Ronald
A boys’ name of Old Norse origin, meaning ruler's advisor; power and counsel.
How Ronald has moved
View as table
| Year | US rank |
|---|---|
| 2015 | #434 |
| 2016 | #429 |
| 2017 | #462 |
| 2018 | #491 |
| 2019 | #529 |
| 2020 | #558 |
| 2021 | #563 |
| 2022 | #559 |
| 2023 | #612 |
| 2024 | #575 |
| 2025 | #638 |
Ronald by the numbers
In 2025, 59 babies in England and Wales were named Ronald. In the US, 655 were, though that figure is from 2017, the most recent full year we hold.
For the size of the two countries, it is given noticeably more often in the US than in England and Wales.
Its American peak was 34,884 babies in 1947, so it is a 1940s name that has since fallen a long way.
At its height, in 1940, about 1 in 57 American boys born that year was called Ronald.
Names that come from Ronald
Forms of Ronald in other languages, names built from it, and names that mean a son or daughter of it. Not always the same sex.
- Ronnieruler's counsel; from Ronald1,281 in England and Wales (2025)
- Ronnyruler's advisor; a form of Ronald27 in England and Wales (2025)
- Ronexalted father; a form of Ronald10 in England and Wales (2025)
- Ronnie-Jamesruler's advisor; a form of Ronald11 in England and Wales (2025)
- Ronnie-Leeruler; a form of Ronald combined with Lee9 in England and Wales (2025)
Spelled almost the same
Other names in the records within a letter or two of Ronald. Close spellings are not always related names, but they are usually worth seeing together.
- Ronaldocounsel power; Italian form of Ronald119 in the US (2017)
- Ronalruler's advisor; a form of Ronald11 in the US (2017)
- Ronanlittle seal or descendant of Rónan232 in England and Wales (2025)
- Royalof the king; regal984 in the US (2017)
- Rolandfamous land or renowned throughout the land531 in the US (2017)
- Royaleroyal; modern spelling of royale81 in the US (2017)
Other names that mean strength
Like Ronald, each of these has strength in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Liamresolute protector; short form of William18,764 in the US (2017)
- Williamresolute protector14,922 in the US (2017)
- Ethanstrong, enduring12,398 in the US (2017)
- GabrielGod is my strength9,110 in the US (2017)
- Aaronmountain of strength; exalted7,185 in the US (2017)
- Aubreyelf ruler; noble strength6,029 in the US (2017)
Other names that mean wisdom
Like Ronald, each of these has wisdom in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Skylarscholar, learned one; a modern respelling of Schuyler4,984 in the US (2017)
- Quinndescendant of Conn; wise and intelligent4,467 in the US (2017)
- Alfiewise counsel; from Alfred1,955 in England and Wales (2025)
- Sagewise one1,669 in the US (2017)
- Skylerscholar, learned one; modern respelling of Schuyler1,459 in the US (2017)
- Reggiecounsel power; from Reginald1,312 in England and Wales (2025)
Names about as common as Ronald
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