Noah Boy
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#2
Randal
BoyOld English, Germanic· “variant of Randall; shield wolf”
- Meaning
- variant of Randall; shield wolf
- Origin
- Old English, Germanic
- Pronunciation
- RAN-dul
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #5,345
- US babies 2025
- 18
- Best rank
- #190 (1958)
- Peak year
- 1958
Meaning and origin of Randal
Randal is an Old English and Germanic name that is usually said to mean “variant of Randall; shield wolf”.
Randal is a spelling of Randall, an English surname from the medieval name Randolf, from the Germanic rand, shield, and wulf, wolf. Randolf was used in England after the Norman Conquest and gave rise to several surnames, including Randall, Randle and Rand. It is said RAN-dul. In Scotland and Ireland, Randal was also used to anglicize the Gaelic Raghnall, a name of Norse origin borne by MacDonald chiefs, so not every Randal goes back to Randolf. Randy is the usual nickname, though some families prefer Rand. The single l spelling looks slightly older than Randall.
Other spellings with the same sound: Randall, Randel, Randle, Randol.
Popularity over time
Randal first appears in US Social Security records in 1909. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 57 different years, starting in 1938. Its best national rank was #190 in 1958, the same year it reached its highest count of 1,477 babies. In 2025, 18 babies were named Randal, and it ranked #5,345 nationally. That is 56% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,871 in 1920, #305 in 1950, #565 in 1980, #1,662 in 2000, #2,776 in 2010, and #5,345 in 2025. Of the 29,192 US boys named Randal since records began, 36% were born in the 1950s, its biggest decade. The 1960s come next, with 8,386 babies. Since 2010, 430 more have been named Randal.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Neal, Ted, Bret, Nelson, and Bart.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Randal is usually pronounced RAN-dul, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with R and ends in “-al”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Randall, Randel, Randle, and Randol.
Middle names for Randal
A few middle names that flow with Randal: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Randal
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Lists that include Randal
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Randal mean?
Randal is an Old English and Germanic name that is usually said to mean “variant of Randall; shield wolf”.
What is the origin of the name Randal?
Randal has Old English and Germanic roots. Randal is a spelling of Randall, an English surname from the medieval name Randolf, from the Germanic rand, shield, and wulf, wolf.
Is Randal a popular name?
Not especially. Randal ranked #5,345 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Randal a boy or girl name?
Randal is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Randal?
Randal is usually pronounced RAN-dul. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings