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140 Dog Names Starting With R for a Remarkable Pup

Written by: Nicole Cosgrove

Last Updated on July 25, 2024 by Dogster Team

two-chow chow dog standing

140 Dog Names Starting With R for a Remarkable Pup

If you have just adopted a new dog into your family and are looking for great name ideas, you have come to the right place! There are so many options, but we have compiled some epic names that start with R to inspire you.

Finding the perfect name for your companion can quickly become overwhelming, but we also have some tips to help you choose. We have broken down our ideas into lists with strong or cute names and names inspired by your favorite movie characters, music, and food! So, if an epic dog name starting with R is what you are looking for, keep reading!

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Tips to Help You Choose the Perfect Dog Name

If you are looking for a name that starts with R, that is a great start to narrowing down your choices, but there are still so many to choose from, so it may help to categorize the ideas into themes that can be inspired by your dog’s personality and appearance, as well your favorite things.

So, if you have adopted a small breed dog, you may want to choose a soft, sweet, and short name, whereas if your dog is a large breed, you may want something strong and bold. You may even have a small dog with a large dog personality or a large dog with a shy personality, so they can be interchanged accordingly.

You can also choose a name inspired by your favorite movie character or musician, or if you love food just as much as your pup, you can choose a name inspired by cuisine. Many of the names can also fit into your dog’s look and character. For example, if you are looking for a movie character-inspired name and your dog is small and confident, the name Rocket from the raccoon in Guardians of the Galaxy may be an excellent fit! Now that you have a fun and effective formula for choosing a name, here are some other tips for you to consider:

  • Consider how the name may be shortened. For example, the name Reuben can be shortened to Ruby, which some may consider more of a girl’s name, or Ruffles can be shortened to Ruff, which is also pretty cute!
  • Try to avoid choosing a name that sounds similar to a family member or other pet in the house since it may become confusing.
  • Take your time, and don’t rush! Have fun with it, and don’t worry what other people may think.
owner playing with toy poodle dog on green grass
Image Credit: bodnar.photo, Shutterstock

Female Dog Names Starting With R

Ladies first, right? So, let us start with great female dog names that start with R. Here are our favorite choices; we are sure you will love them, too!

  • Rachel
  • Raiden
  • Raina
  • Raven
  • Ray
  • Rayla
  • Rayleen
  • Reagan
  • Reba
  • Regina
  • Remi
  • Reva
  • Rheeta
  • Rhonda
  • Rita
  • River
  • Romy
  • Rona
  • Rosalie
  • Rosel
  • Rosella
  • Roxie
  • Ruby
  • Ruth
  • Ryah
Shih Tzu dog with a beautiful red bow on its head lies under a blue canopy and looks into the distance
Image Credit: codorniz, Shutterstock

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Male Dog Names Starting With R

It would only make sense to follow with male dog names, so here are our favorites that start with R:

  • Ramsey
  • Randy
  • Rasta
  • Ravi
  • Rayden
  • Reef
  • Reggie
  • Ren
  • Renzo
  • Rhett
  • Ricky
  • Riggs
  • Roan
  • Roger
  • Rohan
  • Ronald
  • Rory
  • Roscoe
  • Ross
  • Rowen
  • Rudy
  • Rueben
  • Rufus
  • Ryatt
  • Ryman
German Shepherd Standing
Image Credit: PxHere

Strong Dog Names Starting With R

If a strong and bold name is what you are looking for, whether your dog is a large breed or has a large personality, we have some incredible name ideas that start with R:

  • Racer
  • Rafe
  • Rainer
  • Rampage
  • Ranger
  • Raven
  • Raya
  • Rebel
  • Red
  • Regan
  • Reginald
  • Rhonda
  • Riot
  • Ripper
  • Rock
  • Rocko
  • Rogan
  • Rogue
  • Roman
  • Rover
cane corso sitting on grass
Image Credit: Hoika Mikhail, Shutterstock

Cute Dog Names Starting With R

Is your dog petite and needs a name match? Or is your large dog a big softy that needs a fitting name? We have the cutest names with R stacked up for you!

  • Rabbit
  • Rae
  • Rain
  • Rainbow
  • Reed
  • Ribbon
  • Riley
  • Rio
  • Rita
  • River
  • Rizzo
  • Roly
  • Ron
  • Roo
  • Rose
  • Rosie
  • Rue
  • Ruffles
  • Rupert
  • Rusty
pomeranian dog outdoor
Image Credit: KristinaSh, Shutterstock

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Dog Names Inspired by Movie Characters Starting With R

This is where things get fun! If you are a movie lover, a character’s name may be the perfect fit for your dog. Here are some great movie character-inspired names that start with R:

  • R2-D2
  • Rafiki
  • Rage
  • Raider
  • Rajah (Aladdin)
  • Ralph (Wreck-It Ralph)
  • Rambo
  • Randall (Monsters Inc)
  • Rango
  • Raphael (TMNT)
  • Rapunzel
  • Razoul (Aladdin)
  • Remis (Remus Lupin, Harry Potter)
  • Remy (Ratatouille)
  • Rex
  • Rex (Toy Story)
  • Rocket (Rocket Raccoon)
  • Roger (Roger Rabbit)
  • Romeo
  • Rubeus (Rubeus Hagrid, Harry Potter)
golden retriever portrait on bench in the snow.
Image Credit: Debra Anderson, Shutterstock

Dog Names Inspired by Musicians Starting With R

Music plays a huge role in our lives, and if you have a special love or connection to a musician or band, they could be the perfect inspiration for your dog’s name. Here are musicians that start with R:

  • Ramones ( The Ramones)
  • Ray (Ray Charles)
  • Ricky (Ricky Martin)
  • Rihanna
  • Ringo (Ringo Star)
  • Rita (Rita Ora)
  • Ritchie (Lionel Ritchie)
  • Rob Zombie
  • Robbie (Robbie Williams)
  • Roxette

Dog Names Inspired by Food Starting With R

Like most canines, your dog is probably fond of food. Below, we have several names inspired by the culinary world.

  • Rolo
  • Rascal
  • Rhubarb
  • Ramen
  • Raisin
  • Ranch
  • Rice
  • Ricotta
  • Rigatoni
  • Rum
  • Rye
  • Russet
  • Roma
  • Risotto
  • Razzle
  • Reese
  • Rolls
  • Rusk
  • Roquefort
  • Ratatouille
Senior dog eating dog food
Image Credit: Ayla Verschueren, Unsplash

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Final Thoughts

You can’t go wrong with the letter R since there are so many great names. Whether you choose a name inspired by your favorite food or movie character or choose something classic or unique, the letter R won’t let you down. Remember to have fun with the process and don’t rush it. The perfect name will come to you, but it takes time. We hope our list of ideas helped inspire you to find your new dog’s perfect name!

See Also: 


Featured Image Credit: Natalia, Fesiun, Shutterstock

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