Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Reginald
BoyGermanic, English· “counsel and rule”
- Meaning
- counsel and rule
- Origin
- Germanic, English
- Pronunciation
- REH-juh-nuhld
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #1,284
- US babies 2025
- 153
- Best rank
- #117 (1968)
- Peak year
- 1962
Meaning and origin of Reginald
Reginald is a Germanic and English name that means “counsel and rule”.
Reginald comes from the Germanic Raginald or Reginwald, made of ragin, counsel or advice, and wald, rule. The Normans brought related forms to England, where the name appeared as Reynold, and the Latinized spelling Reginald was influenced by the Latin regina, queen. It became especially popular in Britain in the nineteenth century. Reginald has a formal, distinguished sound, softened by the friendly nicknames Reggie and Rex. The baseball star Reggie Jackson is a well-known bearer. It suits parents who like a vintage gentleman's name with a lively short form.
Popularity over time
Reginald has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 141 different years. Its best national rank was #117 in 1968, and the most babies received it in 1962, when 2,647 were named Reginald. In 2025, 153 babies were named Reginald, and it ranked #1,284 nationally. That is 40% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #359 in 1920, #175 in 1950, #166 in 1980, #373 in 2000, #615 in 2010, and #1,284 in 2025. Of the 111,551 US boys named Reginald since records began, 22% were born in the 1960s, its biggest decade. The 1950s come next, with 19,338 babies. Since 2010, 4,223 more have been named Reginald.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Kent, Kirk, Gregg, Doug, and Dwayne.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Reginald ranked highest in Louisiana, Michigan, and Georgia.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Reginald is usually pronounced REH-juh-nuhld, with three syllables. It has eight letters, starts with R and ends in “-ld”.
Middle names for Reginald
A few middle names that flow with Reginald: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Reginald
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Lists that include Reginald
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Reginald mean?
Reginald is a Germanic and English name that means “counsel and rule”.
What is the origin of the name Reginald?
Reginald has Germanic and English roots. Reginald comes from the Germanic Raginald or Reginwald, made of ragin, counsel or advice, and wald, rule.
Is Reginald a popular name?
Not especially. Reginald ranked #1,284 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Reginald a boy or girl name?
Reginald is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Reginald?
Reginald is usually pronounced REH-juh-nuhld. 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