One of our favorite childhood characters in fiction is Ramona Quimby. Peak Popularity: Ramona’s biggest year was 1928.
Ranger
Origin: English Meaning: Forest protector Peak Popularity: Ranger hasn’t yet cracked the top baby names in the United States, but could at any point.
Raphael
Origin: HebrewMeaning: God has healedAlternative Spellings & Variations: Raffy, RafaelFamous Namesakes: Tennis player Rafael Nadal and musician Raphael SaadiqPeak Popularity: Raphael’s biggest year was 1990 when it was No. 465, however, the more popular spelling Rafael peaked in 1985 at No. 195.
Raymond
Origin: EnglishMeaning: Counsel protectionAlternative Spellings & Variations: RayFamous Namesakes: Actor Ray Romano and singer Ray CharlesPeak Popularity: Raymond was popular in the early 1900s.
Reagan
Origin: Irish Meaning: Little king Alternative Spellings & Variations: Regan Famous Namesakes: You’ll often see Reagan as a last name, like former President Ronald Reagan. Peak Popularity: Reagan peaked in 2016 at No. 97.
Rebecca
Origin: HebrewMeaning: To bindAlternative Spellings & Variations: Becca, BeckyFamous Namesakes: Actress Rebecca Romijn and singer Rebecca BlackPeak Popularity: Rebecca was a popular name for baby girls in the 1970s and 1980s.
Reese
Origin: Welsh Meaning: Passion Alternative Spellings & Variations: Rhys Famous Namesakes: Reese Witherspoon is perhaps the most famous person with this name. Peak Popularity: Reese peaked in 2012.
Regina
Origin: Latin Meaning: Queen Alternative Spellings & Variations: Gina Famous Namesakes: Actresses Regina Hall, Regina King, and Regina Taylor Peak Popularity: Regina was a popular name in the 1960s.
Ren
Origin: Japanese Meaning: Lotus Alternative Spellings & Variations: Wren Peak Popularity: Ren hasn’t yet cracked the list of popular baby names.
Rena
Origin: HebrewMeaning: JoyPeak Popularity: Rena is an old-fashioned name that peaked in 1902.
Renee
Origin: French Meaning: Reborn Alternative Spellings & Variations: Renae, Rene Famous Namesakes: Actresses Rene Russo and Renee Zellweger Peak Popularity: Renee was a popular name in the 1960s.
Ricardo
Origin: SpanishMeaning: Brave rulerAlternative Spellings & Variations: Ricky, Ric, Riccardo, RichardFamous Namesakes: Actor Ricardo Montalban and fashion designer Riccardo TisciPeak Popularity: Ricardo peaked in 1992.
Rihanna
Origin: IrishMeaning: Great queenAlternative Spellings & Variations: Riana, Rianna, RiyanaFamous Namesakes: “Umbrella” singer Rihanna is easily the most famous person with this name.Peak Popularity: Rihanna’s biggest year was in 2008.
Riley
Origin: IrishMeaning: Descendant of RoghallachAlternative Spellings & Variations: Rylee, Rylie, RileeFamous Namesakes: Riley is commonly seen as a last name, like with actress Amber Riley.Peak Popularity: Riley has been in the top 100 names for baby girls since 2002. It cracked the top 100 for baby boys in 2002 but then fell back off.
Ripley
Origin: EnglishMeaning: From the strip fieldFamous Namesakes: One of the most popular uses of this name is the main character in “Alien,” portrayed by Sigourney Weaver.Peak Popularity: Ripley hasn’t made the top baby names list with the Social Security Administration.
River
Origin: EnglishMeaning: Stream of water that flows to the seaFamous Namesakes: Late actor River Phoenix is possibly the most famous person with this name.Peak Popularity: River continues to grow in popularity, peaking in 2020.
Robert
Origin: English Meaning: Bright fame Alternative Spellings & Variations: Rob, Robby, Bob, Bobby, Roberto Famous Namesakes: Robert and all its iterations are popular names among celebrities, including singers Bob Dylan and Bob Marley, actors Robert Downey Jr. and Robert DeNiro, and politician Robert F. Kennedy. Peak Popularity: Robert was the most popular name for baby boys born from 1924 through 1939.
Robin
Origin: EnglishMeaning: Bright fameAlternative Spellings & Variations: Robinne, Robyn, RobynneFamous Namesakes: Singers Robin Thicke and Robin Gibb and actor Robin WilliamsPeak Popularity: Robin for baby boys peaked in 1956 at No. 143 and in 1963 at No. 25 for baby girls.
Rodrigo
Origin: SpanishMeaning: Famous rulerFamous Namesakes: Actor Rodrigo Santoro and soccer player Rodrigo PalacioPeak Popularity: Rodrigo peaked in 2007.
Roman
Origin: EnglishMeaning: From Rome, ItalyFamous Namesakes: Filmmaker Roman Coppola and photographer Roman VishniacPeak Popularity: Roman reached No. 73 in 2019.
Romeo
Origin: Italian Meaning: From Rome, Italy Famous Namesakes: There is certainly no more famous Romeo than William Shakespeare’s character from “Romeo and Juliet.” Peak Popularity: Romeo has been a popular name in the last few decades, peaking in 2012.
Rosalind
Origin: EnglishMeaning: TenderAlternative Spellings & Variations: Rosaline, RosaPeak Popularity: Rosalind was a popular name in the 1940s.
Rose
Origin: English Meaning: Rose Alternative Spellings & Variations: Rosie, Rosalie, Rosaline Famous Namesakes: Actresses Rose McGowan, Rose Leslie, and Rose Byrne Peak Popularity: Rose was quite the popular name in the early 1900s, spending several years in the top 20.
Rowan
Origin: EnglishMeaning: From the Rowan treeAlternative Spellings & Variations: RohanFamous Namesakes: Actor and comedian Rowan Atkinson is one of the most well-known people with this name.Peak Popularity: Rowan continues to grow in popularity, peaking in 2020.
Roxanne
Origin: EnglishMeaning: DawnAlternative Spellings & Variations: RoxyPeak Popularity: Roxanne was a popular name in the 1950s.
Royce
Origin: EnglishMeaning: Of famous kingPeak Popularity: Royce was a popular name for baby boys in the 1930s.
Ruby
Origin: EnglishMeaning: Red gemstoneFamous Namesakes: Activist Ruby Bridges and actress Ruby BarkerPeak Popularity: Ruby was popular in the early 1900s and is growing in popularity again.
Rudy
Origin: AmericanMeaning: Famous wolfAlternative Spellings & Variations: Rudolph, Rudolf, RudiFamous Namesakes: Actors Rudy Pankow and Rudi ValentinoPeak Popularity: Rudy’s most popular year was 1947.
Rupert
Origin: German Meaning: Bright fame Alternative Spellings & Variations: Rupe Famous Namesakes: Actors Rupert Grint and Rupert Everett Peak Popularity: Rupert was a popular name in the early 1900s.
Russell
Origin: EnglishMeaning: RedAlternative Spellings & Variations: RussFamous Namesakes: Actors Russell Brand and Russell CrowePeak Popularity: Russell was very popular from the early 1900s up until the 1960s.
Ruth
Origin: HebrewMeaning: FriendshipAlternative Spellings & Variations: RuthieFamous Namesakes: Late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is one of the most famous people with this name.Peak Popularity: Ruth was a popular name in the early 1900s until the 1920s.
Ryan
Origin: Irish Meaning: Descendant of the king Alternative Spellings & Variations: Rian, Ryanne Famous Namesakes: Ryan is a common name among celebrities shared by the likes of Ryan Reynolds, Ryan Gosling, and Ryan Seacrest. Peak Popularity: Ryan was a popular name for baby boys born in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. It’s also on the popular list for girls, though not quite ranking as high as boys.
Ryder
Origin: EnglishMeaning: Mounted warriorAlternative Spellings & Variations: RiderPeak Popularity: Ryder peaked in 2014.
