Hebrew Names that Start With R

Hebrew name related to Ronit and Roni, also used in different cultures as Ronya, Ronja, and Roniya. Virtually unknown in the English-speaking world though certainly an easily-translatable choice.

Whether spelled Raffaela, Rafaela, Raffaella, or Raphaela, a euphonius name with a dark-eyed, long-flowing-haired image. Like Gabriella and Isabella, is beginning to be drawn into the American mainstream.

Well used in Israel, likely to be confused with Ramona here.

Raffaella is the Italian form of the lovely name Raphaela, the female version of the angel's name Raphael, gorgeous in any spelling or international variation. Raffaella is one of the most appealing Italian baby names for girls.

Roni may sound like the Doowop-era Ronnie or Ronni, often named for her dad Ron, but it's actually a freestanding Hebrew name with an uplifting meaning.

Too bad everyone in this country will tend to hear Ronnie.

More familiar to English speakers as Reuben, Jacob and Leah's first son and a founder of one of the Tribes of Israel.

Looks modern, but sounds like the dated Ronnie.

Rebekka is a more creative spelling -- at least in some people's opinion -- of the biblical favorite Rebecca. Rebekka is also the usual German version. The Rebekkah spelling was commonly used in Early America.

Delicate embellishment of Rani.

This strong name and its variations are well used in Israel.

A possible alternative to the better-known Shoshona.

Lovely Hebrew name with distinctive double a's, but beware of possible "banana" teasing.

This name -- the basic form is Rachamim -- is especially popular among Sephardic Jews.

Rosh is not Ross, not Rush, but an improvement on both of those more familiar names. The Biblical Rosh was a son of Benjamin, so you might consider it to honor a father or otherwise ancestral Benjamin. Very much associated with the Jewish New Year holiday, Rosh Hashanah.