Names  - Origins 

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RACHEL: Hebrew for "little lamb." This beautiful name has always been a favorite but has mercifully never become too trendy. Relatives: Rachael, Rachele, Rochelle, Rahel, Raquel, Rae, Ray, Shelley, Shelly, Shellie, Chelle, Chellie. Namesakes: wife of Jacob, Rachel Carson, Rachel Ward, Rachel Roberts, Raquel Welch, Shelley Long.

RADCLIFF: Old English for "red cliff." A bit hefty unless the child looks particularly studious. Relatives: Radcliff, Radcliffe, Radclyffe, Radclyf, Radford, Radley, Radnor, Rad. Namesakes: Radcliffe College, Radnor (Penn.)

RAE: Old English for "doe." Relatives: Ray, Rai. Namesakes: Rae Dawn Chong, Norma Rae.

RAIN: From the Latin for "ruler." This could also refer to the meterological phenomenon. Relatives: Raine, Rein, Reign, Raine, Rayne, Rana, Rane.

RAINIER: From the Latin for "ruler." Relatives: Rainer, Raner. Namesakes: Rainer Fassbinder, Prince Rainier of Monaco, Rainer Maria Rilke.

RAISSA: From the Old French for "thinker" and Greek for "rose." In the spirit of glasnost, consider Raisa. Relatives: Raisa, Raizel, Rayzel, Razel. Namesake: Raisa Gorbachev.

RALEIGH: Old English for "dweller by the deer meadow." Relatives: Rawley, Rawly, Rawls, Leigh, Lee. Namesakes: Sir Walter Raleigh, Lou Rawls, Raleigh (N.C.)

RALPH: Old English for "wolf" or "wise counsel." After a dry spell, Ralph and the variations are once again gaining favor. Relatives: Ralf, Raff, Raffi, Rolf, Rolph, Raoul, Raul, Ralston. Namesakes: Ralph Waldo Emerson, Sir Ralph Richardson, Ralph Lauren, Ralph Nader, Raul Julia.

RAMONA: Spanish for "wise protector." Relatives: Ramonda, Ray, Rae, Mona. Namesake: "Ramona Quimby."

RAMSEY: Old English for "ram's land." If astrology amuses you, take a close look at this for an Aries baby. Relatives: Ramsay, Ramsden. Namesakes: Ramsey Clark, Ramsey Lewis, Ramsay MacDonald.

RANDOLPH: Anglo-Saxon for "shield-wolf." A handsome choice with solid nickname choices. Relatives: Randolf, Randall, Randal, Randell, Randl, Randle, Randy, Rankin, Rand, Ran. Namesakes: Randolph Scott, Randolph Macon, Randall Jarrell, Ayn Rand.

RANGER: From the Old French for "dweller in the field" and an occupational name for "forest guardian." Relative: Rainger. Namesakes: "The Lone Ranger," "Ranger Rick."

RANSOM: Old English for "son of the shield" and Latin for "redeemer." A third baseman for the Chicago Cubs, Ransom Jackson, was nicknamed "Handsome Ransom." Relatives: Ransome, Ranson, Rankin, Ransford ("raven's ford"), Ransley ("raven's meadow"), Rance. Namesakes: John Crowe Ransom, Arthur Ransome.

RAPHAEL: From the Hebrew for "healed by God." An appealing name with a poetic quality. Relatives: Rafael, Rafaelle, Rafaello, Rafe, Rafer, Rafi, Raff, Raph, Rafferty, Raphaella. Namesakes: Rafer Johnson, Rafael Palmeiro.

RASHID: Swahili for "wise adviser." Relative: Rasheed.

RAVINDER: From "ravine." A variation for a little girl might be Ravinia, like the summer home of the Chicago Symphony. Relatives: Ravi, Ravinia. Namesake: Ravi Shankar.

RAWLINS: Old English for "son of a little wise wolf." Relatives: Rawlings, Rawson. Namesakes: Marjorie Rawlings, Rawlings sporting goods.

RAYBURN: Old English for "from the deer stream." Relatives: Ray, Rayfield, Rayford. Namesakes: Sam Rayburn, Sir Henry Raeburn.

RAYMOND: Old German for "worthy protector." This name faded in the 1960s and 1970s but is beginning to find a foothold again. Relatives: Raymund, Ramon, Raimundo, Raimund, Reamonn, Raynor, Rainer, Ray, Rae, Wray. Namesakes: Raymond Massey, Raymond Chandler, Ray Charles.

READ: Old English for "red-haired" or "reed." We are particularly fond of this choice, no matter how you spell it. Relatives: Reed, Reid, Reading, Reade. Namesakes: John Reed, Ishmael Reed, Reading Railroad.

REBECCA: From the Hebrew for "bound." Rebecca is keeping apace with Rachel in the biblical-names category. Relatives: Rebekah, Rebeccah, Rebeca, Rebeka, Rebeque, Rebequa, Becky, Bekki, Becca, Becha, Becka, Riba, Reba, Riva, Reeba, Rivka, Rifka, Rivca. Namesakes: wife of Isaac, Dame Rebecca West, Reba McEntire, "Becky Sharp," Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm.

REDFORD: Old English for "from the red ford." Both the name and the variations are handsome. Farrah Fawcett and Ryan O'Neal chose Redmond for their son. Relatives: Redfield, Redgrave, Redman, Redmond (Old German for "adviser"), Redwald, Redd, Redding, Red. Namesakes: Red Smith, Robert Redford, Vanessa Redgrave.

REECE: Old Welsh for "enthusiastic." A pleasant name, it offers a variety of spelling choices. Relatives: Riece, Reace, Reece, Rase, Rice, Rhys, Rhett. Namesakes: Pee Wee Reese, Jean Rhys, "Rhett Buler," Reese's pieces.

REEVE: Middle English for "bailiff." Relatives: Reave, Reeves. Namesakes: Christopher Reeve, George Reeves.

REGAN: Irish Gaelic for "little king." King Lear's second daughter was named Regan. Relatives: Reagan, Rayghun, Reagen, Regen, Regino, Regent. Namesake: Ronald Reagan.

REGINA: Latin for "queenly." Appropriate for little girls destined for greatness. Relatives: Reggie, Gina, Rina, Regan, Reyna, Reine, Rein, Reina, Rain, Rane, Reyna, Rani, Raina. Namesake: Regina College.

REGINALD: Old English for "powerful one." Relatives: Reggie, Reggy, Reg, Regis, Reynolds, Reynold, Reinwald, Regnauld, Reinald, Renault, Rene, Rinaldo, Renato, Reinhold, Raghnall. Namesakes: Regis Philbin, Reggie Jackson, Mary Renault, Judge Reinhold, Reynolds Wrap.

REMINGTON: Old English for "from the raven's home." It's possible the fleeting but popular television show "Remington Steele" in the early 1980s spawned a group of little Remingtons. Relatives: Remmy, Remy, Remmie, Remme. Namesakes: Remy Martin, Frederic Remington, Remington automatic.

REMUS: Latin for "swift oarsman." Namesakes: Uncle Remus, Romulus and Remus.

RENEE: From the Latin for "reborn." Renee is most often used for girls and Rene for boys. Relatives: Rene, Renata, Rennie, Renate, Renette, Renita, Renny. Namesakes: Renee Richards, Renata Adler.

RENFREW: Old Welsh for "from the still waters." And we all know still waters run deep. Relatives: Renfred, Renshaw, Renton.

REUBEN: From the Hebrew for "behold a son." One of those biblical names that should be more popular. Relatives: Rube, Ruben, Reubin, Rubin, Reuven, Reuby, Ben, Benny. Namesakes: Rube Goldberg, "Hey, Rube," Reuben sandwich.

REX: Latin for "king." He may not grow up to be king, but he can shoot for the Senate. Relatives: Rei, Roi, Rexford, Rexer. Namesakes: Rex Harrison, Rex Stout, Rex Chapman.

RAYNARD: From the Old German for "brave one." Relatives: Raynard, Renard, Reinhard, Reinhart, Rinehart, Renaud, Reynaud, Reynart, Reyner, Rey, Ray. Namesakes: Mary Reinhart, Fernando Rey, Satyajit Ray, "Reynard the fox."

RHEA: From the Greek for "stream" or "mother" and Latin for "poppy." Relatives: Ria, Rea. Namesakes: the mother of the Greek gods, Rhea Perlman.

RHODA: From the Greek for "rose." The River Rhonda flows through Wales, and in Celtic Rhonda means "mighty river." Relatives: Rhonda, Rhodanthe, Rhodia, Rhodie, Rodie, Roe. Namesakes: Rhonda Fleming, Roe vs. Wade, "Rhoda Morgenstern," "Help Me, Rhonda."

RHODES: Middle English for "dweller by the crosses" and Greek for "roses." Namesakes: Cecil Rhodes, Dusty Rhodes, Colossus of Rhodes, Rhodes scholar.

RICHARD: From the Old German for "powerful ruler" and Old English for "brave one." Once a leader in the name game, there have been fewer and fewer little Richards in recent years. But this is a can't-miss name with scads of variations. Relatives: Ricard, Ricardo, Richerd, Richman, Ricker, Richmond, Richardson, Rickward, Rickert, Rickard, Richart, Riocard, Ritchie, Rich, Rick, Rickie, Ricky, Rico, Rocco, Dick, Dickie, Dicky. Namesakes: Richard the Lion-Hearted, Richard Strauss, Richard Burton, Ricardo Montalban, Ricky Nelson, "Richie Rich," Ritchie Valens, Dick Cavett, "Ricky Ricardo," "Dick and Jane," Poor Richard's Almanack.

RIDER: Old English for "horseman." Nice for a future equestrian. Relative: Ryder. Namesakes: Rider Haggard, Charles Ryder, Rider College.

RIGBY: Old English for "valley of the ruler." This is very "old school" and yet has a charming youthful ring to it. Namesakes: Cathy Rigby, "Eleanor Rigby," Rigby (Idaho).

RILEY: Irish Gaelic for "valiant." Relatives: Ryley, Reilly. Namesakes: James Whitcomb Riley, General Bennett Riley, The Life of Riley.

RING: From the Old German. Relatives: Ringling, Ringo. Namesakes: Ring Lardner, Ringling Brothers, Ringo Starr.

RIORDAN: Irish Gaelic for "poet." Relative: Reardon.

RIPLEY: Old English for "dweller in the noisy meadow." Realtives: Rypley, Rip. Namesakes: Rip Torn, "Rip Van Winkle," Ripley's "Believe It or Not"

RISA: From the Latin for "laughing one." For the baby girl who comes out smiling. Relative: Risë. Namesakes: Risë Stevens.

RISHON: Hebrew for "first." A feminine version is Rishona.

RISLEY: Old English for "from the wild meadow." Relative: Riston.

RITA: An abbreviated form of Margaret. Although an abbreviated form, Rita has come to stand well on its own. Namesakes: Rita Hayworth, Rita Moreno.

RITTER: From the Old German for "knight." Relative: Ritt. Namesakes: John Ritter, Thelma Ritter, Tex Ritter.

RIVA: From the French for "river" and a shortened version of Rebecca. Relatives: Rivy, Reeva, Rive, Rivi, Ria, Reva. Namesake: Rive Gauche.

RIVERS: From the Latin and French for "stream of water." Like Sky, Sunshine, and Freedom, this has a 1960-ish air to it. Nevertheless, it still clicks. Relatives: River, Rio. Namesakes: River Phoenix, Joan Rivers, Mickey Rivers.

ROARKE: Irish Gaelic for "famous ruler" and Old English for "rock." Sounds as solid as Gibraltar. Relatives: Ruark, Rourke, Rorke. Namesake: Robert Ruark, Mickey Roarke.

ROBERT: From the Old English for "bright" or "famous." A perennial favorite, Robert lends itself well to nicknames. Relatives: Roberto, Rupert, Rubert, Robertson, Robin, Robinson, Robbins, Robben, Riobard, Robby, Robbie, Robey, Rober, Rab, Rob, Bobby, Bob, Bert, Berty, Tito, Dob, Dobbs. Namesakes: Robert the Bruce, Robert E. Lee, Robert Redford, Robert De Niro, Bobby Knight, "Christopher Robin," Robin Hood, Robinson Jeffers.

ROBERTA: From the Old English for "bright" or "famous" and a feminine variation of Robert. Although never as popular as the masculine version, Roberta is a proper proper name. Relatives: Ruperta, Robin, Robyn, Robbin, Robinette, Robina, Bobbi, Bobbie, Bobby, Bert, Berta, Bertie, Berthe. Namesakes: Roberta Peters, Roberta Flack, Roberta Muldoon.

ROCHELLE: French for "from the little rock." Relatives: Rochella, Rochette. Namesake: New Rochelle (N.Y.).

ROCHESTER: Old English for "rock fortress." Jack Benny's butler, who else? Relatives: Rocky, Rock, Rocho, Roche, Rockley, Rockwell, Rockne, Rocker. Namesakes: Rock Hudson, Rocky Graciano, Knote Rockne, Norman Rockwell, Rochester (N.Y.).

RODERICK: From the Old German for "famous one." Relatives: Rodrick, Broderick, Rodrigo, Roderich, Rodrigue, Rodney, Rod, Rodd, Roddy, Rodman, Rodmond, Rory, Rick, Ricky, Roderica. Namesakes: King Roderick, Roderick Thorp, Rod Steiger, Rod Stewart, Roddy McDowall, Broderick Crawford.

RODNEY: Old English for "famous one's island." Relatives: Roddy, Rod, Rodman. Namesakes: Rodney Dangerfield, Rod Laver.

ROGAN: Irish Gaelic for "red-haired." This delightful Irish name would work beautifully for a girl or a boy. Relative: Roan.

ROGER: From the Old German for "famous spearman." A fun choice for the son of a C.B. aficionado. That's a Roger. Relatives: Rodger, Rodgers, Rogers, Rogerio, Rog, Ruggiero, Rudiger, Rodiger, Rutger. Namesakes: Roger Moore, Roger Maris, Rutger Hauer, Kenny Rogers, Will Rogers, Roy Rogers, Richard Rodgers, Jolly Roger.

ROLAND: From the Old German for "from the famous island." Relatives: Rolland, Rowland, Rollan, Rollin, Rollins, Rolando, Rodhlann, Rowe, Rollo, Rolly, Orlando, Rolt, Roland. Namesakes: Roland Barthes, Charlemagne's heroic nephew, Rollo May, Howard Rollins.

ROMEO: Italian for "pilgrim to Rome." Although Juliet has found a home in the twentieth century, Romeo remains more firmly planted in the fifteenth. Relatives: Rome, Roman, Romain, Roma, Romy, Romana. Namesakes: Roman Gabriel, Roman Polanski, Romain Gary, Romy Schneider, Romeo and Juliet.

RONALD: Old Norse for "mighty." Former President Reagan may have breathed life back into Ronald. Relatives: Ronnie, Ronny, Ron, Rona, Renaldo, Ronan, Naldo, Ronalda. Namesakes: Ronald Coleman, Ron Greschner, Ron Howard, "Ronald MacDonald".

ROONEY: Irish Gaelic for "red-haired." A delightful name that, sadly rhymes with "looney," "gooney," and "puny." Such unfortunate rhyming possibilities should be kept in mind because classmates are likely to select one of them as a nickname for your child. Relatives: Roon, Roone, Rune. Namesakes: Roon Arledge, Mickey Rooney, Andy Rooney.

ROOSEVELT: From the Dutch for "field of roses." Many New Deal babies were given this name in honor of then-president Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Relatives: Rosey, Rosie. Namesakes: Roosevelt Brown, Rosie Grier, Theodore Roosevelt.

RORY: Irish Gaelic for "red king." This adorable name can be carried with equal grace by boys or girls. Relatives: Rurik, Roric, Ruaidhri. Namesakes: Rory Calhoun, Rory Kennedy

ROSCOE: Old Norse for "from the deer forest." This is a wonderful but seldm-used name. Namesakes: Roscoe Tanner, Roscoe Lee Brown.

ROSE: From the Latin or Greek for the flower. This charming name has hundreds of variations when linked with other names. It also stands alone beautifully as a first or second name. Relatives: Rosa, Rosie, Rosey, Roz, Rozsi, Rosalie, Rosalee, Rosalia, Rosetta, Rosette, Rosina, Rosena, Rasia, Rois, Rosita, Rosebud, Rosabell, Rosalinda, Rosalind, Rosalyn, Rosly, Roslin, Roseline, Rosamund, Rosmund, Rosemonde, Rozamund, Rosanne, Rosanna, Roanee, Roanna, Rosaleen, Rosellen, Roselle, Rosemary, Rosemarie, Chara, Charo. Namesakes: Rose Kennedy, Princess Margaret Rose, Roseanne Barr, Rosa Parks, Tokyo Rose, Rosemary Clooney, Pete Rose, Rosetta Stone.

ROSLIN: From the Old French for "little red-haired one" and a blending of Rose and Lynn. This offspring of Rose has quaint variations. Relatives: Rosselin, Roslyn, Rose-Lynn, Rosalyn, Rosalind, Rosalinde, Rosalinda, Rosalynda. Namesake Rosalynn Carter.

ROSS: Scottish Gaelic for "from the peninsula," Anglo-Saxon for "horse," and a clan name. This handsome name commands respect. It has recently found a following as a strong second name and as an alternative to the overworked Scott. Relatives: Rossano, Roswald. Namesakes: Ross Martin, H. Ross Perot, Betsy Ross, Rossano Brazzi, Diana Ross.

ROWAN: Irish Gaelic for "red-haired" and Old English for "rugged." Relatives: Rowen, Rowe, Rowell, Rowley, Rowson, Rowena. Namesakes: Carol Rowan, Dan Rowan.

ROXANNE: From the Persian for "brilliant one." This might strike an old-fashioned chord in some, but the name is a noble one well worth considering. Relatives: Roxane, Roxann, Roxanna, Roxie, Roxy, Rox. Namesakes: Cyrano de Bergerac's love, Roxanne Pulitzer.

ROY: From the Old French for "regal one." This works for the boy who would be king. Relatives: Royal, Royale, Royall, Roi, Royce. Namesakes: Roy Rogers, Roy Acuff, Roy Lichtenstein.

RUBY: From the Old French for "red gem." The ruby is the birthstone for July babies. Relatives: Rubie, Rubee, Rubia, Rubina. Namesakes: Ruby Keeler, Ruby Dee, "Ruby Begonia," ruby slippers.

RUDOLPH: From the Old German for "wolf." Rudolph has faded into the Name Hall of Fame perhaps because of the red-nosed reindeer song, but Rudy and Dolph are interesting. Relatives: Rudolf, Rodolf, Rodolphe, Rodolfo, Raoul, Rudy, Rudie, Rolf, Rolph, Rollo, Rollin, Dolph. Namesakes: Rudolph Valentino, King Rudolf, Rudolf Nureyev, Rudy Vallee, Rollo May, Dolph Lundren, Wilma Rudolph, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer."

RUDYARD: Old English for "from the red gate." Relatives: Ruddy, Rudy. Namesake: Rudyard Kipling.

RUE: An herb name from the Greek and Latin. Rue, a delightful choice, also means "regret." But don't let that stop you. The herb signifies "remembrance." Namesake: Rue McClanahan.

RUFUS: From the Latin for "red-haired one." There are several names similar to Rufus for redheads; peruse all the choices before settling on one for your carrot top. Relatives: Ruphus, Rufe, Ruff, Rufford. Namesake: Rufus Thomas.

RUSH: From the French for "red-haired." A great name for a tackle. He wouldn't have to wait around for a nickname. Relatives: Rousse, Rusk, Ruskin, Rust. Namesakes: Bob Rush, Dan Rusk, Mount Rushmore, Rush Limbough.

RUSSELL: From the Old French for "red-haired" or Old English for "foxlike." Relatives: Russel, Russ, Rusty. Namesakes: Russell Baker, Russell Long, Rusty Staub, Bertrand Russell.

RUTH: From the Hebrew for "compassionate friend." Not as popular as Rachel and Rebecca, but usage is on the rise. Relatives: Ruthie, Ruthanne. Namesakes: daughter-in-law of Naomi, Ruth Gordon, Ruth Benedict, Ruth St.Denis, Babe Ruth.

RUTHERFORD: Old English for "from the cattle ford" or "from the ford of red stones." Perfect for the baby with the gray flannel layette. Relative: Ruthren. Namesakes: Rutherford B. Hayes, Dame Margaret Rutherford.

RYAN: Irish Gaelic for "little king." This trendy choice has caught on with girls as well as boys. Relatives: Ryen, Rian. Namesakes: Ryan O'Neal, Nolan Ryan, "Ryan's Hope."

RYLAN: Old English for "dweller in the rye field." The added letter gives Ryan an entirely different spin. Relatives: Ryland, Ryle, Rycroft, Ryman, Ryton. Namesakes: Gilbert Ryle, Ryman Auditorium.

~ THE BEST NAME FOR YOUR BABY: A CREATIVE GUIDE TO PROPER NAMES, by Barbara Binswanger and Lisbeth Mark. Henry Holt and Co., New York, 1990.