The Most Popular Cat Names That Start With R (Updated for 2024)

Every pet owner has a unique path they follow when choosing a name for their animals. Some choose to name them after characters in their favorite books or TV shows, while others use their cat’s personality or physical appearance as inspiration.

If all you know is you want to give your kitty a name that starts with R, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to find the most popular cat names beginning with the letter R and dozens of other options to inspire you.

The 10 Most Popular Cat Names That Start With R

Do you want to know the most popular cat names for this year? We have you covered. Below are the most popular male and female cat names that begin with the letter R. Some of the names have been recorded as trending, while others were voted on. Check them out!

1. Rasta

The legalization of cannabis in many states has inspired cat-owners to name their cat something marijuana-themed. Rasta saw a 38% increase in popularity, and for good reason. The name “Rasta” would perfectly fit a cat with a relaxed and chill purrsonality.


2. Rip

The TV series “Yellowstone” is on a lot of people’s “must-watch shows” list, so it is not surprising that people are naming their cat after pivotal characters. The name Rip has increased in popularity by 25% over the past year.

cat lying on a cat bed
Image Credit: VGstockstudio, Shutterstock

3. Richard

Another TV show that has everyone talking about is “The Bear”. While the name Richard, in general, is more commonly assigned to people, cat owners are leaning more towards using people-names for their beloved felines. There has been a 27% increase in the number of people naming a cat Richard, which says something about that character!


4. Roma

We all know traveling can be expensive. So, some people name their cats after a place they dream about traveling to one day or after a place that touched their hearts. Roma, this romantic Italian capital, has seen a 17% increase in popularity.


5. Ren

In addition to newer shows, TV series from the 90s are influencing people what to name their cats. Despite the fact that Ren (from “Ren & Stimpy”) is a Chihuahua, it has become a popular choice amongst cat owners.

Close up of cheerful Indian young couple with a cat
Image Credit: VAKS-Stock Agency, Shutterstock

6. Roy

Here is another name that became popularized from a television show, “Ted Lasso”. Roy, who played the handsome retired football player on the show, saw a 7% increase in popularity.


7. Raul

The next name on our list was voted on by the public on cats.com for R names. With 190 votes, Raul is the Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian form of the masculine name Ralph. There are a few famous Rauls, like the late Raul Julia from the Addams Family movies and Raúl Esparza, who famously played ADA Barba on Law & Order: SVU.


8. Raiden

Coming in as the second most voted-on R name with 171 words is Raiden. This name has Japanese origins, with the characters “rai” meaning “thunder, and “den/jin” meaning “lighting”. Translated into English, Raiden means the god of thunder and lightning in Shinto mythology.

Japanese Bobtail cat living at home on a cat tree
Image Credit: Algorithm images, Shutterstock

9. Raegan

Raegan is the third most popular name, earning 166 votes. Coming from Irish origin of the last name Ó Riagáin, Raegan means independent and strong-willed. This name will suit any cat that has a feisty persona.


10. Raven

With 164 votes, Raven is becoming a popular choice for cats. Although the name often invokes a dark image because of the bird that bears it, the characteristics behind it are not as brooding, with words like “loving”, “affectionate”, and “compassionate” associated with it.

Other Great Names That Start With R

If none of the popular cat names above suit your kitty, you might have better luck with our list of other fantastic R names for cats.

  • Racer
  • Rachel
  • Radar
  • Ragnarök
  • Ramona
  • Ramsès
  • Ranger
  • Raptor
  • Rascal
  • Rasputin
  • Ratchet
  • Raul
  • Raya
  • Razzmatazz
  • Reba
  • Rebel
  • Red
  • Regina
  • Ren
  • Rex
  • Rey
  • Reya
  • Ribbon
  • Ricky
  • Ricochet
  • Riddler
  • Ringer
  • Rio
  • Riptide
  • Rizz
  • Rizzo
  • Robin
  • Rocco
  • Rocket
  • Roo
  • Rooney
  • Rory
  • Rose
  • Roux
  • Roz
  • Rudder
  • Rudolph
  • Rudy
  • Rufus
  • Rumble
  • Rusty

Food-Inspired Cat Names That Start With R

Food-inspired pet names are adorable, especially because some are random and memorable. If you want your kitty to stand out in the crowd, one of these R names inspired by dishes and foods from around the world could be perfect.

  • Radish
  • Radish
  • Raisin
  • Ramen
  • Ramen
  • Raspberry
  • Ratatouille
  • Ravioli
  • Relish
  • Reuben
  • Rhubarb
  • Ribs
  • Rice
  • Ricotta
  • Rigatoni
  • Risotto
  • Roast
  • Root Beer
  • Roquefort
  • Rosemary
  • Rowanberry
  • Ruffles
  • Rum Cake
  • Russet
  • Rutabaga
  • Rye

cat playing with electronic flapping fish toy
Image Credit: Simxa, Shutterstock

Character Cat Names That Start With R

If you’re a pop culture fiend, you might select one of the following names inspired by movie, TV show, comic, and book characters.

  • R2D2 (Star Wars)
  • Raichu (Pokemon)
  • Raja (Aladdin)
  • Rajesh “Raj” Koothrappali (The Big Bang Theory)
  • Ralph Wiggum (The Simpsons)
  • Rambo (Rambo)
  • Ramsay Bolton (Game of Thrones)
  • Raymond Holt (Brooklyn 99)
  • Regina George (Mean Girls)
  • Remus Lupin (Harry Potter)
  • Remy (Ratatouille)
  • Renly Baratheon (Game of Thrones)
  • Richie Rich (Harvey comics)
  • Rick Grimes (The Walking Dead)
  • Riddick (Chronicles of Riddick)
  • Rita Skeeter (Harry Potter)
  • Riven (League of Legends)
  • Road Runner (Looney Tunes)
  • Robocop (RoboCop)
  • Rocket Raccoon (Marvel Comics)
  • Rocky Balboa (Rocky)
  • Ron Swanson (Parks and Recreation)
  • Ron Weasley (Harry Potter)
  • Rory Gilmore (Gilmore Girls)
  • Ross Gellar (Friends)
  • Rowena Ravenclaw (Harry Potter)
  • Rubeus Hagrid (Harry Potter)
  • Rumpelstiltskin (Rumpelstiltskin fairy tale)

How to Pick the Right Name

Picking the right name can feel impossible at first, but there are some tricks you can implement to make the process easier.

Don’t rush it. It’s better to wait a few days or weeks to name your cat than selecting one you wind up hating after a few days and having to put your cat through the trouble of changing it.

Keep things simple. Choose a name that’s easy to say. Most experts recommend two-syllable names as it’s simpler to pronounce and easier for your kitty to understand.

Consider other household names. Don’t name your cat Raven if there’s already one in the house called Maven. As cute as it is to have rhyming names, it could cause confusion between your animals.

Keep it clean. As funny as giving your cat an inappropriate name may be, remember that you’ll be using your pet’s name when registering them at the vet. If you’ll be embarrassed when the nurse calls out your cat in a room filled with other pet owners, it’s probably best to keep those R-rated options as nicknames.

Final Thoughts

Naming your new pet can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. You don’t need to have a name picked out the day you bring your new kitty home. In fact, it won’t matter to your pet how soon they are given a name.

We hope our list of R names has inspired you, so you’re well on your way to picking the best and most suitable name for your sweet new addition.


Featured Image Credit: Loopneo, Shutterstock

The post The Most Popular Cat Names That Start With R (Updated for 2024) appeared first on PangoVet.

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