Aries inspired names

Made famous by the half-giant character of Rubeus Hagrid in the Harry Potter series, this handsome Latinate name feels like a plausible possibility for a real child too, given its similarity to Ruben and Rue.

Vibrant, sassy, and bubbly, Ruby is a vintage gem that hasn’t lost any of its sparkle. Currently popular in a number of English-speaking countries, Ruby is proof of the 100 Year Rule, trending again for the first time since its heyday in the 1910s.

Often thought of as a one-peson name because of Jungle Book writer Kipling, this was actually his middle name. He was middle-named for Rudyard Lake in Staffordshire, the beauty of which inspired his parents to reference it in their first child's name. Trivia tidbit: Actress Kim Raver gave her son Leo the middle name of Kipling.

A feminine form of Rufus, which has potential in the current trend for ancient Roman names.

Rufus is a rumpled, redheaded (it was the nickname for red-haired King William) ancient Roman name popular with saints and singers (e.g. Rufus Wainwright); now, Rufus is on the cutting edge of cool.

A rare alternative to Roman or Ruben, with a sweet meaning for a rosy-cheeked baby boy.

Ancient martyr name that sounds totally modern, but perhaps too close to rumor.

Might suggest speed, excitement, even danger, were it not for its best-known bearer, conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh.

Singer Ruslana Stepanivna Lyzhychko, who goes by her first name, won the Eurovision contest in 2004 and remains a popular artist in Ukraine.

Short but substantial, Russ does not need the full-form Russell to go on the birth certificate. Russ strikes a nice balance between familiar, friendly, and underused.

One of many R- boys’ names that started as a nickname for a redhead, Russell had a measure of popularity from the early twentieth century through the 1950s. But it's now lost much of its color -- except for a few dynamic bearers, actors Russell Crowe and Russell Brand and sports stars Russell Westbrook and Russell Wilson.

Both warmer and cooler than Russell.

Russell has gone away, but the more feminine Russet may move in to take his place.

A traditional name in the Arabic world.

Sabik, a star in Ophiuchus, makes for a rather harsh-sounding name. If you're looking skyward for a baby name, you'd do better with Orion or Jupiter. But if you are searching for names that mean new beginnings, this is one unusual choice.

Sabira is an appealing Arabic name that refers to one of the essential Quranic qualities of patients. Sabri is another form of the name that can be used for both girls and boys and has a modern, adorable sound.

Sagi is a popular Israeli boy’s name, also found as a surname.

Feminine form of Sagi.

The Finnish equivalent to Zachary.