115+ Japanese Names That Start With “R” With Meanings
The Japanese “R” is a soft flap sound, somewhere between R and L in English, but it stands tall at the beginning of many beautiful things, including one of Japan’s loveliest seasonal markers, Risshun. If the letter “R” speaks to you for any reason, you’ll love giving your little one a name that starts with it.
When you embark on the journey to find such a name, the English options can feel a little overused… but the Japanese ones? They’re refreshingly unique and full of charm!
Many popular Japanese names that begin with the letter “R” are short, while others are a bit longer. Either way, they all have a fresh, melodic sound that fits today’s Japanese naming trends. Since it’s not clear whether you’re searching for a boy name, a girl name, or something unisex, we’ve put together options for all three. So, let the quest for the ideal R-names commence!
Japanese Male Names that Start With “R”
If both you and your partner have names with “R” at the start, what stops you from starting the tradition of “R” names for your generations to come? Nothing! However, opt for Japanese “R” names to make it stand out. Pick the name with meaning in mind, hoping your little boy will carry the same quality. Immerse yourself in the following list for the sake of your little guy to find the name he truly deserves!
- Riku
- Meaning: Land, shore
- Pronunciation: Ree-koo
- Kanji: 陸
- Ren
- Meaning: Lotus flower
- Pronunciation: Ren
- Kanji: 蓮
- Ryota
- Meaning: Refreshing and thick
- Pronunciation: Ryoh-tah
- Kanji: 涼太
- Ryusei
- Meaning: Shooting star
- Pronunciation: Ryoo-say
- Kanji: 流星
- Raito
- Meaning: Coming person
- Pronunciation: Rah-ee-toh
- Kanji: 来人
- Ryo
- Meaning: Refreshing, cool
- Pronunciation: Ryoh
- Kanji: 涼
- Rikuya
- Meaning: Land and night
- Pronunciation: Ree-koo-yah
- Kanji: 陸夜
- Ryohei
- Meaning: Clear and flat
- Pronunciation: Ryoh-hay
- Kanji: 亮平
- Ritsu
- Meaning: Rhythm, law
- Pronunciation: Reet-soo
- Kanji: 律
- Renji
- Meaning: Lotus second son
- Pronunciation: Ren-jee
- Kanji: 蓮二
- Reon
- Meaning: Sound of waves
- Pronunciation: Reh-on
- Kanji: 嶺音
- Raiden
- Meaning: Thunder and lightning
- Pronunciation: Rah-ee-den
- Kanji: 雷電
- Reiki
- Meaning: Beautiful radiance
- Pronunciation: Ray-kee
- Kanji: 麗輝
- Ryoichi
- Meaning: Good first son
- Pronunciation: Ryoh-ee-chee
- Kanji: 良一
- Rokuro
- Meaning: Sixth son
- Pronunciation: Roh-koo-roh
- Kanji: 六郎
- Rinta
- Meaning: Dignified and thick
- Pronunciation: Reen-tah
- Kanji: 凛太
- Reo
- Meaning: Wise king
- Pronunciation: Reh-oh
- Kanji: 怜央
- Ryohei
- Meaning: Good and flat
- Pronunciation: Ryoh-hay
- Kanji: 良平
- Renjiro
- Meaning: Lotus second son
- Pronunciation: Ren-jee-roh
- Kanji: 蓮二郎
- Rikuto
- Meaning: Land and person
- Pronunciation: Ree-koo-toh
- Kanji: 陸斗
- Ryosuke
- Meaning: Clear helper
- Pronunciation: Ryoh-skeh
- Kanji: 亮介
- Reito
- Meaning: Beautiful person
- Pronunciation: Ray-toh
- Kanji: 麗斗
- Ryoji
- Meaning: Good second son
- Pronunciation: Ryoh-jee
- Kanji: 良二
- Rentaro
- Meaning: Lotus big son
- Pronunciation: Ren-tah-roh
- Kanji: 蓮太郎
- Rikiya
- Meaning: Land and arrow
- Pronunciation: Ree-kee-yah
- Kanji: 陸矢
- Raito
- Meaning: Thunder person
- Pronunciation: Rah-ee-toh
- Kanji: 雷斗
- Raimu
- Meaning: Thunder dream
- Pronunciation: Rah-ee-moo
- Kanji: 雷夢
- Raiki
- Meaning: Thunder tree
- Pronunciation: Rah-ee-kee
- Kanji: 雷樹
- Rento
- Meaning: Connection and person
- Pronunciation: Ren-toh
- Kanji: 連斗
- Ryuji
- Meaning: Prosperous second son
- Pronunciation: Ryoo-jee
- Kanji: 隆二
- Reito
- Meaning: Courtesy and person
- Pronunciation: Ray-toh
- Kanji: 礼斗
- Rikuo
- Meaning: Land and king
- Pronunciation: Ree-koo-oh
- Kanji: 陸王
- Rintaro
- Meaning: Dignified big son
- Pronunciation: Reen-tah-roh
- Kanji: 凛太郎
- Raiga
- Meaning: Thunder fang
- Pronunciation: Rah-ee-gah
- Kanji: 雷牙
- Ryusuke
- Meaning: Prosperous helper
- Pronunciation: Ryoo-skeh
- Kanji: 隆介
- Rento
- Meaning: Lotus and person
- Pronunciation: Ren-toh
- Kanji: 蓮人
- Reiya
- Meaning: Beautiful arrow
- Pronunciation: Ray-yah
- Kanji: 麗矢
- Reito
- Meaning: Spirit and person
- Pronunciation: Ray-toh
- Kanji: 怜斗
- Rikki
- Meaning: Land and tree
- Pronunciation: Reek-kee
- Kanji: 陸樹
- Ryosei
- Meaning: Clear star
- Pronunciation: Ryoh-say
- Kanji: 亮星
Japanese Female Names that Start With “R”
If you want your little piece of heart to have a calm, elegant, and cool personality, labeling her with a Japanese name starting with “R” can be a perfect start. Unlike many Japanese names that mean dark, fire, water or sun, many of these names carry gentle meanings like purity, elegance, and calmness. Every daughter deserves a name that everyone admires the moment they hear it. So take a stroll through our list and choose a name for your little lady that’s just as beautiful as she is!
- Rina
- Meaning: White jasmine
- Pronunciation: Ree-nah
- Kanji: 莉奈
- Riko
- Meaning: Jasmine child
- Pronunciation: Ree-koh
- Kanji: 莉子
- Rei
- Meaning: Beautiful, lovely
- Pronunciation: Ray
- Kanji: 麗
- Rena
- Meaning: Lotus elegant
- Pronunciation: Reh-nah
- Kanji: 蓮奈
- Rie
- Meaning: Blessing and picture
- Pronunciation: Ree-eh
- Kanji: 理恵
- Risaki
- Meaning: Pear blossom
- Pronunciation: Ree-sah-kee
- Kanji: 梨咲
- Riko
- Meaning: Reason child
- Pronunciation: Ree-koh
- Kanji: 理子
- Riho
- Meaning: Jasmine sail
- Pronunciation: Ree-hoh
- Kanji: 莉帆
- Ran
- Meaning: Orchid
- Pronunciation: Rahn
- Kanji: 蘭
- Reina
- Meaning: Beautiful elegant
- Pronunciation: Ray-nah
- Kanji: 麗奈
- Ryouka
- Meaning: Refreshing summer
- Pronunciation: Ryoh-kah
- Kanji: 涼夏
- Rika
- Meaning: Pear blossom
- Pronunciation: Ree-kah
- Kanji: 梨花
- Rino
- Meaning: Jasmine field
- Pronunciation: Ree-noh
- Kanji: 莉乃
- Ririka
- Meaning: Jasmine pear blossom
- Pronunciation: Ree-ree-kah
- Kanji: 莉梨花
- Rena
- Meaning: Graceful apple
- Pronunciation: Reh-nah
- Kanji: 怜奈
- Rin
- Meaning: Dignified, cold
- Pronunciation: Reen
- Kanji: 凛
- Rui
- Meaning: Tears, affection
- Pronunciation: Roo-ee
- Kanji: 涙
- Reika
- Meaning: Beautiful flower
- Pronunciation: Ray-kah
- Kanji: 麗花
- Rion
- Meaning: Jasmine sound
- Pronunciation: Ree-on
- Kanji: 莉音
- Ryoko
- Meaning: Refreshing child
- Pronunciation: Ryoh-koh
- Kanji: 涼子
- Renka
- Meaning: Lotus summer
- Pronunciation: Ren-kah
- Kanji: 蓮夏
- Riho
- Meaning: Reason and sail
- Pronunciation: Ree-hoh
- Kanji: 理帆
- Reiko
- Meaning: Lovely child
- Pronunciation: Ray-koh
- Kanji: 麗子
- Risa
- Meaning: Pear sand
- Pronunciation: Ree-sah
- Kanji: 梨沙
- Riko
- Meaning: Fragrant child
- Pronunciation: Ree-koh
- Kanji: 梨子
- Riina
- Meaning: Beautiful elegant
- Pronunciation: Ree-nah
- Kanji: 理奈
- Runa
- Meaning: Moon elegant
- Pronunciation: Roo-nah
- Kanji: 月奈
- Ritsu
- Meaning: Rhythm, discipline
- Pronunciation: Reet-soo
- Kanji: 律
- Reona
- Meaning: Sound of waves elegant
- Pronunciation: Reh-oh-nah
- Kanji: 嶺音奈
- Riona
- Meaning: Jasmine elegant
- Pronunciation: Ree-oh-nah
- Kanji: 莉央奈
- Rimi
- Meaning: Beautiful jasmine
- Pronunciation: Ree-mee
- Kanji: 莉美
- Remi
- Meaning: Beautiful blessing
- Pronunciation: Reh-mee
- Kanji: 麗美
- Riyo
- Meaning: Jasmine generation
- Pronunciation: Ree-yoh
- Kanji: 莉代
- Rana
- Meaning: Orchid elegant
- Pronunciation: Rah-nah
- Kanji: 蘭奈
- Rinka
- Meaning: Cold flower
- Pronunciation: Reen-kah
- Kanji: 凛花
- Riko
- Meaning: Village child
- Pronunciation: Ree-koh
- Kanji: 里子
- Riyo
- Meaning: Reason and generation
- Pronunciation: Ree-yoh
- Kanji: 理代
- Ritsuki
- Meaning: Jasmine moon
- Pronunciation: Ree-tsoo-kee
- Kanji: 莉月
- Ryoka
- Meaning: Refreshing flower
- Pronunciation: Ryoh-kah
- Kanji: 涼花
- Rion
- Meaning: Beautiful sound
- Pronunciation: Ree-on
- Kanji: 理音
Japanese Unisex Names Starting With “R”
Choosing unisex names is a significant and growing trend where you can go with any name, no matter your baby’s gender. If you too want to follow this trend, why not do it uniquely by choosing an “R” Japanese name? Choosing an unisex name, and that even in Japanese, would fill your relatives up with joy. Let’s get exploring the list and see what’s special here for your so special little one!
- Rui
- Meaning: Precious gem
- Pronunciation: Roo-ee
- Kanji: 琉依
- Ren
- Meaning: Love, affection
- Pronunciation: Ren
- Kanji: 恋
- Riku
- Meaning: Smart jewel
- Pronunciation: Ree-koo
- Kanji: 理玖
- Reo
- Meaning: Sound of waves
- Pronunciation: Reh-oh
- Kanji: 澪
- Ritsu
- Meaning: Stand, establish
- Pronunciation: Reet-soo
- Kanji: 立
- Ryouya
- Meaning: Refreshing night
- Pronunciation: Ryoh-yah
- Kanji: 涼夜
- Rin
- Meaning: Wheel, circle
- Pronunciation: Reen
- Kanji: 輪
- Rion
- Meaning: Reason and sound
- Pronunciation: Ree-on
- Kanji: 理音
- Ryou
- Meaning: Clear, bright
- Pronunciation: Ryoh
- Kanji: 亮
- Ran
- Meaning: Storm
- Pronunciation: Rahn
- Kanji: 嵐
- Reito
- Meaning: Beautiful person
- Pronunciation: Ray-toh
- Kanji: 嶺斗
- Ruka
- Meaning: Flowing flower
- Pronunciation: Roo-kah
- Kanji: 流花
- Rinto
- Meaning: Forest person
- Pronunciation: Reen-toh
- Kanji: 林斗
- Reiji
- Meaning: Courtesy and two
- Pronunciation: Ray-jee
- Kanji: 礼二
- Ryuu
- Meaning: Flow, current
- Pronunciation: Ryoo
- Kanji: 流
- Ryo
- Meaning: Good, excellent
- Pronunciation: Ryoh
- Kanji: 良
- Rito
- Meaning: Jasmine person
- Pronunciation: Ree-toh
- Kanji: 莉都
- Raito
- Meaning: Thunder sound
- Pronunciation: Rah-ee-toh
- Kanji: 雷音
- Renka
- Meaning: Connection flower
- Pronunciation: Ren-kah
- Kanji: 連花
- Riou
- Meaning: Jasmine cherry
- Pronunciation: Ree-oh
- Kanji: 莉桜
- Reina
- Meaning: Zero, beginning
- Pronunciation: Ray-nah
- Kanji: 零奈
- Ruka
- Meaning: Land flower
- Pronunciation: Roo-kah
- Kanji: 陸花
- Ryouma
- Meaning: Clear and truth
- Pronunciation: Ryoh-mah
- Kanji: 亮真
- Ren
- Meaning: Connection, link
- Pronunciation: Ren
- Kanji: 連
- Reiya
- Meaning: Courtesy and arrow
- Pronunciation: Ray-yah
- Kanji: 礼矢
- Rinto
- Meaning: Cold person
- Pronunciation: Reen-toh
- Kanji: 凛人
- Ryousei
- Meaning: Cool star
- Pronunciation: Ryoh-say
- Kanji: 涼星
- Ryouki
- Meaning: Clear tree
- Pronunciation: Ryoh-kee
- Kanji: 亮樹
- Rion
- Meaning: Jasmine sound
- Pronunciation: Ree-on
- Kanji: 璃音
- Reiya
- Meaning: Beautiful arrow
- Pronunciation: Ray-yah
- Kanji: 嶺矢
- Ryou
- Meaning: Cool, refreshing
- Pronunciation: Ryoh
- Kanji: 涼
- Renta
- Meaning: Lotus thick
- Pronunciation: Ren-tah
- Kanji: 蓮汰
- Rito
- Meaning: Reason and person
- Pronunciation: Ree-toh
- Kanji: 理斗
- Ryosei
- Meaning: Good star
- Pronunciation: Ryoh-say
- Kanji: 良星
- Reita
- Meaning: Beautiful thick
- Pronunciation: Ray-tah
- Kanji: 麗汰
- Ryouga
- Meaning: Clear fang
- Pronunciation: Ryoh-gah
- Kanji: 亮牙
- Ruki
- Meaning: Flowing tree
- Pronunciation: Roo-kee
- Kanji: 流樹
- Reira
- Meaning: Beautiful good
- Pronunciation: Ray-rah
- Kanji: 麗良
- Rento
- Meaning: Lotus person
- Pronunciation: Ren-toh
- Kanji: 蓮都
- Rensei
- Meaning: Lotus star
- Pronunciation: Ren-say
- Kanji: 蓮星
Things You Must Know About Japanese Names Starting With “R”
The English “R” sound doesn’t exist in Japanese, but the names sure do! The Japanese “R” is kind of a mix between R, L, and D. It sounds smooth, light, and elegant. Because of that, names starting with R (like Riku, Rina, Ren, and Ryo) convey a gentle yet confident impression, a quality valued in Japanese naming.
Ren, Rei, Rina, and some others are easy to say internationally, so they’re popular picks for families thinking about global identity or international careers. And even though names starting with “R” are common in Japan, there’s no cultural concern tied to the letter.
The list of popular Japanese names starting with “R” lists Reina (怜奈) meaning ‘wise and graceful’, Ren (蓮) meaning ‘lotus flower’, Rei (玲) meaning ‘beautiful and lovely’, and Rina (莉奈) meaning ‘jasmine and elegant’. Perhaps their beautiful meanings have contributed to their popularity, as each of these names carries a gentle sound and a cherished meaning in Japanese culture.
So many reasons exist for why people choose these names, not just one. Some might choose to honor an ancestor, some because of a favorite celebrity, and some go with a name from anime, like Rin Itoshi or any. If you picked any name from our lists, but feel it’s too short, you can make it even beautiful by combining it with another kanji.
Our recommendation: If you’re considering any of these names for your little one, we recommend doing a bit more research on their meanings.
Conclusion
Japanese names that start with “R” aren’t just being used these days; they’ve been given to kids for decades. Everyone has their own reasons for choosing them, but a big part of their appeal is probably just how gentle they sound. These names are often selected with meaning in mind, and with the hope that their little ones will grow up to reflect the same beautiful qualities.
Japanese people are super creative when it comes to naming; they incorporate a different kanji character into a name they’ve selected to make it look/feel more appealing, so can you with the “R” starting Japanese name you chose. If you want a name that’s actually Japanese but also sounds like an English name, you could go with Rina, Risa, or another one from our list that you think would work.
You don’t need to have any connection to Japan — you can set these names for your little ones without worrying about what anyone else thinks. Just focus on how it feels to your family, and definitely to your little one. As you cradle your dreams of tomorrow, we hope our collections helped you discover the name that makes your heart smile!
If you’re looking for Japanese names that start with a specific letter, charming K names, yummy Y names, stylish S names, amazing A names, heartfelt H names, joyful J names, meaningful M names, and timeless T names offer a variety of great choices.
