The letter R is one of the most versatile letters when it comes to baby names. Its rugged sound can be great for masculine names, yet it’s riveting enough to begin some truly rapturous feminine names as well. We’ve gathered many of the latter, complete with meanings and origins for parents who are seriously considering some girl names starting with R.
There’s the rare and riveting Rowena, which comes from the Old German meaning ‘fame and happiness.’ It’s also the name of Sir Walter Scott’s heroine in his novel Ivanhoe, so avid readers with a little one on the way may take a shine to this name in particular.
If Rowena isn’t quite what you’re looking for, though, then consider something more familiar, like Rachel. This name has been around since Biblical times, so naturally it’s a popular name choice in the West. Rachel comes from the Hebrew meaning ‘ewe,’ and was actually the name of Jacob’s favorite wife in the Old Testament.
We also love Remy, a cute and trendy pick for modern times. Originally a Latin name meaning ‘oarsman,’ Remy has since been revived as a French boy’s name and unisex English and American name. While it’s true that more boys than girls have this name, that in itself could make it a cool, unconventional choice for baby girls.
Don’t race off just yet – we have a whole list of other girl names starting with R on our long list below.
Rabab
Meaning: Pale cloud
Origin: Arabic
Rabiah
Meaning: Gentle wind
Origin: Arabic
Rachana
Meaning: Creation
Origin: Hindi
Rachel
Meaning: Ewe, female sheep
Origin: Hebrew
Radha
Meaning: Success
Origin: Hindi/Sanskrit
Radmilla
Meaning: Industrious for the people
Origin: Slavic
Rae
Meaning: Ewe
Origin: Hebrew
Rafa
Meaning: Well-being, prosperity
Origin: Arabic
Ragnild
Meaning: All-knowing power
Origin: Teutonic
Raina
Meaning: Queen
Origin: Latin
Raisa
Meaning: Rose
Origin: Hebrew/Yiddish
Raja
Meaning: Hope
Origin: Arabic
Rajani
Meaning: Night
Origin: Hindi/Sanskrit
Raleigh
Meaning: Roe deer’s meadow
Origin: Old English
Rama
Meaning: On high, exalted
Origin: Hebrew
Ramona
Meaning: Protecting hands
Origin: Spanish/Old German
Ramsay
Meaning: Raven island; ram island
Origin: Old English
Rana
Meaning: Beautiful, eye-catching
Origin: Arabic
Ronny
Meaning: Victory bringer
Origin: Greek/Latin
Randa
Meaning: Beautiful
Origin: Arabic
Randy
Meaning: Worthy of admiration
Origin: Latin
Rani
Meaning: She is singing; queen
Origin: Hebrew/Sanskrit
Ranita
Meaning: Song
Origin: Hebrew
Raphaela
Meaning: God heals
Origin: Hebrew
Raquel
Meaning: Ewe
Origin: Spanish/Portuguese/Hebrew
Rashida
Meaning: Rightly guided
Origin: Arabic
Rawnie
Meaning: Lady
Origin: Romany
Ray
Meaning: Ewe
Origin: Hebrew
Rayna
Meaning: Counsel, song
Origin: Scandinavian/Israeli
Razia
Meaning: Contented
Origin: Arabic
Raziah
Meaning: The Lord’s secret
Origin: Aramaic
Reanna
Meaning: Great queen, or goddess
Origin: Welsh
Rebecca
Meaning: To bind
Origin: Hebrew
Refugia
Meaning: Shelter
Origin: Spanish/Latin
Regina
Meaning: Queen
Origin: Latin
Reiko
Meaning: Beautiful, lovely child
Origin: Japanese
Rella
Meaning: Other, foreign
Origin: Old German
Remedios
Meaning: Remedy, help
Origin: Spanish
Remy
Meaning: From Rheims
Origin: French
Rena
Meaning: Melody
Origin: Hebrew
Rina
Meaning: Peace
Origin: Greek
Renata
Meaning: Reborn
Origin: Latin
Renske
Meaning: Reborn
Origin: Danish
Reseda
Meaning: Mignonette flower
Origin: Latin
Rezka
Meaning: Late summer
Origin: Greek
Reta
Meaning: Pearl
Origin: Greek
Rey
Meaning: Kings
Origin: Spanish
Rhetta
Meaning: Speaker
Origin: Latin
Rhoda
Meaning: Rose, from Rhodes
Origin: Greek/Latin
Rhona
Meaning: Ruler’s counselor
Origin: Old Norse
