Irish Boy Names Starting with R

8 Irish boy names beginning with R, with what each one means and how to say it.

Updated September 2026

There are 8 Irish boy names starting with R here. The ones readers look up most are Ruari, Ronan and Riordan.

Most popular in Ireland in 2025

The R names for boys on this page that the most babies were given in 2025, by the Central Statistics Office’s ranking.

Raymond in Irish is Redmond, meaning “counsellor, protector.” Say it RED-mond.

RED-mond

Redmond means “counsellor, protector.” Two syllables, stress on the first.

RYE-lee

Reilly comes from the Irish surname Ó Raghallaigh, “descendant of Raghallach.” Two syllables, stress on the first.

REE-an

Rían is an old Irish boy’s name of uncertain meaning, traditionally said to mean “little king.” Two syllables, stress on the first.

REER-don

Riordan means “royal poet.” Two syllables, stress on the first.

RO-nan

Ronan means “seal.” Two syllables, stress on the first.

ROO-awn

Ruadhan means “little red one.” Two syllables, stress on the first.

RO-ree

Ruari means “red king.” Two syllables, stress on the first.