So how do you find the perfect dog name? Rover has you covered. Dog names starting with the letter R are popular for a reason: the rhythmic consonant at the beginning of the name rolls off the tongue. Plus, many classic names for dogs start with R! Think puppy names like Rex, Rosie, Roscoe…or word names like River, Rogue, and Ranger.
For a great dog name starting with R, look no further. These names are handpicked from our Rover.com database of dog names. They’re ranked in order of popularity from the top ten all the way down to names that barely squeak into the top 1000. Their numbers here represent their relative popularity in this list, not their actual rank in the master database. Have fun and best of luck choosing the perfect name.
Top Male Dog Names Starting with R
- Kobe
- Kevin
- Kai
- Kylo
- Kenzo
- King
- Kenny
- Kane
- Kiko
- Klaus
- Kiki
- Koby
- Kiwi
- Kim
- Kofi
- Kong
- Karl
- Kinder
- Kit
- Kanye
- Keeper
- Kiara
- Kaz
- Knox
- Ketchup
- Kody
- Kitt
Top Female Dog Names Starting with R
- Kiki
- Kira
- Katie
- Kiwi
- Kiara
- Kitty
- Kimba
- Kim
- Kiko
- Kairi
- Kevin
- Kai
- Khloe
- Kit
- Krystal
- Kaz
- Kenzo
- Kendall
- Knox
- Kobe
- Kylie
- Keeper
- Kody
- Katniss
People Names for Dogs
You’ll notice that many of the names on this list are human baby names as well, and would sound equally at home on a person as they do on a puppy. Why is that? Our data shows that each year, dog lovers increasingly turn to human names for their pets. This reflects the larger cultural trend that embraces dogs as full-fledged family members rather than “just” pets.
In the past, male dog names and female dog names alike were less likely to be personalized to the dog. For instance, a boy dog might have been named Fido or Rover, while a girl dog might have been called Lady or Princess. Nowadays, however, you’re more likely to hear Ruby, Riley, or Reese called out at the local dog park.
Tips for Choosing a Dog Name
So how do you find the perfect “R” name for your dog? Think about personality—yours AND theirs! For example, in this list, there’s a variety to fit any type of dog, from a sweet Rosie to a tough Ryker or a friendly Ralphie.
Another consideration when choosing your dog’s name? Dog training. This is of particular importance for puppies. When you’re teaching your new dog to respond to commands like sit, stay, or come, you’ll want to be sure their name isn’t a source of confusion. In other words, avoid puppy names that sound like a common dog training cue, such as “Bit,” which could easily be misheard as “sit.” Many dog experts recommend choosing a name with at least two syllables and a sing-song or vowel sound at the end.
Dog breeds factor into puppy name decisions, as well. A big dog like a Great Dane can carry Rambo, while a French bulldog would be cute as Roux and a Chihuahua as Rico.
However, don’t worry if you don’t stick to your chosen theme for your new puppy or adopted dog. The best dog names fit the individual pet and make you smile. Because dogs are part of our family, and their names reflect what’s important to us as well as our love for them.
