Girl Dog Names That Start With R

  1. Rafaela
    • Origin:

      Spanish and Portuguese version of Hebrew Raphaela
    • Meaning:

      "God has healed"
    • Description:

      This euphonious and lovely name is an internationally appealing choice, that, like Gabriela and Isabela before it, is beginning to be drawn into the American mainstream. Also spelled Raffaella (Italian), Raffaela (German), or Raphaela (Hebrew), it was given to around 50 girls in the US in 2023.
  2. Rylee
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Riley
    • Description:

      This substitute spelling of Riley has been popular with parents for a decade. Rylee entered the charts in 1994, and is solidly within the Top 200 for the last 2 decades. Ryleigh is another spelling that has gained significant popularity. The "-Lee" ending is particularly trendy, and many parents are picking spellings such as Rylee (or Aubree, Everlee, and Marlee) over the originals.
  3. Rian
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "little king"
    • Description:

      As Ryan quickly becomes a plausible option for a girl, some parents may be interested in the spelling Rian — the more authentic and original form of the name.
  4. Raphaela
    • Origin:

      Hebrew, feminine variation of Raphael
    • Meaning:

      "God has healed"
    • Description:

      A euphonious and lovely name with a dark-eyed, long-flowing-haired image, Raphaela is, like Gabriella and Isabella, beginning to be drawn into the American mainstream.
  5. Rai
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "next child"
    • Description:

      Distinctive and intriguing relative of Rae.
  6. Rune
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "secret"
    • Description:

      Runes are symbols in ancient Germanic alphabets. They are often viewed as mysterious and therefore as a name, Rune imparts a feeling of folkloric mystery. As intriguing as that might be, the homonym ruin creates a lot of teasing potential.
  7. Ryann
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Ryan
    • Description:

      An attempt to make this name swing more to the feminine side, though the original Ryan is becoming perfectly acceptable for girls.
  8. Roxana
    • Origin:

      Persian
    • Meaning:

      "dawn; or, little star"
    • Description:

      The name of the wife of Alexander the Great, more attractive than the better-known Roxanne. Roxana was first used in the English-speaking world in the 1600s and was popularized by Daniel Defoe's novel Roxana, published in 1724. An underused and attractive possibility and perfect if you're searching for names that mean new beginnings.
  9. Ryleigh
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Riley
    • Description:

      Another increasingly well-used, more feminine, form of Riley, this one is particularly popular in the South. Ryleigh, along with Rylee, have been rising in popularity in recent years. Ryleigh paved the way for Everleigh, Kayleigh, Charleigh, and several other "-leigh" ending names that are trending now. Ryleigh entered the charts in 1999, and has been in the Top 200 since 2010.
  10. Rainy
    • Origin:

      Word name or diminutive of Regina, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "queen"
    • Description:

      The Rainy spelling puts this name firmly in word name territory, an appealing option following the rise of Stormi. Rainey is the most popular spelling of the name, given to about 50 girls last year, with half as many called Rainy and a quarter named Rainie, the spelling used by Andie MacDowell for her now-grown daughter.
  11. Rayne
    • Origin:

      Variation of Rain or Rayna
    • Description:

      Rayne is the unique name used for one of the girl sextuplets on the Sweet Home TV show.
  12. Rhian
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "maiden"
    • Description:

      Popular in Wales, but likely to be mispronounced as Ryan here.
  13. Raelyn
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Raelynn
    • Description:

      After entering the Top 1000 in 2009, Raelyn has climbed the charts. It's ridden the coattails of Raelynn (which remains more popular), but also may be benefiting from the rise of Brooklyn. The use of -Lyn and -Lynn suffixes has grown in recent years, even as the name Lynn itself languishes.
  14. Raleigh
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "meadow of deer"
    • Description:

      An attractive North Carolina unisex place name, Raleigh's soft sound is particularly appropriate for a girl.
  15. Rainbow
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "rainbow"
    • Description:

      Colorful, yes, but also probably among the hippiest of hippie names. Holly Madison recently chose it for her little girl.
  16. Romina
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "from the land of the Christians"
    • Description:

      This pretty name found in Spanish-speaking countries shares the diminutive of Romy—also spelled Romi—with Rosemary. It joined the US Top 1000 for the first time in 2015.
  17. Rhonda
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "noisy one"
    • Description:

      "Help Me, Rhonda. sang the Beach Boys -- help me convince my parents not to give me this sixties name.
  18. Rumer
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "fame, braggart"
    • Description:

      Demi and Bruce made waves when they named their now-grown firstborn after novelist Rumer Godden; a possible downside is its connection with the word rumor. English author Godden was actually born Margaret, with Rumer (a family surname) as her middle name
  19. Ramsey
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "low-lying land"
    • Description:

      The cruelly-macho character of Ramsey Bolton on Game of Thrones would seem to mitigate against this name being seen as the least bit girlish, but in 2021 there were 120 female Ramseys born to 134 male, placing it among the most popular of the truly unisex baby names.
  20. Ria
    • Origin:

      Spanish
    • Meaning:

      "small river"
    • Description:

      Short and feminine, Ria has a rhythmic flow.