Hebrew Names that Start With R
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- Ruth
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"compassionate friend"Description:
Ruth, with its air of calm and compassion, was the third most popular name in the 1890s, remaining in the Top 10 through the 1920s. It's still in use today as some parents tiring of Rachel and Rebecca are giving Ruth a second thought. Some see such Old Testament girls’ names as Ruth and Esther rising on the heels of boy equivalents Abel and Moses.
- Raphael
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"God has healed"Description:
Raphael is a romantic archangel name that sounds both artistic and powerful. Raphael is also a great cross-cultural choice, with significance for people with both Latinate and Jewish roots, plus plenty of grounding in the English-speaking world.
- Rebecca
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"to tie, bind"Description:
Rebecca is a name representing beauty in the Bible, an Old Testament classic that reached the heights of revived popularity in the seventies but is still a well-used choice. It derives from the Hebrew name Rivkah, from the verb ribbqah, meaning "noose." The biblical Rebecca was the wife of Isaac and the mother of Esau and Jacob. Rebekah was a common spelling of the name in the Bible.
- Rae
Origin:
English, diminutive of RachelMeaning:
"ewe"Description:
All the old ae/ay middle names for girls are back--Kay, Fay, Mae/May, --and Rae is one of the coolest, used as such by celebrities as Mark Wahlberg and Daniel Baldwin. Even more popular in the celebrisphere is the jazzy Ray spelling: among those who used it as their daughters' middles are Bruce Willis, Dermot Mulroney, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard, Uma Thurman and Lee Lee Sobieski.
- Rachel
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"ewe"Description:
Rachel was derived from the Hebrew word rāchēl, meaning "ewe." In the Old Testament, Rachel was the favorite wife of Jacob, and mother of Joseph and Benjamin. International variations include the Spanish Raquel and Israeli Rahel.
- Reuben
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"behold, a son"Description:
Reuben is derived from the Hebrew words ra’a, meaning "to see, to understand," and ben, "son." As a phrase it translates to "behold, a son." In the Bible, Reuben is Jacob's first-born son by Leah and the founder of one of the tribes of Israel.
- Raya
Origin:
Hebrew, Yiddish, Russian, Arabic, English, Japanese, MalayMeaning:
"friend; clear, pure; hero; fragrance; queen; night orchid; celebration"Description:
More unusual alternative to Maya, Raya has risen in popularity due to the introduction of the newest Disney Princess from the 2021 film Raya and the Last Dragon. One of those truly multi-cultural names, Raya has its origins in Hebrew, Russian, Japanese, Arabic, and English,
- Rayna
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"song of the Lord"Description:
This spelling of the name has ties to Hebrew, Slavic, and Scandinavian cultures, in addition to being another alternative to Reina and Reyna. It is most recently attached to hit television show Nashville's Rayna Jaymes, played by Connie Britton.
- Rei
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"my companion"Description:
A very unusual biblical name, Rei was one of David's most loyal supporters.
- Rena
Origin:
Hebrew, Greek, Estonian, Scandinavian, German, PunjabiMeaning:
"joyous melody; peace; reborn; to remain"Description:
Rena is a Hebrew name all on its own and is also a European short form of Irene, Irini, Renata, and Renate. In Punjabi, Rena means "to remain".
- Riah
Origin:
Short form of Zachariah, HebrewMeaning:
"The Lord has remembered"Description:
If you think there are too many Zachs around, you can use this historic nickname for Zachariah instead, though it does have a somewhat feminine feel.
- Rivka
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"to tie, bind"Description:
A traditional name still used in Orthodox families. Rivka is the original form of Rebekah or Rebecca, today used far more widely than the original. Rifka is a variation.
- Raia
Origin:
Spelling variation of RayaDescription:
The popularity of Maya clarifies the pronunciation of Raya, which makes that the better spelling of this name.
- Rafaela
Origin:
Spanish and Portuguese version of Hebrew RaphaelaMeaning:
"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.
- Raphaela
Origin:
Hebrew, feminine variation of RaphaelMeaning:
"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.
- Rachael
Origin:
Variation of Rachel, HebrewMeaning:
"ewe"Description:
This form of the Biblical Rachel is well-used despite its somewhat counter-intuitive spelling which can make English speakers think the name should be pronounced with a k sound, as in Raquel. The spelling may be inspired by Michael, but it's pronounced just like Rachel, with a soft ch. Lately it's on the decline, dropping more than 100 places in 2009 and leaving the US Top 1000 in 2013.
- Riva
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"maiden"Description:
A modernization of the Hebrew Rivka, which doesn't sound so modern anymore.
- Reba
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"fourth born"Description:
Tied to country singer/sitcom star Reba McEntire.
- Reuelle
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"friend of God"Description:
Spelling a bit elaborate and confusing.
- Ronja
Origin:
Swedish literary nameDescription:
Pippi Longstocking author Astrid Lindgren invented the name Ronja for her book Ronja, the Robber's Daughter. She was inspired by the lake Juronjaure, located in Norrbotten, Sweden.