Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Ron
BoyScottish, Old Norse· “short form of Ronald, "ruler's counsel"”
- Meaning
- short form of Ronald, "ruler's counsel"
- Origin
- Scottish, Old Norse
- Pronunciation
- RAHN
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #4,361
- US babies 2025
- 24
- Best rank
- #166 (1959)
- Peak year
- 1960
Meaning and origin of Ron
Ron is a Scottish and Old Norse name that means “short form of Ronald, "ruler's counsel"”.
Best known as the short form of Ronald, Ron comes from a Scottish name that was derived from the Old Norse Rögnvaldr, meaning roughly "ruler's counsel" or "advice and power." Norse settlers brought it to Scotland, where it became Raghnall in Gaelic and Ronald in Scots and English. Ron became a standalone name in the twentieth century. Many readers know it from Ron Weasley, Harry Potter's loyal friend in J. K. Rowling's novels. It is said RAHN, in a single syllable. It can also serve as a short form of other names ending in -ron, such as Aaron or Cameron.
Other spellings with the same sound: Rohn.
Popularity over time
Ron first appears in US Social Security records in 1919. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 61 different years, starting in 1934. Its best national rank was #166 in 1959, and the most babies received it in 1960, when 1,888 were named Ron. In 2025, 24 babies were named Ron, and it ranked #4,361 nationally. That is 38% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #4,848 in 1920, #360 in 1950, #494 in 1980, #1,351 in 2000, #2,254 in 2010, and #4,361 in 2025. Of the 36,362 US boys named Ron since records began, 36% were born in the 1960s, its biggest decade. The 1950s come next, with 7,785 babies. Since 2010, 686 more have been named Ron.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Kenny, Bret, Ken, Stuart, and Timmy.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Ron ranked highest in New York and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New York | #1990 | 5 |
| California | #2736 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Ron is usually pronounced RAHN, with one syllable. It has three letters, starts with R and ends in “-on”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Rohn.
Middle names for Ron
A few middle names that flow with Ron: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Ron
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Lists that include Ron
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ron mean?
Ron is a Scottish and Old Norse name that means “short form of Ronald, "ruler's counsel"”.
What is the origin of the name Ron?
Ron has Scottish and Old Norse roots. Best known as the short form of Ronald, Ron comes from a Scottish name that was derived from the Old Norse Rögnvaldr, meaning roughly "ruler's counsel" or "advice and power." Norse settlers brought it to Scotland, where it became Raghnall in Gaelic and Ronald in Scots and English.
Is Ron a popular name?
Not especially. Ron ranked #4,361 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Ron a boy or girl name?
Ron is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Ron?
Ron is usually pronounced RAHN. 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