1310+ Boy Names That End in R

  1. Zamir
    • Origin:

      Hebrew, Arabic, Albanian
    • Meaning:

      "nightingale, song; heart, conscience, mind; good voice"
    • Description:

      An interesting bird name choice if you're seeking a nonbiblical Hebrew name. The zippy Z sound is appealing to more parents, and Zamir entered the Top 1000 for the first time in 2022 and was one of the fastest rising names in 2023.
  2. Tor
    • Origin:

      Variation of Thor, also Hebrew for "Turtledove"
    • Meaning:

      "Turtledove"
    • Description:

      An interesting and attractive bicultural choice--the Hebrew version is used for babies born in spring, when turtledoves arrive--especially as a middle.
  3. Keller
    • Origin:

      German occupational name
    • Meaning:

      "cellar master"
    • Description:

      Keller is a German surname that originated as an occupational name for a cellar or store master, which seems to be the background of several of the most stylish new German names for boys. One of the stylish new two-syllable -er ending names for boys, Keller is rising up the ranks heading for the Top 1000. It may be an honorific for Helen Keller.
  4. Harker
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "deer marshland"
    • Description:

      Harker sounds like an occupational name, but this surname actually derives from several English places, meaning either "male deer", "hare" or "gray" + "marshland". It can also be a nickname for an eavesdropper or busybody... or, to put a positive spin on it, someone who is a good listener or has keen hearing. Whichever origin you prefer, it's a cool-sounding and underused name with similar sounds to Harper, but without the mostly-feminine usage.

  5. Hjalmar
    • Origin:

      Scandinavian
    • Meaning:

      "helmet protector"
    • Description:

      Old Norse name that lives on more appealingly in modern times as Jalmari, short form Jari.
  6. Kiefer
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "barrel maker; pine"
    • Description:

      Kiefer is a strong occupational surname associated with "24" star Kiefer Sutherland, but one that could well join the other 'er' surnames currently in favor. Keifer is a German surname transferred to first name use, derived from two old Germanic words, kien and forhe, both of which mean "pine tree."
  7. Trebor
    • Fielder
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "dweller in open country"
      • Description:

        An uncommon surname name with that energetic -er ending. Might appeal especially to baseball fans.
    • Usher
      • Origin:

        Yiddish variation of Asher or English surname from French
      • Meaning:

        "blessed; doorkeeper"
      • Description:

        Strongly associated with the mega-popular single-named singer, who was actually the fourth Usher Raymond in his family. He could start a fad.
    • Theodor
      • Brenner
        • Origin:

          German
        • Meaning:

          "to burn"
        • Description:

          Brenner is an occupational surname for both a charcoal burner and a distiller of spirits. One of the least used of occupational surnames, it has that 'er' ending that definitely adds to its stylishness; a possible successor to Brendan.
      • Ruger
        • Origin:

          German surname
        • Meaning:

          "renowned spear"
        • Description:

          More popular among German Shepherds than baby boys.
      • Fyodor
        • Origin:

          Russian variation of Theodore
        • Meaning:

          "God's gift"
        • Description:

          This variation of Theodore is familiar here mostly via the great Russian novelist Dostoyevsky. It was also the name of three early tsars of Russia.
      • Bryer
        • Origin:

          Variation of Briar
        • Description:

          This spelling of the rising unisex name Briar may strike some parents as more definitively masculine than its source.
      • Collier
        • Origin:

          English occupational name
        • Meaning:

          "coal miner"
        • Description:

          This occupational surname could find new life with those wishing to honor someone in their heritage who was connected to the tough-as-nails breed that was the pre-modern coal miner. Coll and Collie are some sweet nickname options to tone down the formality of this name.
      • Nandor
        • Origin:

          Hungarian, Scandinavian
        • Meaning:

          "bold voyager"
        • Description:

          Interesting and energetic international form of Ferdinand.
      • Kabir
        • Origin:

          Arabic
        • Meaning:

          "the great"
        • Description:

          Kabir is the 37th name of God in Islam. Kabir is also the name of an Indian poet and mystic saint. In the US, Kabir is on the rise as a boys' name, favored by Muslim parents.
      • Quadir
        • Kuiper
          • Origin:

            Dutch
          • Meaning:

            "cooper"
          • Description:

            While this may be the Dutch version of Cooper, English-speaking parents are likely to choose this with reference to the Kuiper Belt, a band of small space rocks near Neptune thought to be where many comets come from. With Kai or Ky as potential cool nicknames, this is one underused name with a lot to offer.
        • Junior
          • Origin:

            Latin
          • Meaning:

            "young"
          • Description:

            The line should end with Junior Soprano. While most would expect this to be a nickname rather than an actual given name, Junior has always ranked in the US Top 1000, hitting its peak in 1925 at Number 116.