Old Boy Names That Start With R
Having a baby boy? Naming your baby is one of the most important things to do before your little bundle of joy enters the world.
If you're looking for an old-fashioned boy's name that starts with the letter R, then move a little closer to the screen. Whether your taste in names runs toward short or long, classic or distinctive, there's a perfect old-fashioned R name for every parenting pair. Here are 23 options for you to consider.
- Robert. Worn by everyone from kings and presidents to saints and Nobel Prize winners, this multi-dimensional name goes back eons as a given name.
- Raymond. Dripping with retro charm, this throwback with the ready-made nickname Ray is yours for the taking.
- Raphael. A dashing and dapper R-name that commands attention.
- Ronald. This boys' name might have its roots in the Old Norse words regin ("counsel") and valdr ("ruler"), but Ronald's reign is over—at least for now.
- Roland. To some ears, Roland is a senior citizen playing card games in a nursing home. To others, it's a long-lost baby name ready to be brought back into use.
- Richard. This saint name had a long run of popularity in the 20th century. Today, it's still used but isn't chart-toppingly popular.
- Rick. Or, just cut to the chase and pen the short form Rick directly on the birth certificate!
- Ricky. Another short form for Richard, Ricky was also hugely popular as a given name back in the 1950s and 60s.
- Roger. Famous Rogers include tennis star Roger Federer and actor Roger Moore.
- Rex. Coming in at just one syllable and three letters, this old-school R-name gets right to the point.
- Robin. A unisex baby name with an avian twist and mid-century vibes.
- Randy. The go-to nickname for the 50s' favorites Randall and Randolph, Randy works independently, too.
- Ralph. Ralph may be past-peak, but it still has a lot going for it: religious overtones via 16-th century Roman Catholic saint Ralph Sherwin, fashion cred via Ralph Lauren, as well as a strong literary pedigree, having appeared as a character in works by Charles Dickens, William Golding and Henry James.
- Randall. A grandpa name through-and-through, Randall would be tough to pull off as a baby name in today's naming climate.
- Roscoe. A relatively popular name in the 19th century, Roscoe might appeal to hipster moms and dads looking for something quirky. The gun association may give some parents pause, however.
- Ronny. A laid-back boys' name stuck in a mid-century time capsule.
- Rudolph. This old German name has been out to pasture for decades, and we don't see it catching on anytime soon.
- Rupert. The name of a couple of Catholic saints. However, the perhaps most famous Rupert is quite a polarizing figure—the media tycoon Rupert Murdoch.
- Rollin. A surname-inspired baby name that harkens to the 1800s and early 1900s.
- Rufus. Rufus stood out as a well-established but not overplayed biblical name until the mid-twentieth century, but it has gradually lost its panache since then. Are we ready to bring it down from the attic?
- Randolph. With its heavy and clumsy feel, we expect Randolph to remain a relic of the past.
- Rodger. Variation of Roger.
- Rod. This mini moniker has been hiding in the attic for a while now, and you're unlikely to spot it on a birth announcement anytime soon.
