Ronald
Ronald is a boy's name of Norse origin.
Meaning
Ruler's advisor or powerful judgment.
Origin and history
Ronald is derived from the Old Norse name Rögnvaldr, composed of elements meaning ruler's advisor or powerful judgment. It was brought to Britain by Scandinavian settlers and reinforced by Scottish usage. It became extremely popular in the early-to-mid 20th century in the United States and remains a classic, recognizable name.
Popularity in the United States
1,082,247 babies in the United States have been named Ronald since 1880. It ranks #27 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #575.
States where it is most popular
- NY (7.8 %)
- CA (7.8 %)
- PA (7.7 %)
- OH (6.5 %)
- IL (6.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 63 |
| 1890-1900 | 209 |
| 1900-1910 | 616 |
| 1910-1920 | 5,301 |
| 1920-1930 | 20,894 |
| 1930-1940 | 140,332 |
| 1940-1950 | 282,489 |
| 1950-1960 | 271,139 |
| 1960-1970 | 182,190 |
| 1970-1980 | 81,730 |
| 1980-1990 | 46,670 |
| 1990-2000 | 26,681 |
| 2000-2010 | 13,645 |
| 2010-2019 | 7,356 |
| 2020-2029 | 2,932 |
Famous people named Ronald
- Ronald Reagan: President, Actor
Nicknames
Ron, Ronnie, Ronny
Fun facts
- Ronald developed strong Scottish associations in the Middle Ages as a translation of the Gaelic Raghnall.
- The name gained mid-century prominence and enduring political history through U.S. President Ronald Reagan.