R - Boys' Names

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.

Elegant and worldly.

Associated with Reynard the cunning fox in medieval European animal tales. Reynard can make an unusual yet historic choice for a modern boy, a modern day Richard or Robert.

Warm-hued spelling spin on Rowan that was chosen by Sharon Stone for one of her three young sons.

From India, but feels like an Irish surname (and can in fact be a variation of Rowan), so a possible cross-cultural choice.

Ronan is the compelling legendary name of twelve Irish and Scottish saints that is now drawing some deserved attention; this cousin of the ascending Roman and Rowan was chosen by actor Daniel Day-Lewis and his writer-director wife Rebecca Miller in 1998, and more recently by actress Catherine Bell.

British-sounding literary surname choice.

This attractive mini-name combines multiple trends: the R initial, vowel-ending boy names, and a fantastical meaning.