Scandinavian Names that Start With R

  1. Roscoe
    • Origin:

      Norse
    • Meaning:

      "deer forest"
    • Description:

      Fairly popular a hundred years ago but out of sight now, the quirky Roscoe deserves a place on every adventurous baby-namer's long list. It joins Rufus, Roman, Remy, Romulus, and Ray as one of the R names that sound fresh again after too many years of Robert, Richard, and Ronald.
  2. Ragnar
    • Origin:

      Norse
    • Meaning:

      "warrior or judgment"
    • Description:

      An fearsome old Norse name with a long history in Scandinavia. It's gotten a boost in the States from popularity of the History Channel drama "Vikings," in which the protagonist is named Ragnar. Ragnar Lodbrok (meaning "shaggy pants") was a legendary warrior whose story was told in the Viking sagas. Ragnar also recalls name of the Norse Judgment Day, Ragnarök.
  3. Ronald
    • Origin:

      Norse
    • Meaning:

      "ruler's counselor"
    • Description:

      To many people, Ronald is off playing shuffleboard with Donald, though others aren't swayed by its old man image. In the Top 10 in the late 1930s through the mid-1940s, the name later came to be strongly associated with President Reagan, along with his nicknames, Ron and Ronnie—as well as with the McDonald franchise mascot. A more youthful bearer is the likable character Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter series. In the early days of Hollywood, Ronald Colman was a dashing matinee idol.
  4. Raynor
    • Origin:

      Norse
    • Meaning:

      "mighty army"
    • Description:

      Original and straightforward, but with little appeal.
  5. Rana
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "queenly"
    • Description:

      A favorite in Near Eastern cultures, with a charming meaning.
  6. Rania
    • Origin:

      Arabic, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "to gaze, to look; heavenly"
    • Description:

      As an Arabic name, Rania is a variation of Raniya, ultimately derived from the Arabic word ranā meaning "to gaze" or "side look". Other descendants of this root include Ranya and Rana itself. Familiar in the UK, Spain, the Netherlands and France, Rania is currently borne by Rania Al Abdullah, Queen of Jordan.
  7. Ronja
    • Origin:

      Swedish literary name
    • Description:

      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.
  8. Ragnvald
    • Roar
      • Origin:

        Norwegian cognate of Roger
      • Meaning:

        "famous warrior; famous spear"
      • Description:

        While this may look like an animal related word name to those unfamiliar with it, Roar is a Norwegian name derived from the Old Norse element hróðr meaning "fame". combined with either herr meaning "warrior" or "geirr meaning "spear". It can also be spelled as Hroar.
    • Rakel
      • Origin:

        Scandinavian variation of Rachel
      • Description:

        Apt to be confused with Raquel.
    • Rica
      • Origin:

        Scandinavian, diminutive of Federica or Erica
      • Description:

        Pretty but slight.
    • Rut
      • Origin:

        Czech, variation of Ruth
      • Meaning:

        "companion, friend"
      • Description:

        Pronounced ROOT in its native land, but in a rut here.
    • Rickarda